Siem Reap Angkor

SEAM REAP 

Siem Reap, which literally means the “Defeat of Siam”, is the most prosperous region of contemporary Cambodia. Its close proximity to the Angkor Wat temple complex  has turned the city into one of the world’s premier travel destinations. More than one million travelers visit Siem Reap every year to explore over a thousand years of Khmer heritage built near Tonle Sap Lake,  the foundation of the economic power of the ancient Cambodian empire. The heart of Siem Reap’s tourist district is known as Old Market, or Psah Chas. This part of town is home to a large concentration of restaurants and shops geared towards  an ever-increasing number of American, British and European tourists. The influx of tourism has transformed a quiet little city into a bustling downtown area with an eclectic array of restaurants, bars and nightclubs that rivals any college town along with a night market that keep going well past midnight.

THE THINGS TO DO

Siem Reap welcomes approximately one million tourists per year from the U.S., England, Europe, China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, just to list a few.Beyond the draw of Angkor, Cambodia is one of the poorest…and cheapest destinations in Asia and boasts tropical rain forests and unspoiled jungle that draws its share of ecotourism.    While some families visit, the majority of the American and British tourist we saw were adults in their twenties and thirties.

The official language was until recently still French and you can get buy almost anywhere in town with English, but when you walk down the center of the old town, you can hear a barrage of languages the offers instant confirmation that visitors come from all over the world to experience the historical treasures of Cambodia.  This wave of vacationers has led to the growth of a vibrant shopping, nightlife and entertainment scene. Whether you’re looking for a theater or a dance club, you’ll find lots on like minded people and lots of cheap beer in this trekker’s Mecca.

The Angkor National Museum, home to a breathtaking gallery of 1000 Buddhas, is one of Asia’s premier attractions. This modern facility is devoted to the preservation of Khmer traditions and the history of Angkor Wat. Visitors learn about Cambodia’s temple heritage through a series of video screens and cutting edge displays.

A variety of shopping centers, spas, cafés, parks, and other activities can be found throughout the the old market area.  Don’t expect duty free mall stuffed with high-end boutique shops or even basic necessities.  The local merchants offer a variety of hand made item, local silk goods, world famous Cambodian puppets and an assortment of disturbingly similar goods that could be found at a flee market anywhere in the world.

My favorite Siem Reap temples include Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, but they are all amazing. The sunrise reflecting on the lake is magical, or so we are told.  We arrived at 5:45 am just in time for the rain to let loose. .

Put Siem Reap Cambodia on your do list for vacations and remember that the recommended dates are from October to March when the weather is most comfortable, the temperature is moderate and the sun shines most of the day.  April through August is the rainy season and offers a relentless mix of high temperatures and high humidity– a combination to be missed.  Its these little details that make the difference!