Siem Reap

During the 20th century, Siem Reap ‘Thailand Destroyed’ grew from being a small village into a vibrant city catering to tourists visiting Angkor Wat. In the city you will find a variety of cuisine, accommodation options, shopping, and adventure activities from motorbike tours, to hot air ballon rides.

The main reason for visiting Siem Reap of course is Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious monuments in the world. However, it would be a mistake to make this the only temple or monument you visit. Indeed there are at fourteen other spectacular temples worth visiting in the area.

Shopping and eating in Siem Reap

In Siem Reap there are a number of distinct shopping, drinking and eating areas. In the south of the city there is the central shopping and restaurant area next to Phsar Chas (old market). This area comes to life after sunset. The area is filled with bars, massage spas, and restaurants. The busiest and most popular place in the city after dark for backpackers and party goers is Pub Street. Pub Street is 100m long stretch of pubs and nightclubs stretching from the Red Piano Restaurant to the Banana Leaf Restaurant. Two of the biggest clubs on the street are the Temple Club and Angkor What? And if you’re hungry you’ll find local food, western favourites and even insect snacks that can be washed down with 50 cent draught beers.

A more local experience

If you’d prefer to rub shoulders with the locals a night out at Khmer Pub Street or a visit to the Siem Reap Container Bars would be great alternative option. Located just off of Charles De Gaulle and the Tara Angkor Hotel you’ll find a plaza made entirely of cargo containers and over 20 container bars. Towards the front of the plaza is a huge stage, where performers sing every weekend. This is a Siem Reap must see attraction. Yet despite the millions of tourist that visit Siem Reap each year outside of the city it remains one of the poorer provinces in Cambodia due to the poor quality of the soil. As a result most farmers struggle to make a living.

Siem Reap and the surrounding area

Siem Reap Province actually has a lot to offer apart from the temples of Angkor. Bordering the Tonle Sap Lake, it is part of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, and home to rare and endangered wildlife. In addition, about 60km north of Siem Reap town are the Kulen Mountains. Although perhaps not mountainous by general standards, they are in stark contrast to the flat horizons of Cambodia’s rice fields. With thick jungle, beautiful waterfalls, and hidden ruins, it is a fantastic place to explore and very popular with Cambodian families at holiday time.

Visit Siem Reap and learn the ancient fighting arts of Cambodia

If you wish to visit Siem Reap and the Temples of Angkor, why not combine it with learning the ancient fighting arts of Cambodia and the Khmer Empire? Recently we’ve partnered with Kingdom Fight Gym in Siem Reap. A gym which is dedicated to preserving Kun Khmer the ancient martial art from the Khmer Empire. Kingdom Fight Gym offers intensive training camps and drop in classes in this unique Cambodian martial art. Kun Khmer shares the same roots with Muay Thai, Muay Lao and Lethwei and since the end of Pol Pot’s totalitarian regime has found a new resurgence in Cambodia. During this time the sport was made contraband and nearly all records of it put to the torch.

Cambodia’s combat sport

Those who would rather watch Kun Khmer rather than practice the art can visit the Angkor Arena in Siem Reap on the road to Angkor Wat. There you’ll find some of the biggest names in Kun Khmer. All bouts are accompanied by traditional music and tickets can be purchased on site. Typically fights are held every Wednesday from 3:15-5:15pm.

If you would like to find out about the best things to do in Siem Reap click the link.