Family Activities to Try in Angkor, Siem Reap – an Entrancing Locality

Children are sure to be enthralled by the opportunity to take a pony or horse ride in this attractive environment. The Happy Ranch is a local farm which organizes pony and horse rides across the local countryside. Your ride will take you through charming villages and paddy fields, providing an authentic insight into the local mode of life. You will have the opportunity to observe everyday Cambodian rural life, as you pass through rice fields where buffaloes are at work, wooden shacks built atop stilts, quaint marketplaces and so on. For small children who are too little for the ride and for those who prefer not to ride there is also the option of riding in a cart drawn by a horse.

The remarkable Angkor Butterfly Centre, also called by locals as the Banteay Srei Butterfly Centre is a splendid attraction that is sure to appeal to the little ones. As you might expect here you will be able to observe hundreds of breathtaking vividly coloured butterflies that are sure to capture the imagination of the visitor. You will see that there are butterflies belonging to many different species at this distinctive butterfly centre, many of which can be observed at close range. A popular attraction at the centre is the room which contains the pupa and chrysalis stages of the butterflies

The delicious Cambodian food always makes an impression on the diner, and in Siem Reap all members of the family can involve themselves in learning how to prepare the local foods. A number of Siem Reap restaurants offer these engrossing classes, with Le Tigre de Papier being one of the best known. Your class will commence with a trip to a local marketplace to obtain the needed ingredients. Then you will be able to choose, from an extensive menu, the starter, main dish and the dessert that you wish to learn to prepare. Wearing a suitable chef's hat children will be able to assist with the cutting of ingredients and the preparation of the dishes.

Many of the Angkor ruins are sure to capture the interest of the children with their mysterious and quaintly charming appearance. One such attraction is the jungle temple, Ta Prohm which was in fact included in a well-known Tomb Raider film. The massive trees with their giant roots protruding from the walls of the temple create a captivating sight. Other splendid attractions for children include the colossal elephant sculptures at Angkor Thom's elephant terrace and the huge faces cut in stone at the Bayon. As you experience these family attractions stay at an attractive luxury hotel Siem Reap offers such as the Anantara Angkor Resort located within easy reach of such historic ruins.

No visit to Siem Reap would be complete without experiencing the distinctive sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere of a typical local market. The Psar Chaa and the Angkor night market are two well-known local marketplaces, both of which are colourful, vibrant and chaotic. At these markets you will encounter a myriad of stalls featuring a diverse selection of merchandise including artworks, handicrafts, wood carvings, apparel, scarves and bags. You will also find many kinds of attractive fruits, vegetables and meats on sale at these markets. Additionally you will also find an array of appealing restaurants and places where you can enjoy a pedicure or massage in the environs of the market.