Yes, Siem Reap is the gateway to the stunning ruins of Angkor, a massive 400 sqm UNESCO world heritage zone that houses 50 temples that once comprised the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th to 15th centuries. Once you’ve gotten your fill of these awe-inspiring historical monuments, what is there to see, do and experience when staying at a hostel in Siem Reap? In this article, we are going to answer that very astute question. So, stick around to discover our insider tips on the best diversions in Cambodia’s enchanting north-western city.
Angkor National Museum
Angkor National Museum is a cutting-edge archaeological museum dedicated to the collection, preservation and presentation of Angkorian artefacts. Displays are themed by era, royalty and religion and include an excellent selection of Buddha images dating back to the 9th Century; the pre-Angkorian periods of Funan and Chenla; the great Khmer kings; Angkor Wat; Angkor Thom; and so forth. Exhibits include touch-screen videos, impressive commentary and the chance to experience a panoramic sunrise at Angkor Wat (for those of you too lazy to get up at 5:00 am to see the real thing!).
Tip: As the museum is entirely air-conditioned, plan a visit during the middle of the day to avoid the sweltering midday temperatures at the temples of Angkor.
Mechrey Floating Village
Lying about 40km from Siem Reap is Mechrey village of Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and the least touristy floating village in the area. Designated a UNESCO biosphere in 1997 due to its ecological beauty and diversity, The Great Lake of Tonle Sap offers a wealth of fascinating sights for intrepid travellers. The lake is home to approximately 300 ethnic Khmer families who live their entire lives on the water. A boat ride through the village will reveal to you floating houses, a school, restaurants, fish farm, crocodile farm and Buddhist Pagoda. In the cooler season (Dec-Feb) you will also see many different species of birds.
Phnom Kulen National Park
A playground for locals, Phnom Kulen (aka ‘Mountain of the Lychees’) National Park makes for a wonderful day trip. This idyllic spot lies about two hours’ drive from Siem Reap. The main attraction is the impressive waterfall (best during the rainy season from May-Oct) at the top of Kulen Mountain, a perfect spot to take a dip and enjoy a picnic. Beyond that, the park is also home to several sacred sites, such as the Thousand Lingas at Kbal Spean and giant reclining Buddha at Preah Ang Thom Pagoda.
Note: In Cambodian culture, people dress conservatively even while swimming, so forgo the bikinis and speedos and opt for a T-shirt and shorts combo instead.
Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre
The Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre (BBC) is a relatively new tourist attraction on the Siem Reap tourism scene located just 25km north of town. This butterfly zoo is the largest enclosed butterfly centre in Southeast Asia. Located nearby one of Angkor’s most beloved temples, Banteay Srey, the key highlight of this attraction is a large, netted interactive enclosure housing thousands of free-flying butterflies, all of which are indigenous to Cambodia. BBC is part of the ConCERT project, a Cambodian project connecting responsible tourism with environmental conservation. All revenue generated from admissions goes to support local poverty alleviation and conservation projects.
