Sights

Overlook floating village in Siemreap

Rattanack Ath

Siem Reap is the city starting point for excursions to Angkor Wat. Only a few kilometers north of the city sits one of the worlds most impressive temple grounds - with a whole collection of significant and very distinct temples. Perhaps it is rather no surprise that sights in the city are rather limited in comparsion the World heritage nearby. However Siem Reap is worth exploring, not only for the bustling bars, cafes and atmosphere (tourism has brought realtive wealth to this district) but also for such sights as the floating village on Tonle Sap lake, (the lake shoreline changes dramatically between the wet and dry seasons, so the floating village moves with it) as well as the Silk Farm out past the airport, West Baray - a man-made lake just past the airport (catch a boat to the island where there are ruins and a small contemporary Buddhist shrine) and the war and landmine museum, also near the airport. This is a stark reminder of the tragedies of the 1970s and early 1980s. Further out from town are the Koulen Mountains - where there are waterfalls: though be warned, tourists are changed a steep admission.

Contributors
February 18, 2007 change by duncan stuart (3 points)
March 26, 2004 change by giorgio

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Angkor Wat

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Angkor Wat
photo by: Out of the Grey

Probably the reason why tourists come to Siem Reap in the first place. Most people have heard and read about Angkor Wat, but a visit is a must!
Visit the magnificent Angkor temple complex, built between the 9th and 13th centuries by the Khmer Empire. In the morning, visit the Roluos Temple Group, then return to Siem Reap for lunch. In the afternoon, spend two and a half hours touring majestic Angkor Wat before climbing up to Phnom Bakheng to enjoy a magnificent sunset over Angkor and its surroundings.

type:	Landmarks
World66 rating:	[rate it]
openingHours:	Pre-dawn to dusk
url:	www.affiliate.viator.com

West Baray

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West, just past the airport is a turnoff from the big No6 Road that takes you to the shore of the rectangular lake West Baray, made during the Jayarvaman dynasty of the Angkor empire. The lake size depends on the wet or dry season, but in the middle is a small island on which there are ancient ruins as well as contemporary Buddhist shrine. The boatride out here is quiet - there isn't much boat traffic here - and the island is likely to have a handful of people on it: vendors who are willing to sell silk (but they politely leave you alone) as well, quite more..

type:	Landmarks
World66 rating:	[rate it]
accessibility:	Easy. Go by tuk tuk.
address:	Just west of the airport.

Floating Village

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Overlook floating village in Siemreap
photo by: Rattanack Ath

South of Siem Reap is Tonle Sap lake which feeds the Tonle Sap river that joins Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. Incredibly the river flows South during the wet season, then switches direction during the dry season and feeds into Tonle Sap lake. The shoreline shifts dramatically, and the floating village provides locals with a constant presence on the water - for fishing and their livelihood. In fact not only are there houseboats here, but a school, market stalls and bars. The village is mainly peopled by folk of Vietnamese extraction. To get here, take a tuk tuk - it is an more..

type:	Streets
World66 rating:	[rate it]
accessibility:	Easy
address:	Just south of Siem Reap

Zoo

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A new zoo park (April 2001) of about 50 kinds of mammals and birds is newly opened in Siem Reap town. It’s located 500m on the way to Angkor complex.

type:	general
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Shrine to Ya Tep

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In front of the royal residence is a statue of Ya Tep, a neak-ta. Neak-ta are powerful spirits connected to a particular area of land. Ya Tep is local to Siem Reap and is said to help bring protection (and winning lottery numbers) to the faithful. Offerings of chicken skins can often be seen around the shrine.

type:	general
World66 rating:	[rate it]