Apsara Meas Hotel

Siem Reap

Siem Reap has always been known as the base from which to explore the ancient temples of Angkor, hosting a steady stream of luminaries like Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Kennedy until the mid-1970s, when Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge plunged the country into a reign of terror, killing some 1.7million Cambodians in a span of 3 - 4 years. But things have changed since then, and today Siem Reap has blossomed into a tourist mecca with options to suit every taste and budget - luxurious hotels to cheap guesthouses, roadside eateries to bistros serving French cuisine, English or Irish style pubs to discotheques, and for those seeking convenience, ATMs dispensing US dollars at virtually every other street corner. The Old Market remains the prime destination for shoppers looking for silk and silver, artifacts and handicrafts, trinkets and souvenirs, but there are now other places to visit such as the Central Market and Night Market. There are even a couple of modern malls, though these are visited primarily for their supermarkets (shops and stores have yet to fill the mostly empty halls). And while Siem Reap's transition into modern life may seem like an endless cacophony of traffic and construction, there are still a couple of gems that evoke its increasingly distant past. Take a pleasant stroll on the tree-lined streets along the river, or wander around the Old French Quarter, now converted into a lively tourist town of souvenir shops, bookstores, restaurants, bars, Internet cafes and the ubiquitous massage parlors.
Angkor Wat, Kingdom of Wonder

The Angkor Archaeological Park is home to the magnificent Khmer temple ruins of Angkor, including the legendary Angkor Wat, Bayon, and dozens of other ancient ruins of the Angkorian-era (9th-13th century) Khmer Empire. The Park encompasses more than 400 square kilometers just outside Siem Reap City in northwestern Cambodia and is a World Heritage Site. The temple ruins of Angkor contained within the Angkor Archaeological Park represent the remnants of the millennium-old Angkorian-era capitals of the ancient Khmer Empire. The Khmer people were and are the dominant ethnic group in Cambodia. The name 'Angkor' refers to the Angkorian-era Khmer Empire that stretched across much of mainland Southeast Asia between the 9th and 15th centuries A.D., and also refers to the capital city of the Empire that was centered north of Siem Reap Cambodia. The Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses the main temple ruins of the Angkorian capitals located in the Siem Reap area. Most of these temples were constructed between the 9th and 12th century A.D. and represent the pinnacle of ancient Khmer architecture, art and civilization. At its height, the Age of Angkor was a time wealth and power for the Khmer Empire. The capital city at Angkor was populated by more than a million people, Khmer kings constructed vast waterworks and grand temples and the Empire's military, economic and cultural dominance held sway over the area of modern Cambodia, as well as much of Thailand, southern Vietnam and Laos.
Bayon

The best of Bayon are the bas-reliefs on the exterior walls of the lower level and on the upper level where the stone faces reside. The bas-reliefs on the southern wall contain real-life scenes from the historical sea battle between the Khmer and the Cham. It is not clear whether this represents the Cham invasion of 1177AD or a later battle in which the Khmer were victorious. Even more interesting are extensive carvings of unique and revealing scenes of everyday life that are interspersed among the battle scenes, including market scenes, cockfighting, chess games and childbirth. Also note the unfinished carvings on other walls, likely indicating the death of Jayavarman VII and the subsequent end of his building campaign. Some of the reliefs on the inner walls were carved at a later date under the Hindu king Jayavarman VIII. The surrounding tall jungle makes Bayon a bit dark and flat for photographs near sunrise and sunset.
Banteay Srey

Banteay Srey loosely translates to 'citadel of the women,' but this is a modern appellation that probably refers to the delicate beauty of the carvings. Built at a time when the Khmer Empire was gaining significant power and territory, the temple was constructed by a Brahmin counselor under a powerful king, Rajendravarman and later under Jayavarman V. Banteay Srey displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. The walls are densely covered with some of the most beautiful, deep and intricate carvings of any Angkorian temple. The temple's relatively small size, pink sandstone construction and ornate design give it a fairyland ambiance. The colors are best before 10:30 AM and after 2:00 PM, but there are fewer tourists in the afternoon. This temple was discovered by French archaeologists relatively late, in 1914. The temple area closes at 5:00 PM. Banteay Srey lies 38 km from Siem Reap, requiring extra travel time. Drivers usually charge a fee in addition to their normal daily charge for the trip. Banteay Srey is well worth the extra effort.
Kbal Spean

Sprawling jungle temple covering over one square kilometer. The temple is largely overrun by vegetation and very lightly touristed, giving it an adventurous, 'lost temple' feel. Photographers: trees growing from the broken towers and galleries offer some of the best 'tree in temple' shots aside from Ta Prohm. Constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style under the same king that built Angkor Wat, Beng Melea preceded and may have served as a prototype of sorts for Angkor Wat. Though there are some lintel and doorway carvings, there are no bas-reliefs and the carvings are comparatively sparse. When the temple was active, the walls may have been covered, painted or had frescos. In its time, Beng Melea was at the crossroads of several major highways that ran to Angkor, Koh Ker, Preah Vihear (in northern Cambodia) and northern Vietnam. Regular admission ticket are not required but there is a separate $5 entrance fee. Beng Melea is located 63km east of town. The road is now in good condition and the trip from Siem Reap takes 1-2 hours. Graded dirt road with occasional flooding in the rainy season.
Tonle Sap - The Great Lake

Designated as an UNESCO ecological biosphere in 1997, the Tonle Sap or the 'Great Lake' is also South East Asia's largest freshwater lake. Located 30 minutes south of Siem Reap, the lake is alive with a variety of bird species and other wildlife and a number of fishing communities literally float on it. During the monsoon season, the Tonle Sap river which connects the lake with the Mekong river reverses its flow. Water is pushed up from the Mekong into the lake, increasing its area and its depth. This leads to the flooding of nearby fields and forests. The floodplain then becomes a perfect breeding ground for fish, making Tonle Sap one of the most productive inland fisheries in the world. You can explore Tonle Sap on the various boat tours that last from two to three hours to tours that include an overnight stay on the lake.
Sunset

Don't leave Siem Reap without watching at least one sunset! The setting times of the sun don't vary too much during the year. The sun sets earliest around 17:30 in mid November and latest around 18:36 in July. Keep in mind that it is getting dark very quickly so it can be helpful to bring a torch with you.The most popular sunset spots are within the Temples of Angkor. Especially Phnom Bakheng is very popular but also very crowded during sunset as you have a great view over the countryside and Angkor Wat. Less crowded and also nice sunset spots are Pre Rup Temple and especially Phnom Krom, which also offers a great view over the countryside and the Lake Tonle Sap. Or just enjoy the late afternoon in Angkor Wat temple, which is illuminated beautifully by the setting sun. But not only the temples offer magnificent sunsets. Take a boat trip to the floating villages of the Tonle Sap lake in the late afternoon and just ask the boat driver to stay on the lake for sunset. Bring some drinks and snacks… Especially in the wet season when the rice fields are lush and green the Cambodian countryside is just breathtaking in the light of the setting sun. Take a trip to the countryside for sunset on the back of a horse, by quad bike or by bicycle.