Sights and landmarks in Siem Reap

Sights and landmarks in Siem Reap

1. See

   APOPO

   A demining organization that uses trained rats to sniff out land mines, a strategy which is much faster and safer than using metal detectors (if the rats step on a mine, they are too light to set it off). The visitor's center has guided tours including examples of land mines and UXO (unexploded ordnance) and a demonstration of how the rats find mines. The tour takes about 45 minutes and is a fascinating way to learn about the problem of land mines in Cambodia and support demining work. The guide's English may be hard to understand, but the demonstrations are so interesting, the tour is well worth doing anyway.

   Daily tours every half hour 08:30–11:30 and 13:00–16:30·US$10

2. See

   Angkor Botanical Garden

   Beautifully kept gardens and mini zoo and playground with Rukha Cafe & Restaurant and a kids' library. A great place to visit just after visiting Apopo.

   free entry

3. See

   Angkor Eye

   An 85-m-high Ferris wheel with 48 four-person baskets able to accommodate up to 192 people. The trip takes 18 minutes. It is the third highest Ferris wheel in Asia.

   Daily 14:00–18:00·Adult US$12, child US$6

4. See

   Angkor National Museum

   A modern museum with exhibits covering the history of the Khmer Empire, and the art, architecture, clothing, and culture of Khmer civilization, with a special focus on the Angkor complex. It is worth spending a couple of hours in the air-conditioned galleries as a break from visiting temples. Lots of pre-Angkorian and Angkorian statues, plus informative videos. Some say the 1,000 Buddhas room is as impressive as it sounds. The gift shop has some lovely souvenirs and fascinating books, but they're very overpriced. Visitors are required to check bags, water, and hats at the entrance (for free). Photography prohibited.

   Daily 08:30-18:00·US$12; audio guide in many languages US$5 (credit card accepted)

5. See

   Apsara Theatre

   Showcases Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage, traditional performing arts. Dancers, singers and musicians.

   Daily performance 20:30-21:30·US$33

6. See

   Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre

   Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre is a community development project and tourist destination just down the road from the Landmine Museum and Banteay Srey temple. Revenue from admissions is used to pay families in remote villages who are farming butterflies for the exhibit. The project makes a real difference to the farmers' livelihoods and provides a wonderful experience for visitors as they can see spectacular local butterfly species flying close at hand in a beautiful tropical garden.

   09:00-1700·US$4 adults, US$2 children under 12

7. See

   Butterfly Paradise

   A park with butterflies amongst many species of plants and flowers, with waterfalls and ponds.

   Sun-Fri 09:00-16:30·US$10 adult, US$7 child, US$4 Khmer adult, US$2 Khmer child

8. See

   Flying Foxes

   A large colony of day time flying fruit bats (they can see unlike most smaller species of bat), can be found hanging around in some of the tall trees in the parkland adjacent to the Royal Residence, an amazing sight you don't expect to see in the center of town.

9. See

   Kampong Phluk Floating Village

   This mangrove forest offers a much more authentic floating village experience than the one close to the Tonlé Sap ferry harbour. This fascinating fishing village on stilts can be reached by tuk-tuk, motorcycle, or taxi from Siem Reap. It takes about 1 hour to reach the village, depending weather conditions. Beware of scams. In addition to the tuk-tuk or taxi fare, the boat to take you around the village costs US$25 per person (which drivers will often conveniently forget to mention until you're almost there). In the dry season the village just has the appearance of a bunch of houses on stilts over the mud, but is still somewhat interesting as you can see the houses' structure. After touring the village you can eat in a floating restaurant with views of the lake.

   US$25

10. See

    Landmine Museum

    This tiny museum was set up by local deminer Aki Ra to educate locals and tourists about the dangers of land mines. Piles of defused mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) lie around the site and the guides are mostly teenagers who were orphaned or injured by mines, many of whom live on-site. This is a very worthwhile attraction that brings home the scale of the problem and shows you a slice of real Cambodia. Used clearance charts from their demining operations are available for purchase at the gift shop, letting you buy the organization's waste to support their operations.

    Daily 08:00–17:00·US$5

11. See

    Lotus Silk Farm

    The lotus silk farm offers guided tours every hour, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the lotus silk production process. For those seeking a more hands-on experience, the farm also offers handicraft workshops where participants can learn Cambodian traditional handicraft techniques. The farm features a shop with variety of lotus silk products, cosmetics and jewels, and a tea lounge where guests can savor traditional lotus tea.

    Daily 08:00-18:00·Adult US$5, free for kids less than 12

12. See

    Phare The Cambodian Circus

    Phare performers use theater, music, dance, comedy and modern circus arts, to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. It's typically a 15-minute tuk tuk ride from Siem Reap town centre ($3).

    Nightly 1-hr performances at 20:00·Adult US$18-38, child (5-11) US$10-18

13. See

    Phnom Bok

    The highest hill in the area. Temple ruins similar to those found atop of Phnom Krom and Phnom Bakong can also be found on top of Phnom Bok. It lies 20 km to the north east of Siem Reap. Expect a tiring hike up the stairs. A guard may be able to show you around. Don't forget to check out the old howitzers from the civil war. Admission is free, no pass is needed for the Angkorian ruins.

14. See

    Phnom Krom

    The hill which dominates the view, as you approach the floating village of Chong Kneas from Siem Reap. At the top, temple ruins similar to the other two hills can be found. This particular hill is popular for sunsets, as it can be viewed over the flooded plains during the wet season, and over incredibly vibrant rice fields in the dry season.

15. See

    War museum

    Collection of old (mainly Russian) tanks, artillery, landmines, handguns etc. Also some history background about the Cambodian civil war is displayed. Worthwhile for a 1-2 hour visit if interested in military.

    Daily 08:00–17:30·US$5

16. See

    Wat Bo

    As one of the oldest temples it makes a nice contrast between the oldest and the glittering new ones, though the rough artwork wouldn't match the craftsmen of Angkor. The architecture of the ramshackle open air hall next to the main building blends French-style arches and balustrades with Thai-influenced Buddhist details. A forest of chedi surround the main hall, in between frangipani trees and some fine topiary.

17. See

    Wat Damnak

    A landscaped temple with many stupas, a small decorative pool, and a school on the premises. Within the site of the temple is the Center for Khmer Studies, an open reading library with materials about the art, culture and history of Southeast Asia with specific interests in Cambodia.

18. See

    Wat Preah Prom Rath

    The glittering modern temple grounds give few hints as to its 500-year history. Though the lotus-themed architecture seems to emulate temples from over the border, the front gate integrates Bayon-style heads and a scene in relief of the Buddha seated under a tree, while armies fire arrows on one side and others are eaten by crocodiles on the other side, that looks like it could have been taken directly from Angkorian mural. Legend is that the site was established around 1500 when a famous monk landed ashore on a piece of his sinking boat. The boat wood was carved into the oddly foreshortened reclining Buddha installed in a swimming pool-like pit behind the imposing, yet despondent looking, seated Buddha in the main hall. Perhaps mimicking the construction materials origins, the reclining Buddha has taken on a sunken slant at the feet end. A pair of small weather worn cannons on either side of the hall are of unknown origin but their style, an embossed crown-like seal and mysterious numbers suggest a European origin.

19. See

    Wat Thmei Temple & Stupa Memorial to the Killing Fields

    A large Buddhist temple. In the grounds is a stupa with glass sides contains bones and skulls of victims of Pol Pot's army. Be wary of people purporting to be guides or asking for donations. Also, several of the photographs on the display boards are actually of the Holocaust in Nazi Germany. Take this attraction with a pinch of salt.

    Free, donations welcome

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Siem Reap (CC BY-SA 4.0).