Tourism Indochina: Siem Reap One of the Most Popular Destinations on Earth

Dec. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- Siem Reap (Khmer: ក្រុងសៀមរាប) is the capital city of Siem Reap Province in orthwestern Cambodia, and is the gateway to Angkor region. Siem Reap has colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter, and around the Old Market. In the city, there are traditional Apsara dance performances, craft shops, silk farms, rice-paddy countryside, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary near the Tonle Sap Lake. Siem Reap today, being a popular tourist destination, has a large number of hotels and restaurants. Most smaller establishments are concentrated around the Old Market area, while more expensive hotels are located between Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport and the town along National Road 6. There are a variety of mid-range hotels and restaurants along Sivatha boulevard, and mid budget to mid-range hotels in the Phsar Leu area.

The Town is a cluster of small villages along the Siem Reap River. These villages were originally developed around Buddhist pagodas (Wat) which are almost evenly spaced along the river from Wat Preah En Kau Sei in the north to Wat Phnom Krom in the south, where the Siem Reap River meets the great Tonle Sap Lake.

The main town is concentrated around Sivutha Street and the Psar Chas area (Old Market area) where there are old colonial buildings, shopping and commercial districts. The Wat Bo area is now full of guesthouses and restaurants while the Psar Leu area is often crowded with jewellery and handicraft shops, selling rubies to woodcarving. Other fast developing areas are the airport road and main road to Angkor where a number of large hotels and resorts can be found.

Angkor Wat (Wat temple) is the central feature of the Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the magnificent remains of the Khmer civilization. Angkor Wat's rising series of five towers culminates in an impressive central tower that symbolizes mythical Mount Meru. Thousands of feet of wall space are covered with intricate carving depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.

Opened on September 24, 2003, the Cambodian Culture Village assembles all the miniatures of famous historical buildings and structures of Cambodia. There are 11 unique villages, which represent different culture heritages, local customs and characteristics of 19 multi races. At each village, the tourists will be able to enjoy the excellent wood houses, carving, soft skill in stone, traditional performances in the different dance styles such as: Apsara dancing, performance of ethnic minorities from northeastern Cambodia, traditional wedding ceremony, Circus, Popular games, Peacock dancing, Acrobat, elephants shows, and boxing.

Two decades after the collapse of the Khmer Rouge, Siem Reap is finally regaining its footing as one the most popular destinations on earth.

Siem Reap is undoubtedly Cambodia's fastest growing city, welcoming over 100,000 international tourists every year and gaining recognition from locals as the 'tourist town'. The city comprises of over 116 hotels with continuing developments, a far cry from its mere two properties just three years ago.

Tuk tuk's are the best way to get around the city, drivers often knowing exactly where you want to go so long as you say it slowly. In some cases, drivers even have translation cards for major landmarks or tourist areas.

If you wander around independently, you will find that the most activity is in the Old Market Area (Psah Chas) which runs alongside the Siem Reap River. There, streets are filled with restaurants, spas, hotels, markets and bars. In particular, Pub St (where the name speaks for itself) turns into a hub of tourist activity at night, clubs pumping foreign pop and rock music while tuk tuk drivers scramble to grab the next customer stumbling out of a bar.

Apart from Pub St, the best place to be at night is at the Angkor Night Market, where over 200 huts showcase some of the best traditional Cambodian handmade products such as clothing, silk art, jewellery, scarves, wood and stone carvings and other handicrafts. If your feet are sore from shopping, head to the back of the market to get a US$2 foot massage or go to the market's Dr. Fish stall and have fish nibble the dead skin off your feet and legs!

But tourists simply cannot say they've been to Siem Reap if they haven't visited its biggest claim to fame - Angkor Wat. Built in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is one of few UNESCO world heritage listed sites and Cambodia's most valuable monument. Angkor Wat is breathtaking, to say the least, and Siem Reap owes its booming tourist numbers to this majestic site.

With Angkor Wat standing as a reminder of such a grand past, it's no wonder that Siem Reap has picked up the pieces so diligently and drawn in the world once again.

Two decades after the collapse of the Khmer Rouge, Siem Reap is finally regaining its footing as one the most popular destinations on earth.

Siem Reap is undoubtedly Cambodia's fastest growing city, welcoming over 100,000 international tourists every year and gaining recognition from locals as the 'tourist town'. The city comprises of over 116 hotels with continuing developments, a far cry from its mere two properties just three years ago.

Tuk tuk's are the best way to get around the city, drivers often knowing exactly where you want to go so long as you say it slowly. In some cases, drivers even have translation cards for major landmarks or tourist areas.

If you wander around independently, you will find that the most activity is in the Old Market Area (Psah Chas) which runs alongside the Siem Reap River. There, streets are filled with restaurants, spas, hotels, markets and bars. In particular, Pub St (where the name speaks for itself) turns into a hub of tourist activity at night, clubs pumping foreign pop and rock music while tuk tuk drivers scramble to grab the next customer stumbling out of a bar.

Apart from Pub St, the best place to be at night is at the Angkor Night Market, where over 200 huts showcase some of the best traditional Cambodian handmade products such as clothing, silk art, jewellery, scarves, wood and stone carvings and other handicrafts. If your feet are sore from shopping, head to the back of the market to get a US$2 foot massage or go to the market's Dr. Fish stall and have fish nibble the dead skin off your feet and legs!

But tourists simply cannot say they've been to Siem Reap if they haven't visited its biggest claim to fame - Angkor Wat. Built in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is one of few UNESCO world heritage listed sites and Cambodia's most valuable monument. Angkor Wat is breathtaking, to say the least, and Siem Reap owes its booming tourist numbers to this majestic site.

With Angkor Wat standing as a reminder of such a grand past, it's no wonder that Siem Reap has picked up the pieces so diligently and drawn in the world once again.

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