Joanna James
Home to the ruins of Angkor, Siem Reap has been seeing a steady influx of tourists, who come to experience the town's charming historical quarter. Thanks to the city's burgeoning popularity, there's so much to be enjoyed besides the dose of ancient history that makes for some blissful time away.
As the iconic tourist attraction that single-handedly put Siem Reap on the map for most travellers, your trip wouldn't be complete without striking Angkor Wat on the itinerary. Dating back to the golden era of the 9th to 15th centuries in the history of Cambodia, Angkor Wat is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important historical and cultural landmark of the Southeast Asian nation. Head over at sunrise and spend an entire day immersed in ancient history by exploring Angkor Wat and the sprawling 163 hectares of the surrounding Angkor Archaeological Park.
After a day of soaking up the golden history of Cambodia, indulge yourself in Siem Reap's most renowned source of evening entertainment, the Cambodian "Phare" Circus. A fascinating combination of music, dance and high-flying acrobatics, Phare is what most tourists to Siem Reap look forward to once the darkness descends. Grab a seat to the lively and colourful spectacle and treat your eyes to a splendid cultural performance.
Set 25 kilometres north of Siem Reap, the Landmine Museum offers you a glimpse into the dreadful horrors of Cambodia's past, inflicted by deadly landmines. The museum houses scores of de-mined explosives and highlights the ongoing operations to de-mine landmines that are still left buried in the countryside. After a day of harking back to Cambodia's unfortunate past, return back to the city and check in to a luxury hotel in Siem Reap the likes of Anantara Angkor Resort, to embark fresh on the after-dark scenes.
Neon-lit bars, lively clubs and a host of food stalls bursting with mouthwatering dishes and quick bites—as the sun goes down and the skies take a profusion of yellowish oranges, there's no better place to be in Siem Reap than the vibrant Pub Street. Stroll through the lively and spirited street, grab a bite to eat and lose yourself in the idyllic atmospheric scene.
Get a break from all the architecture, history, and culture of Siem Reap and make your way to the Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre for a change in scenery. The largest enclosed butterfly centre in all of Southeast Asia, the beautiful nature haven lets you get up close and personal with more than a thousand species of endemic butterflies.
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