Allson Angkor Paradise Hotel

The main attraction is visiting the ancient temples at Angkor. This UNESCO World Heritage site of 290 temples spread across over 100 square miles forms an impressive collection of 9th - 12th century monuments regarded as being one of the most important archaeological sites in Asia equal in significance to the pyramids of Egypt or the Aztec monuments of South America.

Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the largest religious temple in the world, with a volume of stone equaling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. It faces west, and it is inspired by 12th century Hinduism. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took several decades to build.. Intricate bas reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides. Each tells a story. The way the light glows on the ancient stones makes sunrise and sunset the best time to wander through Angkor Wat's 2 square kilometers and to climb its towers.

Angkor Thom
The ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, literally " Great City ”, built in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII, contains the famous Bayon temple with its more than 200 enormous mysterious smiling faces.
It also contains the 300 meter-long Elephant terrace with its large sculptured royal elephants and Garudas, the mythical guard, half-man, half-bird. Also within the walled area is the terrace of the Leper King which features a sandstone replica of the Leper King .

Banteay Srei
The fabled pink temple of women, so called because it is made of pink sandstone and is considered a tribute to the beauty of women. Its small size, delicate carving and remarkable state of preservation make Banteay Srei one of travelers' favorite temples. Its Apsara and male and female divinities represent the most skilled craftsmanship of sandstone carvings. It was dedicated in 987, making it one of the oldest temple s in the region, though it was not rediscovered until the 1900s.

Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm is the temple that has been left largely in its natural state since its discovery by French archeologists. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of massive banyan trees, which envelop the stone like tentacles.
It is one of the largest temples at Angkor, dedicated in 1186. Its close connection with nature makes it easy for the imagination to roam back to the days when it housed the Angkor kings in splendor.

Angkor National Museum
The Angkor National Museum is the first and only museum in Siem Reap, home of one of the world's great wonders, Angkor Wat. The aim of the Angkor National Museum is to amass a collection of invaluable objects d'art from the ancient Khmer Kingdom. Such artifacts provide insight into beliefs, religions, arts, society, wars and the ways of life during the peak of the Khmer empire between 11 – 14 BC, also known as the Golden Era. Artifacts which were scattered throughout Cambodia will be amassed and put on show at the museum. There will be also a Cultural Mall in adjacent building which will include souvenir shop, dining restaurants, fastfood restaurant, library, spa and beauty shop, travel discovery center, money exchange counter, and more. Visit www.angkornationalmuseum.com

Market Sightseeing In Siem Reap:
Walk around the old Psar Chas Market in Siem Reap and see the busy local trading life. Traditional handcrafts abound including silks, silver jewellery, wood carvings, laquerware, and souvenirs. Experience the vibrant colour of the fresh produce market, clothing stalls and household goods.

Traditional Dance Shows:
Experience dance and music styles of a Khmer dance performance. Discover history and legends of the Kingdom through various types of popular and classical dances performed by the Apsara Dancers. Step back in time to the courts of the Angkorian Kings and wonder at the magnificence of the traditionally styled performers' costumes.

Tonle Sap Lake & Floating Villages:
Drive to the boat departure point at Chong Khneas for the canal cruise to view the floating village and out onto Tonle Sap Lake. Turning south, the trip takes tourists past the shoreline of mangrove trees and pass fishing boats out on the lake. Stop in the mangroves to have a relaxed light picnic lunch aboard the boat then cruise again the canals to visit Kompong Pluk village. This traditional lakeshore village is built high up on stilts where numerous interesting and ingenious initiatives enable locals to grow vegetable gardens hung from trellises or using small patches of what little dry land there is available. See the fishing nets being mended, children swimming and playing, floating pigpens and crocodile enclosures. Stop off at the local animal zoo to see snakes, fish, pelicans, ibis, wading birds and monkeys.

Helicopters Cambodia Ltd. provides aerial sightseeing tours over the main Angkor Temples for a truly breathtaking view of this World Heritage site. The true size and majesty of these temples can now be fully appreciated by taking a scenic helicopter tour. Prices at US $68 per person (subject to change) with departure times subject to a minimum number of passengers and prevailing weather conditions. Hotel staff can arrange guest bookings.

Golf Club
Phokeethra Country Club is Siem Reap’s first international golf club. 18-hole, 72 par golf course spread over 155 hectares and stretching 6.53 kms. A combination of paspulum grasses allows for year round golf. There is also a putting green, pitching area, driving range, pro-shop and restaurant. Managed by Sofitel Royal Angkor Golf & Spa Resort, the club is located along Route #6 in Pouk district 16 kilometers from town.

Horseback Riding
The Happy Ranch International standard horse ranch and riding school offers trail rides and riding lessons for adults and children. Private and group lessons are available with local and western instructor. Visit www.thehappyranch.com

Royal Palace
Built in 1866 by His Majesty Preah Bat Norodom, the Royal Palace is now home to his Majesty Preah Bat Norodom Sihanouk and Her majesty Preah Reach Akka-Mohesey Norodom .Most of the buildings inside the palace are closed to the public, except for special occasions. Also within the palace walls is the Silver Pagoda, which draws its name from the 5,000 silver tiles that pave its floor. Inside the pagoda there are hundreds of gifts to Cambodian king, including a solid-gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds weighing 90 kilograms.

Kulen Mountain
Phnom Kulen is about 42km north of SiemReap town. On either side of the mountain, tall waterfalls crash down the mountain; clean, clear and cool water provide a wonderful place for tourists. Carvings of Brahmin Yonis and lingas can be seen etched into the riverbed. A mountain peak temple houses a huge reclining Buddha, gazing serenely out from his peaceful mountain home.

Balloon Rides
Unique new addition to the Angkor area. Take a tethered helium balloon ride 200 meters straight up for an amazing aerial view of Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng, West Baray and other ruins amongst the surrounding jungle and rice paddies.The big, yellow balloon is based on the road from the airport to Angkor Wat, about a kilometer from the front gates of Angkor Wat.

Prek Toal
The 'bird sanctuary' at the Prek Toal core area of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve has been called "the single most important breeding ground in Southeast Asia for globally threatened large waterbirds." The Biosphere covers 31,282 hectares at the northwest tip of the Tonle Sap Lake and plays host to species including Greater and Lesser Adjuncts, Black-headed Ibis, Painted Stork, Milky Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Grey-Headed Fish Eagle and many more species. Of the three Biosphere core areas on the Tonle Sap Lake, Prek Toal is the most accessible from Siem Reap and the most popular with birdwatchers.The best time of year for viewing is the dry season when flocks of migratory birds congregate at this place.

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