Siem Reap in Cambodia is one of the most well-known places in South East Asia thanks to the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat. As you will see from the following pictures, Angkor Wat is definitely worth a visit. But, Siem Reap has plenty of other things to offer as well.
Firstly, Siem Reap is unique as it has French colonial and Chinese-style architecture throughout the city. In addition, there is also delicious local food to try, night markets to visit, and ancient temples as well as active ones. With so much to do and see in Siem Reap, you can’t go to Asia without stopping there as well.
Take a look at these 27 inspiring pictures of Siem Reap to help you start planning your trip!
Angkor Wat
Although there are plenty of other things to see in Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is, of course, the main attraction. If you’ve never heard of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the largest Buddhist temple on earth. If that wasn’t impressive enough, it has been around since the 12th century (113-5BC) and took over 30 years to build.
Even though Angkor Wat is so old, it is still extremely well put together and visitors can go into the various buildings. Many people visit Angkor Wat to see the sunrise as it rises behind the temple, offering a stunning view.
You can buy a one-day, three-day, or one-week pass to see Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples. There are so many that you should take as much time as you can to see everything. Moreover, getting a guide to take you around is the best way to do so.
Angkor Thom/ Bayon Temple
Another great temple to see nearby is the Bayon Temple, often referred to as Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom is the ancient city while Bayon Temple is built within it, but locals will know what you’re talking about if you use either name.
The Bayon Temple is one of our favorites because of how different it is from the rest of the complex. Stone faces are built into the structure smiling back at visitors.
Baphuon Temple
Just down the road from the Bayon Temple is Baphuon temple, definitely worth a stop. It is a three-tiered temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Intricate carvings cover every surface.
The history behind this temple is also super interesting as it was destroyed in the past, leaving experts with 300,000 stones to put back together. This has given Baphuon Temple the nickname of “the world’s largest jigsaw puzzle.”
Today, visitors can explore the temple in an hour and during their visit, can even receive a blessing from the monks that reside here.
Ta Prohm
If you have ever seen Tomb Raider, you might recognize this temple. They featured Ta Prohm in the film because of the gorgeous backdrop it provides. One of the most prominent features of this temple is the huge 500-year-old tree weaving its way through the temple’s structure. Visit and pretend your Lara Croft climbing your way through the tree’s limbs and ruins.
Wat Preah Prom Rath
If you haven’t had your fill of temples yet, a more modern one that many tourists overlook is Wat Preah Prom Rath. It was built quite a bit after the Angkor Wat temples in 1500 and new additions were even put on in 1915 and 1945 so it is very different to the older temples in Siem Reap.
Wat Preah Prom Rath is located along the river so it’s a beautiful location. Intricate statues, colorful buildings, and a reclining Buddha can all be found on the grounds. So, if you’ve got some extra time in Siem Reap, we definitely recommend a stop here.
Siem Reap Night Market
One of our favorite parts of Asia is the abundance of night markets in every country. In Siem Reap, the most popular one among tourists is Angkor Night Market just off of Sivatha Boulevard in central Siem Reap. After a day of visiting temples, this night market will be a nice reprieve.
Here you can find 20 bamboo huts selling traditional Khmer crafts, clothing, local delicacies, and even great live music performances. This market is open every day in the evening, so it’s a great place to wind down after spending the morning visiting temples.
If you love handicrafts, another great market to visit is the Made in Cambodia Market in front of Shinta Mani Resort every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday. This is an all-day market with vendors selling clothes, cosmetics, paintings, jewellery, toys, and food. Most importantly, shopping here is a great way to support the locals.
River Tour
Cambodia is full of water as the iconic Mekong River flows through the center of it. Because of this, there are tons of floating villages around Cambodia and Siem Reap especially.
Seeing thousands of houses on stilts that you can only get to by boat is certainly a sight to see. Many of these villages are open to tourists so they can see a new way of life. Your hotel likely offers a tour or pop in and visit a tour guide to book one. The most popular floating villages to visit are Kompong Phluk and Chong Kneas which you’ll be able to see by boat.
The Bottom Line
Although most people know Siem Reap for housing the Angkor Wat temples, the city has plenty to offer. Grab a tuktuk to Angkor Wat for sunrise, head to the market for a local lunch, and after that, end the day listening to live music at a night market.
In conclusion, no matter where you go in Siem Reap, you’re sure to see something unique and beautiful as these pictures are only a taste of what the city has to offer. Add Siem Reap to your travel bucket list and see for yourself!