Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the base for anyone who wants to visit the impressive Angkor Wat Temple complex. To me, the town is a lot like Hoi An, a cozy vibe, lots of nice stores and fun lighting at night.

What to see and do

  1. Angkor Wat Temple complex

The first reason to visit Siem Reap is to visit the temples of the 162.6-acre Angkor Wat Temple complex. One of the highlights, if not the highlight, of your trip through Cambodia, in my opinion. This blog contains everything you need to know to best prepare for your visit to the temples!

 

  1. Pub Street

After all of that temple-seeing, it's time to check out the nightlife on Pub Street. Pub Street is a well-known street in the city center where you can find a variety of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

    1. Night Market

    Walking down Pub Street will undoubtedly lead you to the Night Market. Like the Night Markets in Vietnam and Thailand, you can find anything to delight a tourist here. Massages, clothing, souvenirs, and, of course, a myriad of street food vendors.

     

    In comparison to Vietnam, the vendors here are much neater and friendlier. They really smile at you and try their hardest to sell you something. "I want your money," one of the local clothing vendors said. The old adage "honesty is the best policy" is true.

     

    Even if it doesn't feel right to bargain for lower prices, do it anyway. They are always trying to maximize, which means that you will always overpay if you do not bargain. Sometime  up to 50%. Therefore, you can save by purchasing 2 shirts rather than just 1.

     

    Don't be surprised if you see a lot of "brand clothing" hanging around the market. Almost every clothing stall sells their fake version of high-end brands like Gucci, Rayban, and Lacoste.

      1. Landmine Museum

      During the war with Thailand, together with the Khmer Rouge war in 1975-1979, land mines were used at the Angkor Wat Temple complex. As a result, you will see a band of landmine victims performing in the center, as well as near some of the temples. The landmine museum will teach you more about how people today use rats to combat landmines.

       

      1. Floating Village

      If you've been to Ha Long Bay, you've probably seen the floating houses of fishermen up close. It remains to be seen whether you should then set aside a morning/afternoon to visit the floating village near Southeast Asia's largest lake. During the dry season, expect less spectacular floating houses. So it's really only worthwhile to go during the rainy season.

      Accommodation in Siem Reap: Mad Monkey Hostel

      Perfect for Backpackers! I chose Mad Monkey again, as I did in Phnom Penh, and had another wonderful stay. Daily activities were also organized, and a delicious Khmer family dinner was served. It was wonderful to unwind by the pool after visiting the temples.

       

      How many days in Siem Reap?

      You can easily plan 3-6 nights here if you plan to visit the Angkor Wat Temples for several days. Of course, it also depends on the length of your itinerary; if you're going to temples for three days, it doesn't seem unreasonable to plan a relaxing day.

       

      I was able to go to the gym around the corner from the Mad Monkey Hostel for $1 during my "rest day." That way, you can stay in shape while backpacking. It's not a bad idea to have a day without any major plans, especially after such a long day of visiting temples.

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