Siem Reap is a small city in Cambodia, located near the main tourist attraction of the country - the Angkor temple complex. I have long been interested in the Khmer Empire, and was always amazed that they could build such grandiose structures as Angkor Wat - the world's largest Hindu cultural and architectural monument. And finally I decided to persuade my husband to go and figure it out himself. So we independently traveled to Siem Reap from Thailand for the first time.

• Read more about

Personally, we have been to Siem Reap several times and we are always curious to return to Cambodia. So we will describe our impressions more than once about how the city next door to Angkor is growing and what is changing in it. For now, let's start with how to see this city.

There are six most simple options how to get to Siem Reap in Cambodia:

1. by plane from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and other Asian cities;
2. by bus from neighboring countries - Thailand, Vietnam, Laos;
3. by taxi from the border town of Poipet;
4. by train from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet, and the rest of the way by taxi or bus;
5. by boat from Phnom Penh and Battambang;
6. by helicopter from Phnom Penh and Battambang.

Now I’ll tell you in detail about each method.

By plane

Flying to Siem Reap by plane is the easiest way to come to the city of Angkor. Airlines fly here with direct flights from all neighboring Asian countries and cities. You can only choose the one that is more convenient. By the way, the departure tax from Siem Reap is always included in the ticket price if it is an international flight. If you bought a ticket for a home flight, you will need to pay $12 before departure. It's better to pay in cash.

Here is a list of all airlines flying to Siem Reap and departure cities:

• AirAsia (Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok)
• Air Hanuman (Pattaya)
• Asiana Airlines (Seoul)
• Bangkok Airways (Bangkok)
• Cambodia Angkor Air (Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Bangkok)
• Cathay Pacific Airways - Dragonair (Hong Kong)
• Cebu Pacific Air (Manila)
• China Eastern Airlines (Kongming, Nanning)
• China Southern Airlines (Guangzhou)
• Hong Kong Express (Hong Kong)
• Jetstar Asia (Singapore)
• Korean Air (Seoul-Incheon)
• Lao Airlines (Luang Prabang, Pakse)
• Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur)
• Silk Air (Danang, Singapore)
• THAI Smile Airways (Bangkok)
• Vietnam Airlines (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Luang Prabang)

We recommend watching in advance Flights to Siem Reap via this link >> *
*airlines often have sales, don’t miss the opportunity to buy a ticket at a good price

You can board a plane in your country and, with a transfer in one of the Asian cities, fly to the second international airport of Cambodia. The most convenient way to fly from Moscow is to Siem Reap with a transfer in Bangkok. Transfer from Siem Reap airport to the hotel is usually free if the hotel is already booked, but they will take you to the airport for $5. A taxi from the airport costs $7.

Coming to Siem Rin by bus is also very easy. You can come from states bordering Cambodia. The most popular route to Siem Reap is from Bangkok. There are also excursions from Pattaya to Angkor. Some tourists prefer to do this route on their own, arriving by bus.

• To Siem Reap from Thailand: Buses that do not need to be changed at the border are operated by Nattakarn Bus Company, which departs from Mo Chit North Bus Terminal in Bangkok. All other methods include different variations - how to come to the border from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet, and from there go to the Cambodian city of Poipet and go further to Siem Reap. We have traveled along this route several times and share our experience - history and practical information about).
• To Siem Reap from Vietnam. Travelers to Southeast Asia can also reach Angkor Wat from Vietnam by visiting Cambodia by bus from Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City. Ticket price is from $18 to $25.
• To Siem Reap from Laos. There is another very non-trivial way - to come to Siem Reap from southern Laos - from Pakse ($30) and from the 4000 islands of Don Det ($35). Read the story of how we did this the other way around and managed not to pay the border mafia a dollar.

By bus you can get to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh - $7-15, Sihanoukville - $13-18, Battambang - $5, Kampong Thom - $7, Sisopon - $5 and Poipet - $5 and other cities in Cambodia.

By taxi from Poipet to Siem Reap

Having arrived in Poipet by bus from Bangkok, most tourists do not transfer to another bus, but try to find travel companions in order to save on a taxi ride. A taxi in Siem Reap for 4 people costs $25-45, depending on the impudence of the taxi driver. Official taxis from the center of Poipet cost 25 dollars.

By boat to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh and Battambang

A passenger boat is one of the exotic ways to come to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh and Battambang and see Cambodia along the way.

• From Phnom Penh. This trip along the Tonle Sap River and Lake is feasible from July to March during the rainy and cool season. The boat departs at 7.30 from Phnom Penh and arrives in Siem Reap 6 hours later. The cost of such a trip is $28-30.
• From Battambang- a similar way to get to Siem Reap will take 5 hours and costs $20-25.

By train from Bangok to Aranyaprathet

The railway in Cambodia exists, but does not function to transport passengers. However, you can arrive by train from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet. Then cross the border to Poipet and choose the next method of transportation - by bus or taxi to Siem Reap.

The train departs from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet twice a day - at 5.55 and 13.05. Ticket price is 45-200 baht. Travel time is 4-5 hours. But we must keep in mind that trains in Thailand are always late.

By helicopter to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh and Battambang

In order not to waste time and immediately go to the temples of Angkor, you can order a helicopter and fly to Siem Reap from any city in Cambodia. Charter flights are provided by Helistar Cambodia and Helicopters Cambodia.

The cost of a helicopter flight that seats 5-6 people starts at a thousand dollars. A flight from Battambang costs $1,600, and from Phnom Penh – $4,700.

It will be quite easy for tourists to navigate the city of Siem Reap if they look at its maps in advance.

Open large Google map →

Different colors on the map indicate:

• Blue - Siem Reap attractions, as well as a place to buy tickets to Angkor Wat;
• Orange – airport and bus stations;
• Purple – temples in the city and Angkor Wat;
• Dark brown – bank branches in the city;
• Light brown – gas stations, gas stations;
• Green color – place for renting electric bikes (e-bike);
• Dark red color – hospital and post office;
• Gray – border crossings with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

Siem Reap city maps

Since you need to spend some time in the city, cards will not hurt anyone. But Siem Reap, or rather its tourist part, is very small and it’s quite easy to navigate there.

Map of the tourist area around the Old Market

Siem Reap, and especially its tourist part - the area around the Old Market - is not that big. However, you can use various types transport to move around the city both independently and with the help of a taxi.

• On foot. It's easy. As I said, the city is small.
• By bike. Many guesthouses rent bicycles for $1-3 per day.
• On an electric bike(E-Bike). This newfangled introduction has already paid off in, and has now captured Siem Reap. Electric bikes cost $10 per day (you need a passport to rent). They are usually charged at night, but they can also be charged along the way - pay attention to the special green signs (by the way, they are located along the Small and Large Circles of Angkor). A full charge allows you to travel 42 km. In one hour you can charge an electric bike for 5 km.
• On a motorbike. Since 2016, it has become possible to ride motorbikes in Siem Reap! We personally tried this method of visiting the temples of Angkor and were very pleased with the freedom of movement. Renting a motorbike in Siem Reap costs $10-20.
• By tuk-tuk or remorka. Tuk-tuks can be found everywhere in the city. Decent hotels have their own tuk-tuk drivers who drive you around the city for free. Typically a tuk-tuk ride costs $1. However, always negotiate the price and destination in advance.

One of the main issues that worries travelers is the weather in . Now I will tell you when is the best time to go to Siem Reap. It is worth keeping in mind that, like other countries in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is dominated by monsoons, and under their influence the weather in Siem Reap. There are usually three climate seasons in Cambodia - cool, hot and rainy seasons.

• Cool season(November – January) is characterized by the coldest weather in Siem Reap and Cambodia. But this only means that rain will be rare, and the temperature will remain around 26-29 °C. However, this is the most best time for a visit to Cambodia and Siem Reap. Many of the less accessible attractions during the monsoon season, such as Mount Kulen and the Thousand Lingas River Kbal Spean, will be open to visitors.
• Hot season(February - April) is the most difficult period of the year for traveling in Cambodia. And the main enemy will be the sweltering heat. In Siem Reap at this time the sun heats the air to 40 °C. There is no rain, and rivers and streams are drying up. The surrounding fields may also burn, and there may be smog in the air. Not the most pleasant time to visit Siem Reap, but possible if you can handle the heat. Plus - there are fewer tourists. Never forget to take extra water with you!
• Rain season(May-October) is a good time to visit Siem Reap. And although rain is expected, which means clouds (Mount Kulen and Kbal Spean will be partially inaccessible), usually the bad weather does not last all day. As a rule, rains and thunderstorms occur at night or in the evening, which makes it possible to explore the sights of Siem Reap and Angkor in the first half of the day (from early morning to 16.00). At this time, the temperature stays around 30 °C.

Air temperature in Siem Reap and precipitation by month:

Month	During the day, °C	At night, °C	Amount of precipitation, mm per month	Number of rainy days days per month
January	+26	+20	4	2
February	+28	+22	5	1
March	+29	+24	29	3
April	+30	+25	57	8
May	+30	+25	150	17
June	+29	+25	214	18
July	+29	+25	193	18
August	+29	+25	209	18
September	+28	+25	288	17
October	+28	+25	200	15
November	+27	+23	51	6
December	+26	+21	7	2

A hotel in Siem Reap must be chosen in accordance with your own plans. There are a great variety of places to stay in the city, as they say, for every taste and budget, and every year there are more and more hotels. All hotels in Siem Reap

There are several criteria by which you should choose a hotel or guesthouse:

• Are you a fan of going out in the evening, want to go around all the establishments and have fun in the company of other travelers? Stay close to Pub street. The name of the street alone will tell you that it is noisy and fun here every evening, seven days a week. And the guesthouses are the cheapest. You left your things in the room, you walk around all day and only come back to sleep.
  We recommend choosing from the best options:
  – One Stop Hostel Siem Reap @ Pub Street- grade 8.9
  – Onederz Hostel Siem Reap- grade 9.5
  – Angkor Breeze Central Villa- grade 9.0

• If, on the contrary, you do not want to live in the thick of things and be away from the noisy market, choose quiet streets. The most comfortable hotels in Siem Reap are located a little further from the city center. There are restaurants almost everywhere, just in slightly less concentration. Here are examples of hotels:
  – Oriental Siem Reap- grade 9.5
  – La Maison du Passant- grade 9.4
  – Homestay Chreav- grade 9.6

• If you plan to leave early every day - in particular for dawn at Angkor Wat or go to distant Khmer temples (for example, Banteay Srei or Beng Melia) in the best morning time, when the light is good and there are no people - then you should not choose a hotel with breakfast. But it’s better to think about how to eat on the road - stock up on food the evening before and eat while the tukker is driving you, or stop at some cafe along the way.
  – Viroth's Villa- grade 9.5
  – Sambath Residence- grade 9.4
  – Sala Lodges- grade 9.4

• And if you like to sleep well and have a good breakfast, then be sure to choose a hotel in Siem Rim with breakfast included in the price. And preferably with a swimming pool. By the way, even inexpensive guesthouses in Siem Reap, where room rates are only $10-12, treat their guests to breakfast.
  – The Bayon Villa- grade 9.7
  – Central Indochine D'angkor Hotel- grade 9.3
  – Bunwin Residence- grade 9.3
  

Our hotel in Siem Reap. Very good number with amenities and air conditioning in a quiet location for $11 with breakfast - Oral D’Angkor Guesthouse. Owners: British-Khmer family

• The hotel restaurant will be convenient if you do not want to walk around the city in the evening, but plan to relax in your room after a busy cultural program. Otherwise, it’s easier to go to one of the countless restaurants in Siem Reap and have dinner there.
  – Chronicle Residence & Spa- grade 9.3
  – Sumeru Boutique Hotel & Spa- grade 10.0
  – Residence Indochine D'angkor- grade 9.3

• But a swimming pool, if the budget allows, seems to me to be an almost obligatory criterion. After all, just the opportunity to swim in hot Siem Reap after a tiring day will be the best end to the evening.
  – Dream Mango Villa- grade 9.7
  –Villa b. Maison d'Hôtes Angkor- grade 9.8
  – Silver Palms Residence- grade 9.5

• And finally, if you want to stay in the most luxurious hotel in Siem Reap, we recommend you choose from these:
  – Phum Baitang- grade 9.5 (luxury 5* villa for outdoor recreation. Terrace, spa, swimming pool, garden)
  – The Privilege Boutique- grade 9.6 (unique 5* spa suites in the city)
  – Prince d'Angkor Hotel & Spa- grade 8.7 (5* spa hotel in Cambodian style, the best in the city).

Where to look for hotels in Siem Reap?

As I already said, there are a variety of cafes and restaurants in Siem Reap: from those located right in the hotel, specialized expensive restaurants for wealthy travelers, eateries near the market where you can get large and tasty portions for $1.5 and ending canteens and cafes scattered along the city streets. The central part of Siem Reap, where tourists live, consists entirely of hotels and restaurants, and only occasionally there are shops, banks and government agencies.

• In Siem Reap you can taste any cuisine in the world. Literally everything is represented: Khmer cuisine, Thai, Italian, Chinese, American. Lots of pizzerias and cafes serving sandwiches and burgers, KFC, Burger King - everything! Even vegetarians will be at ease in Siem Reap - almost every eatery has a vegetarian menu!
• Don’t forget that, like in any hot country in Southeast Asia, fruit shakes are popular in Siem Reap, and their price is very low - $1-1.5.
• And the famous Pub Street in Siem Reap, of course, speaks for itself - those who like to drink beer in the company of friends will not be disappointed.
• Recently, many small shops and large supermarkets have opened in Siem Reap, selling an assortment of food, clothing and even souvenirs familiar to any European.

A nice little restaurant in Siem Reap that also has big choice vegetarian dishes

What about myself? Siem Reap city? In recent years, the city has become cleaner, the people have become richer. There are many times more tourists and tukers on the streets. And the Chinese are the bulk of tourists in Cambodia today.

But the first thing that catches your eye when you walk around Siem Reap is the rows of new motorbikes! Yes, yes, now you can explore Angkor on your own by motorcycle! This is just great news for everyone who is so used to freely driving around neighboring Thailand, but in Cambodia was forced to hire a tuk-tuk driver.

However, tukers still carry tourists in their remorkas (tuk-tuks), and those who were more comfortable exploring the temples of Angkor without thinking about routes will still be happy.

Tuk-tuks are not only used to show tourists around Angkor. A truck carrying furniture through the streets of Siem Reap

Cambodia's glory as the country of one dollar is confirmed. There are a couple of tuk-tuks nearby, ready to serve tourists, of course!

And here they are - motorbikes in Siem Reap!

Sights of Siem Reap - what to see

Siem Reap is not a city that is rich in attractions, especially compared to Bangkok. But the residents of Siem Reap are not discouraged, because there are Angkor temples nearby. And yet, if you have daytime time to explore the city, then it’s worth visiting some of the highlights:

After visiting the temples of Angkor, the first thing you should do is relax. But I’ll tell you what to do in Siem Reap during the day and evening.

Things to do in Siem Reap during the day:

In the evening you can go to restaurants or cafes, do some shopping, and visit the night market. You can also spend your evening leisure time in Siem Reap by going to popular performances:

• Dance - highly recommended!

Night market in Siem Reap not much different from daytime. But it is convenient precisely because it works in the evening. The same silver jewelry, T-shirts, paintings, food and other souvenirs. Salons offer massages of any kind right on the street. Foot massage with fish is generally one of the most favorite entertainments in Siem Reap for many tourists. You sit, drink a fruit shake, and the fish do their job.

Trading at the Siem Reap night market begins after dark

Various shows, both decent and not very popular, are still popular in the city of Siem Reap.

We are not big experts on the nightlife of Asian cities, so we cannot tell you about the details of nightlife, but such information can probably be easily found in the relevant blogs and forums. But it cannot be that someone gets bored here in a tourist city. Everyone will find pleasure and leisure to their liking.

Numerous restaurants and bars are open where you can eat very inexpensively, drink beer, cocktails, meet other travelers and agree, for example, to go to distant temples and divide the cost of the trip in half.

All the flags of the world in Siem Reap! But, unfortunately, we could not find the high-quality flags that we bought several years ago. The ones presented are poorly stitched and will not withstand washing.

Sacred souvenirs. You need to be careful when buying Buddha statues. For example, in Thailand there is a rule banning the export of Buddha images. You must carefully read the rules in force in Cambodia and neighboring countries about which souvenirs can be exported and which are prohibited.

But there are a lot of clothes in the markets of Siem Reap - mostly not of very high quality, unfortunately. But if the goal is to buy a couple of t-shirts and pants to wear while on vacation, why not?

The city of Siem Reap is also famous for selling cheap silver. When purchasing, you must choose carefully to get a high-quality product of the highest standard.

And of course, in Siem Reap you can buy paintings to hang in your home upon arrival. The plots are all the same. You just need to choose a topic that is closer to you

If you want to bring a souvenir from Cambodia, then you need to be prepared for the fact that market in Siem Reap most textiles and various crafts are quite Low quality. T-shirts last three washes, the seams are barely stitched, the threads are sticking out. It will take a very long time to find a quality item, unless of course you are lucky the first time.

But what is really worth buying in Cambodia, as a unique and real souvenir, is black pepper from Kampot. If you are not going to Kampot itself, where everything will be cheaper, then it is worth buying it either in any supermarket (cheaper) or at tourist market stalls throughout the city (very expensive). We went to a regular city market for locals, where they sell vegetables, meat and other foodstuffs. There they asked for 5 dollars for half a kilo of not very high quality pepper. And for quality they didn’t agree to take less than $6.5. But the pepper is very good, fragrant, hot and aromatic! And the price is two or even three times lower than in the store!

Pepper from Kampot is the best souvenir you can bring from Cambodia, besides impressions, of course!

Siem Reap. Angkor - how to explore, maps and prices

Every tourist goes to Siem Reap in Cambodia not for the city itself, but with the goal of seeing the temples of Angkor and the famous Angkor Wat!

Angkor Wat

• You can also see the most famous and vibrant temples, including Angkor Wat. The length of the route is 30 km, the time is from 4 to 6 hours for inspection.
• combines the Small Circle with other temples that are located near Siem Reap. The length of the route is 35 km. Time for inspection is 5 - 8 hours.
• - a miniature and unique temple. Many consider it the most beautiful in Cambodia and even place it in front of the Angkor Wat temple itself. It can be added to the Great or Small Circle of Angkor.
• The very first temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, included in. Not the most popular among tourists.
• Standing away from the routes of the Small and Large Circles, but very interesting, is the Banteay Samre Temple.
• Distant temples of Angkor - and. You can only get to the pyramid by car, but you can take tuk-tuks to Beng Melia, but this trip will take half a day.
• — Preah Vihea or Banteay Chma are also worth attention.
• Natural and architectural wonders - Mount Kulen (it was here that Jayavarman II declared himself a god-king) and. They also need to be visited separately, or added to one of the standard routes from Siem Reap to Angkor.
• Ethnographic visit to a floating village on

How can all these attractions of Siem Reap fit into one itinerary - for a day or several days? We will write about all this in detail. And of course we will discuss each route, including non-standard routes that we personally invented, which we tried on our last visit to Siem Reap. Read about routes around Angkor.

Angkor - the main attraction in Siem Reap

Recently, many points have appeared on the central streets of Siem Reap where you can rent a motorcycle (electric or gasoline). We gladly took advantage of this option and happily explored Angkor Wat and other temples on motorbikes. On the main street or near Pub Street, you can go around several offices and choose the scooter you like at a price that suits you. Rental cost is $10-20. But you can bargain.

Gasoline is sold at the central gas station in Siem Reap or from plastic bottles at stalls in various villages.

Here is a short video from Angkor (Banteay Kdei) near Siem Reap:

Tuk-tuk prices in Siem Reap in 2016:

Prices for a tuk-tuk in Siem Reap - how much the big and small circle costs. These are the prices you can use as a guide

Maps of the Angkor temple complex

In this section we will introduce best cards Angkor, available online, which will help you understand the attractions of Siem Reap. And in our other articles we will provide a detailed map diagram for each temple to make it more convenient to understand what kind of structure it is.

The most convenient map for visiting the temples of Angkor and planning a route

Playful tourist map of Siem Reap

Siem Reap - our review

We can say with confidence that it is getting better and cleaner, with more hotels and restaurants appearing. We liked that along with the influx of tourists, civilization is gradually coming to poor Cambodia, and Siem Reap is a clear leader in this indicator. This morning it’s nice to go out onto the balcony and see coconuts engulfed in sunlight. What can be said as a conclusion about visiting Siem Reap in comparison with what was here before:

• Corruption in Cambodia is invincible, and you can only fight it with your feet, that is, without coming here;
• Prices in cheap cafes in Siem Reap have not changed, and in expensive restaurants they have even decreased slightly;
• Hotel prices have also remained unchanged (from $5 to infinity);
• Prices for tuk-tuk at budget guesthouses have not changed;
• But ticket prices to Angkor have increased. Since February 2017, the Angkor pass costs $37 for one day, $62 for three days, and $72 for a week. 2 USD from each ticket goes to support the hospital for children;
• It became possible to travel around Angkor independently on a motorbike or bicycle;
• Travel agencies have appeared offering new interesting tours, for example, to Pre Vihear.

In principle, you can exchange currency in Siem Reap for local riel - at a bank or at a hotel. But there is no real need for this, since in Cambodia US dollars circulate almost as a second national currency. Cambodian riel may end up in your collection when stores give you change that is not a multiple of dollars. It is possible and necessary to pay for your purchase in dollars and riel at the same time. Cambodian riel to US dollar exchange rate: 1 USD = 4000 riel.

• Read more about

First of all, you need to find and compare prices of hotels with discounts on different booking sites. In order not to waste time, we use a convenient search engine - RoomGuru. It immediately searches for the best offers on the Internet and shows the most profitable ones. All that remains is to choose the right one and go on vacation!

With the development of tourism, Siem Reap began to create tourism infrastructure. Today the city has hotels of various levels and price category, and 6 km from Siem Reap there is an international airport, the largest in Cambodia.
I visited Cambodia and Siem Reap with my wife in 2011, the country left a very vivid impression.

How to get to Siem Reap

To buy an air ticket at the best price, it is best to use air ticket search systems that include the largest number of airlines and ticket sales agencies.

How to get to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh (Phnom Penh)

Getting from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is not difficult. The easiest way to do this is by bus; travel time is about 6 hours. Phnom Penh does not have a single carrier to Siem Reap; many companies perform this function. You can buy bus tickets to Siem Reap at hotels and guest houses or travel agencies.
There is also an option along the Tonle Sap River, but it is less convenient, but more romantic.

How to get to Siem Reap from Thailand

Many travelers and tourists, while in Thailand, combine a visit to this country with a trip to Cambodia. In most cases, people enter Siem Reap from Pattaya and Bangkok.

How to get to Siem Reap from Bangkok
1.Air flight, in principle, you can fly for around $100. The flight time is about an hour, well, add the road to the airport and you have to be at the airport 2 hours before departure.
2.Taxi prices start at about 3,000 baht and the journey takes about 4 hours.
3.Bus tickets can be bought, for example, on Khao San Road, at any of the travel agencies, of which there are a lot. Alternatively, you can take a government bus from Mo Chit station. Buses depart every half hour, tickets are sold on the ground floor of the station (inside the building) in booth No. 23. The fare is 212 baht. (subject to change).
Road from the border to Siem Reap
From Thailand you will be taken to the border town on the Thai side of Aranyaprathet, on the Cambodian side there will be the city of Poipet. From Aranyaprathet to the Cambodian border you can take a tuk-tuk, the price is about 100-150 baht. There is also a shuttle bus going to the border with the inscription “free”, in quotes. All they need from you, just like tuk-tukers, but they will also take money from you, is to take you to agencies that issue a visa for a certain fee. After passing the checkpoint, you will be “put” on a free bus, which will take you to the bus terminal, from where you will travel the last 160 km to Siem Reap for about $10.
There is an option get from the border to Siem Reap by taxi, the price in 2013 was $30-35, but you'll have to bargain hard.

How to get from Pattaya to Siem Reap
Here are three main ways to do this.
1. By taxi - the easiest way and the most expensive.
2.Order a transfer from a Pattaya travel agency. The price is approximately 500 baht for 2011. Travel time is 3-4 hours. In my opinion, this is the best way: price, comfort and effort. A minibus picks you up directly from your hotel.
3. By bus, which departs from the bus station on North Road near Sukhumvit Road. Bus passing from Bangkok ticket price 250 baht. The ticket can be purchased in advance. The bus takes you to the town of Aranyaprathet, bordering Cambodia.
Personally, I ordered a transfer from an agency where a Russian guy worked and he gave us the whole schedule of how and where to go at the border.

We got to Siem Reap from Pattaya by ordering a transfer from one of the travel agencies. On the way we were taken to this cafe. where they offer to obtain a visa to Cambodia “without problems,” but the price is several times higher. In fact, there are no special problems when obtaining a visa at the Cambodian border.

Border between Cambodia and Thailand

Now in Cambodia

How to get to Siem Reap from Vietnam

Siem Reap can be reached by plane from the main cities of Vietnam without transfers. While in Ho Chi Minh City, you can also get to Siem Reap by bus, the journey will take 12-14 hours. Most likely there will be two transfers at the Vietnam-Cambodia border and in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. Tickets can be purchased from Ho Chi Minh City travel agencies.

Attractions, what to see and do in Siem Reap

The main attraction of Siem Reap, of course, is Angkor, which is located 6 km from the city itself.

In addition to Angkor, the city has a number of other places worth visiting.
Siem Reap has several interesting temples, which Buddhists call Wat.
is a large and very beautiful temple, which is located almost in the center of Siem Reap.

On the walls at Wat Preah Prom Rath are paintings depicting the life of Buddha.

Reclining Buddha statue at Wat Preah Prom Rath.

This is one of the oldest and most revered temples in the city; paintings from the 19th century have been preserved on its walls.

Wat Bo is one of the oldest and most revered temples in the city. The wat was created in the 18th century and has 19th century paintings on its walls.

12 km. from Siem Reap on a mountain 140 meters high there are ancient ruins of a temple built by Yashovaraman I around the 10th century.

Staircase to Prosat Phnom Kraom.

Ruins of Phnom Krom

Next to the ruins there is a very picturesque small Buddhist temple, and from the mountain itself there are beautiful views of the entire area.

Phnom Kraom Mountain offers views of the entire area.

On Phnom Kraom, you can order a table with champagne or something stronger, which will sit right on the grass, and you will watch the sunset in such a romantic atmosphere.

Angkor National Museum The museum tells the history of Khmer culture and civilization. The museum is very modern and interactive, it has eight halls, each dedicated to a different topic. Opening hours: daily from 8:30 to 18:00. Entry fee is $12.

Cambodia Cultural Village In this theme park-museum, you can get acquainted with the life and life of numerous peoples of Campoja since ancient times. In fact, there are 11 villages in the park belonging to individual cultures living in the Kingdom of Cambodia. In each of the villages you can watch traditional performances, including wedding ceremonies, acrobatic and dance shows, elephant shows, as well as the traditional Apsara dance. There is even a wax museum here, telling about historical events and famous personalities, from ancient times to modern times. There is a traditional restaurant in the village. The opening hours of the cultural village are from 9:00 to 21:00. Admission is $11, free for children.

War Museum (Siem Reap War Museum) On the Road from Siem Reap to the airport there is a military museum. Large exhibits are displayed in the open air - tanks, helicopters, airplanes, many of which are already overgrown with grass and are not in very good condition. Some of the equipment was most likely moved here after it was hit. Entry to the museum costs $3.

Crocodile farm. Just like in Siem Reap itself, you can buy products made from crocodile leather, only much more expensive. Sellers explain this by guaranteeing that they do not have counterfeits.

Apart from a souvenir shop and enclosures with crocodiles, there is nothing else on the farm.

Siem Reap hotels where to stay

Today in Siem Reap there is a large selection of accommodation, for every taste and budget, from 5 to 200 $ per night. To choose a hotel or guest house in the city, it is better to use hotel search systems, which include the largest number of booking agencies. You can use the hotel search form on the website; it includes more than 100 hotel reservation systems, including well-known leaders in this segment booking.com and agoda.com. Before booking a hotel, check its location and what amenities are available.

And in this hotel we lived in a room for two with all amenities, for only $7 per night.

A coconut tree grew right in front of our window.

Transport

There is no public transport as such in Siem Reap. Transport is provided in the form of tuk-tuks and taxis. As elsewhere in Asia, you should bargain, the price can really be reduced several times. A trip within the city will cost 0.5-1 dollar. Most places in the city itself are not difficult to reach on foot, since the city is not big at all. Many hotels rent bicycles from $1 to $5 per day, and some are even free. But don't forget about the heat; if you go cycling, take enough water with you.
For sightseeing, it is better to rent a vehicle for a day or several days. In 2011, I hired a driver in a Japanese car with air conditioning for 3 days and he took us not only to the sights, but also everywhere we wanted, for $95 (for some reason he didn’t bargain). Later I learned that renting a car with a driver for the whole day starts from $25.

Cafe in Siem Reap

Like 0 Bad 0

In the north of Cambodia there is a small but popular town among tourists. It is called Siem Reap, which means “victory over Siam”. Its population is 200,000 people.

The city was founded in the ninth century. Now there are many hotels, restaurants, shops, banks, bars, cinemas, and an international airport. In general, in Siem Reap everything has been done to make travelers feel comfortable and not need anything. There are no skyscrapers in the city, most buildings have two to four floors, Siem Reap does not look like a big city, people feel comfortable in it.

Five kilometers from the city lies one of the most valuable and important attractions in East Asia. Angkor Wat is a temple complex. Previously, this was the capital of the Khmer state.

Legend has it that the temple was built by the son of God; after seeing his father’s home, he wanted the same beautiful structures to stand on the ground. There is a moat around the temple. The five towers of the structure can be seen from afar. Their shape is unusual. The towers are famous, they have become a symbol of the country. You can see their images on the coat of arms and flag of the country. There are many sculptures on the temple grounds.

Silk fabric has long been considered noble. Not far from Siem Reap there is a silk farm. Here visitors can see the fabric production process. The guide will tell you about each stage of fabric production, you will see workshops, learn how to dye silk and draw on it. Natural dyes for fabric are produced near the farm. There is also a store nearby with souvenirs, various items and clothing.

There is a farm in the south of the city. It was opened in the second half of the 20th century, and for ten years it was a zoo. Then the farm became private property. There is no fight here to preserve and increase the animal population; the farm owners have commercial interests.

At the crocodile farm, tourists can look at exotic animals. There are about three hundred of them here. Moreover, crocodile leather production is located here. There are swimming pools on the farm for their habitat. You can make your trip unforgettable by feeding the predators duck, chicken or fish. This can be done for a fee. There is a shop next to the farm that sells a variety of crocodile leather products such as belts and bags, as well as stuffed animals.

Ruler Jayavarman VII had a large army of elephants. She brought fear to all the king's enemies. The ruler decided to make a terrace in their honor. Parades and ceremonies used to take place at this site. Now this place is valued as an architectural monument of the twelfth century. There are many sculptures and images of elephants on the terrace. You can also find images of war scenes and horse sculptures here. Travelers can take wonderful memorable photographs here and immerse themselves in an old era and foreign culture.

Bayon is a large temple glorifying Buddha. It was built in the twelfth century. The temple consists of stone blocks that look like heads and has three terraces. Near the walls of the building there are statues of lions. On the walls of the terraces you will see images of historical events, everyday life, and scenes from mythology.

The central tower symbolizes the center of the world. Previously, there was a statue of Buddha on it, but only its remains have reached us. Not counting the central tower, there are 52 towers on the temple grounds, but they are not that tall. The temple is a very valuable and important heritage of the country.

The temple did not reach us in the form in which it was created, since the building material was of poor quality. Now it is in a dilapidated state. It is assumed that the temple was founded in the twelfth century. The temple represents several architectural movements. Today the temple is recommended.

In the Cultural Village, visitors will see more than ten villages. The place will introduce you to the life, history, architecture and culture of the peoples of the country. There is a wax museum here. It showcases famous people of the country: kings and queens, monks, generals, dancers, movie stars. Moreover, the museum shows various historical scenes, miniatures of architectural monuments: palaces, temples.

In the museum you will learn about the history of the country from antiquity to the present day. Music and dance performances also take place here.

The tunnel is located in the Cultural Village. Its location is under a rock. The tunnel shows hell as the Khemers imagined it. People who have committed many sins during their lifetime end up here. During the tour, visitors will learn for what sins sinners are subjected to what punishment.

Previously, artisans created magnificent temples, which still amaze travelers with their splendor. The goal of the school is to develop new masters. The school is attended by people who have no education and no great wealth; they are taught for free. The school hopes to revive a forgotten tradition.

After driving fifty kilometers from the city, you will see Mt. There is a beautiful waterfall here. And next to it there is a temple small sizes. It was built in the 9th century. There is also a statue of Buddha located here. A colorful forest and river will also open before the eyes of travelers. The mountain offers a magical view that will not leave anyone indifferent.

There is a temple 25 kilometers from the city. It was built at the end of the tenth century and consists of three towers. There is a moat next to the building. Despite the fact that the temple is quite small, it should not be ignored.

The material for the construction of the masterpiece was pink sandstone. The chosen material is quite durable, so the architectural monument has been well preserved to this day.

The main city market sells a large amount of fruit. Their prices are inexpensive, so they are in great demand among travelers. You can also buy souvenirs, shoes, clothes, accessories and jewelry here.

River Kbai Spean

There is a river near the city. It flows through the jungle. The place is unique. At the bottom of the river, travelers see many carved pictures. There are images of animals and gods. The creation of the monument dates back to the time when the Indians arrived at this place. If you walk along the river, you can see a waterfall.

The airport is located eight kilometers from the city. You can come here by taxi. Tickets are sold in the building. From here it is convenient to go on excursions to various attractions. This airport is the largest in the state. You can buy tickets here for both international and domestic flights. The halls of the building are spacious, the airport itself is convenient. There is also a small garden, shops, a bookstore, and a cafe.

When French colonization ended in the country, the residents were very happy. The population to this day believes that it owes its modern history to this event. The monument is a symbol of freedom, liberation from colonization. There is a copy in Siem Reap, the original monument is located in Phnom Penh.

The structure is modern interpretation old Khemer buildings. The monument includes several tiers, at the edges of each of them there are cobra heads. The height of the monument is twenty meters. There are spotlights next to the monument, so in the evening the monument is especially beautiful. During holidays, a flag is hung on the monument.

The supermarket is located in the city center in a multi-storey building. It was built in 2011. On the ground floor of the building there are shops, there are more than a hundred of them. There are restaurants and rooms on the second and third floors. The top floor offers a beautiful view of the city. On the balconies of the building there are flower beds with exotic plants. The supermarket is very popular among travelers and locals.

Location: Wat Bo Road.

There is a plantation not far from Siem Reap. Lotuses are fabulously beautiful flowers. They attract tourists with their beauty. But what is important to local residents is not the wonderful appearance of flowers, but their benefits. The seeds of the flower are used as sweetness. The leaves of the flower are used as packaging material. And lotus roots are the raw material for flour.

Siem Reap (Siem Reap)

Siem Reap is the most visited city in Cambodia. It is here that the Angkorr Wat temple complex is located, which approximately 2 million tourists come to see every year. Cambodia's second largest airport is located here. In 2017, it received 1.5 million travelers.

The city was founded by the Khmers in 802, who significantly influenced the culture of neighboring Thailand (especially religion, architecture and dance).

For many years nothing was known about the city, until in the 19th century. the French colonialists did not find it in the jungle either. Then this place was just a small village.

Add

× Before adding an information block, please read the advertisement on the site.

Tourists began visiting Siem Reap only at the end of the 20th century. The city suffered greatly from bombing during World War II, the Vietnam War, and from the bloody regime of the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot. According to unofficial data, from 1975 to 1979. About three million Cambodians died. The country is still recovering from terrible losses. More than half of the population is under 30 years old. The official language is Khmer.

How to get there

Siem Reap is located in the north-west of the country, 300 km. from the capital of the country - the city of Phnom Penh. Both cities have international airports that receive tourists from dozens of countries around the world. Slightly more than half of tourists travel by plane. The rest take buses from large cities in neighboring countries - Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Ticket prices vary ($10 to $20).

Attractions

The Angkor Wat temple complex is the largest religious complex in the world. Its territory is 2.5 sq. km. The complex consists of hundreds of temples scattered in the picturesque jungle. The most popular of the temples are Bayon, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm. The cost of a 1-day ticket is $37. To get to the temples, you can buy a tour or rent a local tuk-tuk taxi ($20) for half a day.

Cambodia Landmine Museum - the museum displays hundreds of types of mines, most of which were found and cleared by Cambodian Aki Ra. However, today more than a thousand dangerous shells are buried in the country.

Silk Factory (Angkor Silk Farm) - free excursions are organized here every day, where they tell you step by step and show the process of making silk fabrics. At the end of the tour, you are invited to visit a souvenir shop with factory products. There is no requirement to buy anything.

Pub Street and Night Market is perhaps the first place tourists visit in Siem Reap. There is an incredible variety of souvenirs, bars and restaurants here. They offer massages on every corner ($3). One of the popular entertainments is fish massage ($2). You need to put your feet in an aquarium with fish that will bite the rough skin of your feet. Nightlife in the city is vibrant every night, as the price of a glass of beer is only ($0.50).

Currency

The official currency of the country is the riel (KHR).

100 rubles = 7000 KHR

However, the American dollar is widely used in the country (only paper bills); instead of coins, change is given in riel.

Prices in stores and restaurants are indicated in dollars. The euro is not popular in the country. In some stores you can pay in euros, but at the dollar exchange rate.

Food

It is unlikely that before arriving in Cambodia, any of the tourists suspected that there was such a thing as Cambodian cuisine. Having visited the country, you can be pleasantly surprised at how varied and tasty the food is in Cambodia.

Popular dishes:

Amok (fish/chicken/tofu) is the most popular dish. Traditionally it is served in banana leaves or coconut. Most often, the dish is prepared from fish, adding ginger, lemongrass, turmeric and coconut milk. Amok is served with steamed rice. The dish is very tender and not at all spicy.

Lok Lak - marinated pork, beef or chicken in green Khmer pepper sauce (not hot). Serve with vegetables and rice.

Khmer red curry - made from meat, fish or tofu, using coconut milk, turmeric, vegetables and other spices.

At any time of the year, the market will offer tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, etc. You can also buy them already peeled and cut - fortunately, the prices are not high at all. Nearby there are tents where they make fruit smoothies and freshly squeezed juice.

For the amusement of tourists in Siem Reap, they also sell fried beetles, scorpions, and frogs.

Where to stay

In Siem Reap there are hotels to suit every taste and budget. Moreover, all options are very clean and tidy with polite English-speaking staff.

Student hostels ($3-10) - travelers with backpacks from Europe, America and Australia stay here. The rooms have bunk beds that can sleep up to 10 people. Many hostels have a bar, billiards and an outdoor swimming pool. Prices for private rooms start from $12. For example: Siem Reap Pub Hostel, Kafu Hostel.

Inexpensive 4-star hotels ($15-60) - the difference between such hotels and more expensive ones is that the rooms are furnished a little less luxuriously. These are private small hotels, also with a swimming pool and large green areas. Good options: The Pleasant Villa and The Botanic Villa & Restaurant
Luxury 5-star hotels ($80-300) - hotels of famous world chains, such as Park Hyatt Siem Reap and Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort.

Precautionary measures

Siem Reap is a calm and safe city. As in most Asian cities, practice good hygiene and don't drink tap water. Also make sure that the water cap from the store is tightly screwed on. It happens that poorly filtered tap water is bottled.

At land borders, border guards require $35 for a visa to the country. However, don't be fooled - its official price is only $30. Be careful in the market. Sellers first quote double or even triple prices. And local tuk-tuk taxi drivers often offer to buy illegal drugs. However, at night the police patrol the streets and have the right to search suspicious tourists.

The fine for possession or use of prohibited substances is $500-$300 or imprisonment.

When in another country, be careful and careful, and do not break the law.

Map

Siem Reap - map in Russian. Sights and interesting places of Siem Reap on the map.

Preah-Kan. Temple, ruins and Buddhism.

Elephant Terrace. Elephant Terrace - located in Angkor Thom on the Royal Square. The length of the basement is approximately 300 meters.

Let's be honest with each other and with Cambodia: if there weren't such a powerful Siem Reap landmark as Angkor, no one would know about this town. But although one day is enough to explore the ancient capital, many tourists stay in Siem Reap for a longer period. And so that they would not die of boredom, the Khmers quickly invented new attractions in Siem Reap. Many of them are very worthy of attention.
What to do in Siem Reap: attractions and excursions

Yes, I was also very surprised when I found out that the attractions of Siem Reap exist))) Moreover, you can easily find what to do in Siem Reap if you have a day free from visiting Angkor. Or even two. And our article will help you with this.

Siem Reap attractions: what to see and do

The good thing about Siem Reap’s attractions is that you can get to them all quickly and for just $1. Well, or a maximum of two - this is the tariff of local taxi drivers. And in general, prices in Siem Reap are quite low.

The downside is that many of the attractions of Siem Reap are, so to speak, somewhat exaggerated and made in a hurry just to get your money. Therefore, out of all the options for what to do and see in Siem Reap, we have selected seven of the most interesting. But before moving on to their description, we advise you to read our other useful articles about Cambodia:

So, entertainment and attractions of Siem Reap: where to go in a city where there is nowhere to go?

1. Pottery master class

official site

If you don’t know what to do in Siem Reap, be sure to take a master class at the ceramics school! And you will take with you not only pleasant memories, but also pleasant crafts.

2. Khmer Circus

There are no clowns or trained dogs here. The circus in Siem Reap is more of a theater where acrobats, jugglers and other circus artists will show you scenes from Khmer myths and legends, as well as from the life of ordinary people. Performances start every day at 19:30, adult tickets start from $18, children's tickets start from $10.

• Khmer Circus in Siem Reap, official site

3. Cooking master class

Almost every reputable cafe in Siem Reap offers a master class on cooking Khmer cuisine, as is always stated on the sign on the gate. In our opinion, Khmer cuisine is even closer to Europeans than Thai: at least not a single Amok or Lok Lak forced us to order a double portion of juice or tea to quench the fire in our mouths. And in Thailand this happened often. average price one-hour culinary master class in Siem Reap – $20.

Here are the websites of several Siem Reap restaurants that offer cooking classes:

Khmer cuisine is no less tasty than Thai, and not as spicy. And the ingredients for many dishes - such as - can be found in Russia.

4. Khmer boxing

The official name of this martial art is Kun Khmer. In general, it is very similar to, but it has its own aspects. One of the best boxing stadiums in the country, CTN Angkor Arena, is located in Siem Reap. Fights with the participation of the country's best athletes take place twice a week: on Mondays (starts at 17:30) and Wednesdays (starts at 15:30). The start time of the show may change, check on the official website. Entrance ticket price starts from $15.

• CTN Angkor Arena, official site

5. Siem Reap Museums

If you are a history buff, including very recent history, then these Siem Reap attractions are at your service.

There are three museums in the city. Foremost - Angkor National Museum(Angkor National Museum), where you can see archaeological artifacts and learn the history of Angkor, including multimedia presentation. Admission is $12 plus $2 for photography and video.

Many of Siem Reap's attractions, including the Angkor National Museum, are located in the heart of the city.

Siem Reap Military Museum(War Museum) will show you the different types of weapons that were used during the wars in Cambodia at the end of the 20th century. Including (well, what would we do without them) a Kalashnikov assault rifle and a T-34 tank. Admission is $5.

Anti-Personnel Mine Museum(Cambodia Land Mine Museum) is an eerie place and at the same time a charitable organization, where you will see mines, bombs and other means of genocide of your own people - a favorite pastime of people who, until recently, were in power in this country.

• Angkor National Museum, official site
• Siem Reap Anti-Personnel Mine Museum, official site

6. Old Market

The market is like a market))) On the one hand, there is an opinion that prices there are too high. On the other hand, there is nowhere else to buy souvenirs from Siem Reap. Therefore, if you want to take a piece of Cambodia (made in China) with you, this is the place for you.

7. Pub Street

What to do on this short but pretty street is clear from its name))) Draft beer here is probably the cheapest in Siem Reap. But it’s worth coming here not even for a drink, but for a pleasant, peaceful atmosphere at the end of a hard day spent sightseeing in Siem Reap.

Sights of Siem Reap: Pub Street is somewhat similar to Bangkok's Khao San. Only the backpackers here no longer have backpacks and are not yet trading. It’s also very hot there, so in the photo I’m actively cooling down. What did you think?)))