Siem Reap Province
Siem Reap Province
Trip.Best Top 12 Best Things to Do in Siem Reap Province [2024]
Explore the best things to do in Siem Reap Province! Uncover top activities and experiences for an unforgettable visit.
Updated Oct 2024
- 9.24.8/52349 ReviewFrom180.81
based on 48968 reviews"Worth it! One of the best experiences of my life so far! Definitely worth buying the ticket!"Siem Reap40 km from downtown
Featured in 2024 Asia 100 - Best Things to DoHighlights: World Heritage Site | World's largest religious structure (402 acres) | 900-yr-old Buddhist temple complexShow Less - 5.54.7/5235 ReviewFree
based on 10141 reviews"The night is beautiful, the weather is very good, and the mood is super positive. I made an appointment with three or five friends and my girlfriends to have a drink. It is also a good way to uncompress and relax. The bar is in row, there are many choices, I am a value party, I must have a beautiful drink and a good look in the mirror. Good or bad to drink in the back."Siem Reap.Siem Reap Downtown45.9 km from downtownHighlights: Siem Reap's Pub Street is located next to the bustling old downtown. This street has dozens of different bars, pubs and clubs, many of which are popular with tourists. The bars here are quite unlike traditional pubs and clubs, in that many of them also serve full meals. During daylight hours you can enjoy authentic Southeast Asian cuisine at the restaurants which line the street and, once night falls, you can relax with a drink at the bar while you experience Siem Reap's unique nightlife. Furthermore, many of the bars and restaurants on Pub Street also sell English-language books, postcards, souvenirs and handicrafts.Show Less - 5.44.7/5957 ReviewFrom46.61
based on 3376 reviews"It’s really worth it. You can visit before you go to Angkor Wat. There are two floors in several exhibition halls. You can rent a Chinese interpreter on the spot. It’s very detailed. It’s basically introduced to the staff."Siem Reap.Angkor44.5 km from downtownHighlights: • Explore the history, culture, and lifestyle of the Golden Age of the Khmer Empire.• Admire the artistic treasures of the Angkor period.• Appreciate the unique architectural styles.▴The Angkor National Museum mainly exhibits cultural relics and works of art from various periods of the Khmer dynasty, including stone carvings, images of Buddha, multimedia images, etc. The collections are vast and precious.▴The exterior shape of the museum is uniquely designed and the roof has the charm of the ancient tower of Angkor Wat. The promenade, the doorway and the window are inspired by the design of Angkor Wat. Modern elements are also blended in, making it more magnificent and spectacular.Show Less - 5.04.7/5820 Reviewbased on 20831 reviews"Bayon temple is famous for its architecture. it is one of the most beautiful temples in Cambodia. it’s a must visit if you wish to immerse yourself in history"Siem Reap38.1 km from downtownHighlights: Bayon Temple is the center and the essence of Tongwang City (that is, Greater Angkor). It was built at the end of the 12th century as a temple built by King Jayavarman VII for himself. Not only can you find the famous "Khmer Smile" here, you can also admire the rich and vivid reliefs on the cloisters. Many people choose to watch the sunrise at the Bayon Temple in the morning, so there are often crowds in the morning. In fact, the Bayon Temple in the evening is also worth visiting, not only to appreciate its relatively quiet side, but also to watch the sunset here. The entire Bayon Temple building is divided into three floors, the lower two floors are square, and the walls of the cloister are engraved with reliefs; the top floor is circular, with large and small pagodas erected. Originally there were 49, but now there are only 37 left. The larger stupa in the middle is about 40 meters high, and the others are surrounded by stars like the moon. The over 100-meter-wide corridor originally had a wooden roof, but now only broken walls and huge stone pillars can be seen. On the walls of the existing cloister, you can see very rich reliefs. The inner layer is mainly about myths and religious stories, such as stirring the sea of milk and the image of God Vishnu. The outer layer is based on real life, ranging from ancient war accounts to ordinary People's life, the scenery of Tonle Sap Lake, etc. These vivid reliefs seem to be telling a distant story, and they are precious historical relics that must be seen. The top of the pagoda is engraved with a huge four-faced Buddha. The four sides of the Buddha statue represent compassion, compassion, joy, and equanimity, and they all have a peaceful smile. If you look closely, you will find that these smiles have subtle differences, and the slightly upturned corners of the mouth can't tell whether they mean tolerance or ridicule, as if there is a secret that the world will never understand. And this is the "Khmer Smile" that makes Angkor Wat famous in the world.Show Less
- 4.94.7/5368 Reviewbased on 8647 reviews"Angkor Thom is the name of the temple complex to the north of Angkor Wat. It includes, most famously Bayon, but also other dozens of other smaller gates and temples. You could spend days exploring around in here."Siem Reap38.3 km from downtownHighlights: Tongwangcheng, also known as Great Angkor and Angkor Thom, was the last capital of the Khmer Empire. It was destroyed by war and rebuilt several times. It was the "heart" of Angkor's monuments. At its peak, it had a population of millions. Today, the moat bridge, the city gate, and the remains of the Bayon Temple, Bapuang Temple, and the Palace in the Sky are the main attractions of the tour. The entire Tongwang City is square, with a perimeter of 14 kilometers and a moat with a width of 100 meters. There are 5 city gates in the whole city, above which there are four-sided Buddha statues facing the four directions, and there is a bridge across the moat outside each gate. The south gate and the north gate are the gates for people to pass through, the east gate is used for funerals, and the west gate is for criminals. These four gates all lead to the Bayon Temple in the center of the city. The East Gate was once the filming location of the movie "Tomb Raider", and there is a "Victory Gate" on the north side of the East Gate that leads directly to the palace, which is dedicated to the king and the triumphant army. Tour guide The general way to visit Tongwang City is from the south gate. There are 27 stone statues on both sides of the moat bridge outside the gate. The stone statues are about 2.5 meters high and sit in a kneeling shape, holding the snake king "Wasuki" in his arms. This is the legend The Indian myth of "churning the sea of milk". From the south gate to the north to the center of Tongwang City, you can see the Bayon Temple, which is a magnificent and important building in the city. The top of its pagoda is the "Khmer Smile", and the reliefs on the walls of the cloister are also It is worth watching carefully, and it is recommended to spend more time visiting here. To the northwest of the Bayon Temple is the Ba Puang Temple. This common three-story platform building in Angkor used to be the center of the old royal city. The bottom floor was carved with various animal statues, but the top has collapsed. To the north of Bapuang Temple is the Palace in the Sky. Although it is called a palace, it is actually a temple in the palace. A golden pagoda was built on the top platform, but it is no longer visible. The real palace is about 200 meters northeast of the palace in the sky. Because it is a wooden structure, it no longer exists, and only the entrance remains. Not far from the original location of the palace, there are symmetrical war elephant steps and leprosy king steps. If you enter Tongwangcheng from the Victory Gate, you can see it if you walk straight ahead. The War Elephant Step is the king's reviewing stand, and it is also the place where the celebration ceremony and the elephant fighting meeting are held. The surviving giant elephant stone sculpture is its major feature. The Leprosy Steps were the site of the royal crematorium at that time, named after a genderless statue of the "Leprosy King" at the top of the platform. In addition to these well-known ruins, there are other buildings such as the Zodiac Pagoda in Tongwang City. If you have time, you may wish to visit them one by one. It takes a long time to visit Tongwangcheng in one visit. You can bring your own food to eat in the city, and then please take away the garbage. Of course, you can also enter and exit Tongwangcheng multiple times, and each time you see some scenic spots, it will be more calm.Show Less
- 4.74.3/5513 Review
based on 2322 reviews"Lake Tonrisa, also known as Phnom Penh, is located in the west of Cambodia and is long-shaped in the heart of Cambodia. It is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. The lakeside plain is flat and broad, 500 km long and more than 110 km wide, northwest to southeast, across Cambodia, and the Mekong River crossing in Phnom Penh and Cambodia."Sot Nikum85.1 km from downtownHighlights: Tonle Sap Lake is a famous freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. It is connected to the Mekong River in Phnom Penh through the Tonle Sap River. There are several floating villages on the lake. Because of the large number of Vietnamese people living in them, they are called “Vietnamese Floating Villages”. You can take a boat trip to the lake to visit these floating villages, where you will see houses, churches, schools and other buildings all on the water. In the evening, you can also enjoy the magnificent sunset on the lake.Show Less - 4.54.6/5916 ReviewFreebased on 7297 reviews"Banteay Srei Temple is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction.These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a"precious gem", or the "jewel of Khmer art"."Banteay Srei18 km from downtownHighlights: Banteay Srei is located near Phnom Kulen in Northeast Angkor Thom. It is a unique and exquisite building among Angkor's monuments. It is famous for its bright colors and exquisite reliefs. It is known as the “Gem of Angkor Art”. The name Banteay Srei means “women's castle”, which is supposed to have been constructed and carved by women. Its Central Tower and large library contain a large number of statues. Its walls, columns and other architectural surfaces are full of reliefs, complex shapes and soft lines. Unlike the green sandstones used in most of the Angkor monuments, Banteay Srei was built using Khmer-specific red clay, which is extremely colorful and keeps the carvings intact.Show Less
- 4.54.7/5446 Reviewbased on 19420 reviews"Ta Prohm Temple at dawn is a magical experience, offering a serene and almost mystical atmosphere. As the sun begins to rise, the soft light filters through the thick jungle that surrounds the temple, casting long shadows and illuminating the massive roots of ancient trees that have entwined themselves around the stone structures. The interplay of light and shadow creates an ethereal scene, with the temple appearing as if it’s emerging from the jungle itself.The quietness of the early morning adds to the sense of wonder, with only the sounds of birds and the rustling of leaves breaking the silence. The temple, famous for its intertwined trees and ruins, takes on a different character at dawn—more peaceful and introspective compared to the busy hours later in the day.This is a time when the temple feels most like a living part of the forest, with nature and human creation blending seamlessly. Walking through the temple at this hour, you can almost imagine what it must have been like when it was first rediscovered, hidden away and forgotten by the world.If you’re planning to visit Ta Prohm at dawn, it’s best to arrive early to experience this tranquil moment before the crowds arrive, allowing you to truly appreciate the beauty and history of this remarkable site."Siem Reap36.5 km from downtownHighlights: Ta Prohm Monastery, also known as "Ta Prohm Monastery", is located in the east of Angkor Wat. It was built by Khmer King Jayavarman VII in 1186 to commemorate his mother, so it is also called "Mother Temple". It was built of large stones and was once a shrine with high monks, priests and dancing girls. It had the dual function of a temple and a monastery, but over time it was invaded by wild tropical trees, which climbed like python-like roots. The temple is full and penetrates deep into the building, causing the internal stone towers and walls to collapse, and the originally regular building has become a "labyrinth" due to the interlacing of gravel and plants. This unique natural and cultural wonder has also become the location for the film "Tomb Raider". In addition to the wonders of being integrated with the tree, the architecture of the Ta Prohm Temple itself is also very beautiful, especially the various sculptures are worth watching. It has 4 porticos and the main hall faces east. On the outer wall of the east gate, there is a depiction of a patron saint holding a mace and a stupa on his head. Entering from here, you will pass through the "Dancers Corridor". The top of the corridor is an elegant and romantic fairy relief. The temple is surrounded by trees and has not been renovated. It is dedicated to the "Goddess of Wisdom" (reportedly shaped in the image of the king's mother), and the dome is a delicate lotus pattern. Today, the temple is still being swallowed by nature, invading trees that grow within the stone, tearing the building apart while also supporting it so that it doesn't collapse completely. The temple and the tree roots are closely intertwined with me in you and in me, creating a difficult problem for the protection of cultural relics. Whether this amazing tangled spectacle will disappear in the future is still unknown.Show Less
- 4.24.6/5324 ReviewFreebased on 2130 reviews"Every day that I spend in Angkor, I discover a new favorite temple. Right now it is Preah Khan. A couple of km from Bayon, it is a massive place filled with intricate carvings, and the remnants of restored buildings. Easily worth half a day here."Siem Reap35.5 km from downtownHighlights: Sacred Sword Temple is adjacent to the northeast of Tongwang City. It was built in the 12th century. According to legend, it was built by Jayavarman VII to commemorate his father. It is one of the largest temples in Angkor and is very imposing. It is said that it was the temporary residence of the king when Tongwangcheng was built. The interior of Shengjian Temple is in the shape of a cross, with the central church in the center, four gates in the east, south, west, and north connected by vaulted corridors on all sides, and a corridor outside the gate. To the east is the main entrance. There is a Tibetan scripture pavilion. It is a double-storey building of Angkor Wat. Its circular pillars have a Mediterranean style. It is said that this place was once used to store the holy sword. Many tourists will enter from the west gate and leave from the east gate after visiting the temple, which can save time and walk less. Play guide At the entrance of the temple, you can see several statues of Shura and Asura with long snakes in their hands "stirring the sea of milk", but many statues have no heads, and there is a sandstone lotus wall next to it, and the Buddha statues on it are also already destroyed. Outside the door, you can often see young people who set up stalls selling paintings. Entering the door is the vaulted corridor leading to the central church. Both sides of the corridor are supported by thick square stone pillars, which look like countless stone gates going deep all the way. The stone gate is decorated with statues of gods, and there are many statues of dancing fairies on the walls, with graceful postures. Although many statues have broken heads and limbs, and the reliefs are also incomplete, the skillful carving techniques and vivid figures are still worthy of careful appreciation. You can also see the "Linga" stone carvings in the vaulted corridor, which is a major attraction of Shengjian Temple, but many of them have been stolen, and only the base is left. This stone carving with a square base and a raised column in the middle is a sacred object for the worship and reproduction of the ancient Khmers, symbolizing the endless reproduction of life. It is said that touching these stone carvings will be prolific. Continue to go inside until the central church, there is a spiral-shaped Buddha stone pagoda, which is a precious treasure in the holy sword temple, tourists are eager to take pictures hereShow Less
- 4.24.6/530 ReviewFrom77.54based on 13016 reviews"Best Circus I have ever watched in Cambodia. Highly recommended. The performers are incredibly talented and funny. They have different concepts and acts every week. A must watch when visiting Siem Reap."Siem Reap47 km from downtownNo.1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Siem Reap ProvinceHighlights: TheCambodiaCircus, the original crew of the popular circus in Battambang has come to Siem Reap. With unrepeatable passion and touching folk stories, this star team created by a French NGO is working hard to revive Cambodia's traditional circus performance. There are neither collars nor animals, and the show combines high-level drama, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion to take you on an emotionally exciting journey into contemporary Cambodia. When you are in it, you can't help laughing, and you will be amazed by the excessive performance of the artist.Show Less
- 1
- 2