Sunday, March 13, 2011

Angkor and Siem Reap

Angkor and Siem Reap


The magical ruins of Angkor offer you a trip deep into history and to the world of magnificent archaeological wonders left behind by the once so powerful Khmer Kingdom. This all, and by Cambodian standards very well organized tourist services, are offered to you in one package by the city of Siem Reap and the nearby Angkor temples in Cambodia.
Buddhist monks in Angkor Wat
Buddhist monks in Angkor Wat

Siem Reap and Angkor, famous for its temple ruins

The most famous sight and tourism destination inCambodia is naturally Angkor. These famous ruins date back for more than 1,000 years and can easily capture your attention for days. With thousands of temples and statues stretching over an area of 400 square km, the ruins within Angkor Archaeological Park are the most significant monument left over from the ancient Khmer Kingdom. With more than four million yearly visitors, they are also the most important archaeological site in Southeast Asia. Angkor temples are also an UNESCO World Heritage Site.Sightseeing tours in Angkor are offered with a variety of ways from walking tours to helicopter rides.
The sculptures of Bayon in Angkor Wat
The sculptures of Bayon in Angkor Wat

In addition to Angkor, the city of Siem Reap offers interesting Buddhist temples and many museums representing the history of the area and war-time atrocities in Cambodia. For the more peace-loving visitors, there is also an outdoor theater in Siem Reap with traditional dance and theater performances. For nature enthusiasts, the Lake Tonle Sap offers a spectacular place for boat tours, protected areas with wildlife and interesting sights like traditional lakeside dwellings or fishing communities. Tonle Sap is one of the most productive inland fisheries of Southeast Asia, and thus offers ideal surroundings for those who want to go fishing. Other outdoor activities in Siem Reap region include guided hiking and birdwatching trips.Golf in Siem Reap is also available, and shopping in Angkor and Siem Reap is good with affordable prices. With a growing influx of foreigners, nightlife in Siem Reap is also lively with a range of inexpensive bars and pubs available.
Sightseeing in Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Sightseeing in Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Practical information for your trip to Siem Reap

The climate in Siem Reap, as in all of Cambodia, is tropical with hot temperatures all year round.
The best time to travel to Siem Reap is during the Cambodian dry season which lasts from December to April. Outside this period, the monsoon winds bring rains to the area and floods can be expected, but all services are available and with some luck, weather can also be very nice.
Angkor Wat World Heritage Site at sunrise
Angkor Wat World Heritage Site at sunrise

More peaceful times have come to Cambodia after years of violence. You should still pay extra attention to safety issues even if you are traveling to Siem Reap, which is considered a safer destination than the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. Although violent crime is rare, it is advised to take good care of your belongings and watch out for scam artists while visiting Angkor and Siem Reap. Another safety issue concerning Cambodia is that it is one of the countries where AIDS is a widespread problem.
Apsara dancers in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Apsara dancers in Siem Reap, Cambodia

How to get there. Flights to Siem Reap are easy to find from many Asian countries. You can also travel to Siem Reap by bus from Thailand, and by bus or boat from Phnom Penh. If you want to explore the surrounding regions by yourself, car rental in Siem Reap is provided by many international firms. There are plenty of restaurants in Siem Reap to choose from, and hotels in Siem Reap also offer a wide variety of choices. Some of them provide also services of spas in Angkor and Siem Reap.

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