A few days after arriving in Phnom Pehn, we got the privilege of taking a roadtrip to Siem Reap province. I fell in love with Cambodia as a country. Some of my colleagues were so excited to check the “Angkor Wat” visit off their bucket list, while I was out there creating a whole new bucket list, as I crossed it. The beauty of living spontaneously.
Siem Reap province is located in northwest Cambodia.
It is the major tourist hub in Cambodia, as it is the closest city to the world famous temples of Angkor (the Angkor temple complex is north of the city). The provincial capital is also called Siem Reap and is located in the South of the province on the shores of the Tonle Sap Lake, the greatest sweet water reserve in whole Southeast Asia.
The name of the city means Siamese defeated, referring to the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai kingdom in the 17th century.
Tuk-tuks, motorbikes and taxis are a major form of transportation in Cambodia.
The Siem Reap of today is barely recognizable from the Siem Reap of the year 2000. As I remember, our gorgeous tourguide, Pauline, said that there were a countable number of hotels in Siem Reap just a decade ago. You wouldn’t believe just how quickly the city has grown.
Siem Reap is a safe, friendly and pleasant town. There is an endless choice of places to stay or dine and a host of possible activities awaiting the visitor.
Over a million tourists a year pass through Siem Reap, making it the fastest growing place in Cambodia outside of Phnom Penh, the capital city. With a history dating all the way back to the year 802, visiting Siem Reap is a highlight for many people traveling through Southeast Asia. with a wealth of activities and attractions that go far beyond the ancient ruins down the road.
Most international travelers may come to Cambodia solely to visit the temples of Angkor Wat, but there’s more to Siem Reap as the ministry of Tourism in Cambodia sure managed to show us.
What caught my interest was the recurrent statue of the seven headed snake at most monumental locations. Pauline told us that the seven heads represent the seven colors of the rainbow, and that each color represents a different day of the week.
Cambodia is to be experienced, and not particularly explained.
7 happens to be my favorite number, and since 7 is such a lucky number for the Cambodians, Below are seven visual reasons why you should definitely slot Siem Reap into your bucketlist:
1. The Angkor Wat Temple
“Angkor Wat” means “city of monastries”.
2. The Angkor Thom
3. The Bayon Temple
The Bayon Temple is located within the Angkor Thom. With buildings as old as the 1800s, it sure is a sight to see.
3. The Angkor National Museum
If there was one place that we did not visit that I terribly wished we had, that was the Angkor National Museum.
With elements like the Hall of 100 buddhas, it sure does seem like the place you would want to lose yourself exploring and adoring beauty.
4. The Lynnaya Restaurant
Located within the city, the Lynnaya Restaurant will have you sorted if you are looking for some local Cambodian cuisines as well as some international delicacies.
5. The Lynnaya Urban River Resort
And if you are ever feeling a tadbit tired, Lynnaya also has a resort where you can rest and relax for the day and night.
6. The Lotus Blanc Hotel and Resort
And if you’re feeling slightly fancy and in a mood for a romantic dinner, my recommendation is the Lotus Black Hotel. It has an absolutely romantic view at night.
7. The Borei Angkor Resort and Spa
This was the hotel we were sleeping at. Pretty simple, something close to home. It reminded me a lot of the Sunbird Capital Hotel.
I fell in love with the pool area, and the breakfast buffet. By far the best breakfast buffet I had in Cambodia.
And those are my seven things to do in Siem Reap. If you are looking for a place to add to your bucketlist, Siem Reap is a definitely recommendation from me.
All my love,
Ntha