Joanna James
Siem Reap is by far the best attraction in Cambodia steeped in history and culture. The city of Angkor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the mighty Angkor Wat, which draws thousands of visitors each year. Let's look at some of the best attractions and things to do in Siem Reap.
Let's start with the obvious because, to be honest, Angkor Wat is the piece de resistance of Siem Reap. Angkor Wat is marked as one of the world's largest religious sites, and the temples of Angkor are spread across one square kilometre and are held within a moat and boundary wall that respectively measure between 1,300m and 1,500m. The complex spreads across three tiers and features five towers that look like lotus blossoms. The best of Khmer architecture is represented at Angkor Wat with temple complexes built to represent the mythical Mount Meru, which in Hinduism is the home of the gods. A picture postcard view of the place is often the first impression that the complex makes on visitors who often arrive with agendas of exploring the vast network of temple ruins. Anantara Angkor Resort is located just 15 minutes from the temple and is a good example of the type of accommodation available around here if you are looking for a luxury hotel in Siem Reap.
Choose a hotel that is located close to the temple complex and you can visit the place in time to experience a magical sunset. The experience is quite a phenomenon as the rays of the sun light up the temple from the back. The light reflecting off the spires cast a glimmering sheen on the ponds located at the front of the temple leading to an aura of mysticism that is quite an experience. It is in these simple moments that the sheer splendour of the entire complex is highlighted. You will find that resorts located close to the temple specialise in comprehensive tours of the place with the help of experienced guides who make sure guests discover Angkor Wat in all its splendour.
This too is another complex in Siem Reap that's similar to Angkor Wat. It's based on the same theory of a city within a city and is named after the main temple complex. The most prominent feature here is the Terrace of the Elephants, which you access by climbing up a series of bamboo. If you do brave the climb, you will find the Terrace is a marvellous lookout point offering 360-degree views of the area, so don't forget your cameras. Carved into the terrace balcony are figurines of elephants as well as those of people and other forms of animals. Historians believe the hall was once the venue for seeking an audience with the king and served as a grand hall where citizens were granted a chance to meet the king and plead their cases.
This complex is similar in style to Angkor Wat, except it has been carved out of grey sandstone, which is less durable than the pink sandstone used for Angkor Wat. Therefore, most parts of Pre Rup have been wasted away. The name translates to 'turning the body' and refers to a type of cremation where the body's outline is traced in the embers. Hence, Pre Rup is believed to have once been a royal crematorium.
The most prominent feature of Bayon is its 54 Gothic towers, accompanied by gigantic stone faces that peer down at visitors with a menacing glare. This justifies the place being nicknamed the temple of faces. There are over 11,000 sculptures within Bayon, which include depictions of the daily lifestyles of locals. If you love exploring culture and learning about the history of a place, Bayon will not disappoint.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
