Joanna James
As Cambodia's most culturally rich region, Siem Reap is a popular stopover for holidaymakers exploring the country. Here are some of the most unusual and engaging things to do during a getaway at this heritage hub in Cambodia.
Travellers who wish to pick up clothing, accessories, jewellery and other products made by Cambodians must also check out the Made in Cambodia Market in Siem Reap. Taking place daily from 12 noon to 8 pm, the market is also a fun location to go bargain hunting.
While Cambodian food may not enjoy the same popularity as Thai cuisine, those who are fortunate enough to be touring Siem Reap can savour the taste of authentic local fare. Influenced by various cultures over a thousand-year period, Cambodia's best dishes remain a mystery to the travelling masses. The best way to experience local dishes made the traditional way is to sign up for a food tour which will take one across the top restaurants in Siem Reap on a culinary journey to remember. Most organized food tours will also stop by street food carts and local fruit stalls and even locales where fried insects are on the menu.
Those who are based at properties such as Anantara Angkor Resort will find that touring Angkor Wat is on every Siem Reap Things to Do list online. But only seasoned visitors are aware that the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site is also the best location to catch a spectacular view of the sunrise.
Quad biking fanatics visiting Siem Reap will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy a biking tour in the area. With so many pastoral villages with paddy fields and uneven terrain at your disposal, rural Cambodia can become your playground for an adrenaline-pumping ride on a quad bike.
Considered one of the best shopping hubs for those in search of souvenirs, a shopping spree at Artisans Angkor is also a good way to give back to the Siem Reap artistic community. The stunning handmade and hand-crafted works for sale at the venue are not limited to paintings and wood carving but also include fabrics, stone carvings and even silk painting. The proceeds from the sale of items go to benefit disadvantaged members of the community.
Travellers on the lookout for a unique excursion must also tour the Kampong Phluk Floating Village in Siem Reap to witness how the river-dwelling communities live in their stilted homes. There are several other highlights visitors can explore after visiting the floating village as the Killing Fields and the War Museum of Cambodia are all located nearby.
When it comes to unwinding after a day of sightseeing there's nothing quite like a boat tour across Tonle Sap Lake which is bordered by lotus fields and rice paddies.
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