Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Wat and is home to ancient temples, vibrant markets, and rich Cambodian culture. December to February is the best time to visit Siem Reap when the weather tends to be a little cooler than other months and favorable for sightseeing Whether you're an adventurer, history lover, or foodie, Siem Reap has something for everyone! Here are the top 10 places to visit in Siem Reap:
1. Angkor Wat
This UNESCO World Heritage Centre is an architectural marvel with five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters in the sky. It’s the ruins of the world’s largest religious building that was first dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and later became a Buddhist sanctum with four Buddha statues facing different directions. The walls have wonderful scenes depicting “Churning of the Ocean Milk”, Hell and Heaven, War, etc, making it one of the primary places to visit in Siem Reap.
2. Ta Prohm Temple
Ta Prohm Temple, part of Cambodia's Angkor complex, is renowned for its captivating blend of nature and architecture. Built-in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, it features sprawling trees and massive roots intertwined with ancient stone ruins. This unique setting, left largely unrestored, evokes a mystical atmosphere, making it a popular and iconic tourist destination.
3. Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple is a Khmer Temple and the only Buddhist shrine in the Angkor region, otherwise dominated by Hindu temples. It is located in the center of the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. The central characteristic elements of the Bayon temple are huge smiling faces made of large blocks of stone on 37 towers adorning all four sides. Initially, there were 216 stone faces on 54 towers, of which around 200 remain today.
3. Phnom Kulen National Park
Situated on the holy Kulen Mountain, the Phnom Kulen National Park makes for a great getaway from the city, as it takes you into the laps of nature. Situated a bit far from the city, the site houses a slew of ancient temple ruins made of bricks and volcanic stones. The place also has waterfalls over huge multi-tiered rocks where you can swim or simply while away your time amidst verdant greens.
4. Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom is an out-of-the-world place with extremely beautiful temple remains from a bygone era. The Bayon Temple has 54 towers containing 216 stone faces of Avalokitesvara that will leave you wonderstruck. There are lots of other temples like the Preah Khan, Banteay Srei, and the Ta Prohm famous for its ruins wound by tree roots. You’ll need a tuk-tuk to cover all the temples within Angkor Thom.
5. Chong Kneas Floating Village
Chong Kneas Floating Village, nestled on the shores of Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia, is a captivating aquatic community. Home to approximately 5,000 residents, it enchants visitors with its stilted houses, floating schools, and vibrant markets.
The village adapts to the lake's fluctuating water levels, as structures rise and fall with the seasonal tides. Traditional wooden boats navigate the waterways, providing a glimpse into the daily lives of the inhabitants who rely on fishing and aquaculture.
6. Banteay Srey Butterfly Center
Yet another tourist attraction that’s a must-visit is the Banteay Srey Butterfly Center. It is South East Asia’s largest exhibition center and home to thousands of butterflies. They fly freely in a huge netted garden-like area that’s brimming with lush greens and tropical flowers. It is an interactive center that also aims at educating people about a butterfly’s life cycle alongside training individuals in butterfly farming.
7. Neak Pean
Neak Pean is a circular artificial island with a Buddhist temple in the center. There are beliefs that the temple was originally dedicated to Avalokitesvara and the pools here were designed for curing diseases. Your Siem Reap sightseeing is not complete without checking out the sculptures of snakes around the base of the temple.
8. Lotus Farm
If you love lotus flowers and if you have been craving to see thousands of flowers in one single place, the Lotus Farm at Battambang, Cambodia, is the place you have to be. Apart from witnessing the flowers, you can get first-hand experience of how lotus plants are cultivated, and how they are converted into various purposes.
Do not miss to see the lotus fabric production when you come here. This is a process where selected lotus stems are cleaned thoroughly and then cut open to bring out the fibers. These fibers are then spun nicely into a thread by the weaving experts found here.
9. Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary
Siem Reap is not just a place for adventure enthusiasts, but it is also a place for nature lovers and ornithologists. Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is one such place. This mesmerizing bird sanctuary is one of the three biospheres in Tonle Sap Lake and is home to several exotic birds like Adjutant Storks, Milky Storks, and the Spot-Billed Pelican. Come to the park during the dry season between December and March to witness lots of birds.
10. Night Market
The Angkor Night Market gets busy after the sun sets with small shops selling Khmer Artwork and local handicrafts. You can relish local delicacies like lol-lak and barbecued pork! Experience Cambodia’s nightlife at the various restaurants and bars here. There are no better places to visit in Siem Reap for shopping than Night Market.
