Siem Reap – Home of Angkor Wat

Siem Reap is a busy city and a popular destination for tourists who come from all over the world to see the famous Angkor Wat temple complex.

Hundreds of years ago, Southeast Asia was part of the mighty Siam Empire and this is reflected in the current name of the city, Siem Reap, which literally means “to defeat Siam”, which describes the war that is depicted in the temples of Angkor. Wat temple complex.

The first mention of Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples in modern literature was by Antonio da Magdalena, a Portuguese monk who traveled the region in 1586. He described the temples as of “extraordinary construction, impossible to describe with a pen” and noted that they were like “no other building in the world” with “towers and decorations” as refined as the human imagination would believe possible.

The best way to get around Siem Reap is with a rented bike or a Tuk Tuk. Because many foreigners have had accidents, it is no longer possible to rent motorcycles and the alternative, the human-powered bicycle, can be rented for around $ 4-5 per day. There are many bike rental shops in town, and you can also ask your hotel or guesthouse if they have bikes available for rent. The other option, a Tuk Tuk, is better in hot weather.

There are many Tuk Tuks in Siem Reap city and it is impossible to go without transportation. You can hire a Tuk Tuk for short trips that will cost you between $ 1 and $ 2 within the city, or you can hire a Tuk Tuk for the whole day, from before sunrise to after sunset. This will cost you $ 15 per day, however if you decide to visit the distant temples like “bantey srey” you will need to give your Tuk Tuk driver an additional $ 10. Tuk tuk drivers in Siem Reap must register for a tuk tuk license and wear a numbered vest at all times. Remember your Tuk Tuk driver number or you may not be able to identify which one is yours.

Souvenirs popular with tourists, including paintings, carvings, silks and other fabrics, silver items, clothing, DVDs and CDs, as well as ceramics, can be purchased at the Old Market, which is located in the middle of the most lively city. Vendors expect you to make a tough deal, so if you pay more than 2/3 of the asking price, you’re not bargaining hard enough. Always cut the quoted price in half first and play hard. This is a cultural thing and is considered a necessary part of the trade.

The district surrounding the old market is full of restaurants, bars, hotels and cafes, some of which offer Internet service. Many tourists make this a fun place to spend an afternoon, but this part of town definitely transforms into a party haven at night.

“Pub Street” is a central street in Siem Reap that is made available to pedestrians at night, providing a fun street atmosphere with souvenir shops, restaurants, bars and many of Siem Reap’s most popular clubs. As there is no traffic, many of the parties take place on the streets, where vendors and beggars are minimal. Popular clubs on this street include the Temple Club for drinks, music and other entertainment, or the Angkor What? Bar that caters to the backpacker crowd. They are both full every night of the week. Pub Street is definitely worth a visit and no trip is complete without a night in the city of Siem Reap.

If you enjoy Siem Reap, there are plenty of other attractions in Cambodia, with the Sihanoukville beach party scene and the riverside restaurants in Phnom Penh.