Angkor Wat and Beyond: A Siem Reap Travel Guide

In the past, people went to Siem Reap to travel on to the magnificent Angkor Wat, located in the Angkor Archaeological Park. But the town of Siem Reap has its own appeal, and increasingly, tourists are doing more than just using it as a place to sleep while visiting the remains of the capitals of the Khmer Empire. The city has so much more to offer than just a place to stay, so consider this your Siem Reap Travel Guide.

While I said that this Siem Reap Travel Guide is about more than the Angkor Archaeological Park, it has to be mentioned. It is simply one of the best archaeological sites in the world, and completely unique peek into the world of the Khmer Empire between 9th and 15th century CE. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. So we know, when you come to Siem Reap to travel, you’re going to go see Angkor Wat. But what else are you going to see? The Angkor National Museum is considered one of the most modern museums in all of Asia. It features a stunning display of 1,000 Buddhas along with more detail and context into the historical background of the Angkor complex. The museum also displays cultural pieces as well as examples of clothing from the Khmer Empire.

While you’re in Siem Reap, travel to some of the more serious cultural landmarks that are nearby. Most famous, and not in a good way, are the Killing Fields from the regime of the Khmer Rouge. There is a bone monument just outside Siem Reap; while there is no cost to enter, the temple that maintains the monument, Wat Thmei, is under expansion and will accept donations. The Landmine Museum is another landmark of Siem Reap that is on the serious side, and provides an eye-opening reality check for Western travellers to realize the real toll that landmines have had on Cambodia. It was set up by a local deminer, and most of the tour guides are young people who have been either injured or orphaned by landmines, and some of them actually live on site.

In Siem Reap, your travel plans can not only show you the beautiful things, but also the things that you need to see. On a lighter note, make sure, when you’re in Siem Reap, to travel to visit a real silk worm farm. While not on any tourist map or destination guide, if you ask one of the local tuktuk drivers, and they can guide you to it. Seeing the intricate way that silk is produced will give you a new appreciation for the delicate fabric, and it’s not something you come across very often. Just another unique offering Siem Reap has for travellers. Now that you know how much more Siem Reap travel offers.

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