How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Siem Reap – Experience the Enthralling Local Attractions 

Whilst the town of Siem Reap is perhaps best known as the gateway to the absorbing ruins of Angkor, it also offers various other attractions for visitors. Here, you will have the opportunity to experience intriguing temples, interesting colonial-era structures, fascinating museums, engrossing theme parks, lush mountains and picturesque lakes. Described below are some of the places you should visit during your stay in this captivating Cambodian city. 

Tour the Angkor Archaeological Park 

Naturally, you should take the chance to experience the entrancing Angkor Archaeological Park during your visit to this city; this famed UNESCO World Heritage Site includes the unmistakable Angkor Wat in addition to numerous other Buddhist and Hindu temples which were created many centuries ago. These amazing structures may be considered to represent the summit of the civilization, architecture and art of the ancient Khmer people. Another noteworthy attraction here is the remarkable Terrace of the Elephants which happens to be an extensive wall adorned with sculptures depicting elephants, horses, garudas, Khmer warriors and dancers.

Visit the Angkor National Museum

Angkor National Museum | Image via Wikimedia Commons

The splendid Angkor National Museum will draw the interest of culture lovers as it features a collection of artefacts that are representative of the ancient empire of the Khmer people. You will see that this extensive museum is subdivided into a number of galleries which have been organized by era, royalty and religion. It would be a good idea to pay a visit to this museum before visiting the Angkor Archaeological Park as its videos, displays and commentary will help you to understand the famous ruins. One of the Angkor Wat hotels to consider from which you could easily visit this attraction is FCC Angkor in Siem Reap.

View Apsara dances

You will have the opportunity to view traditional Cambodian Apsara dance performances during your visit to Siem Reap and they will provide truly enthralling experiences for visitors. Typically, one of these shows would take approximately two hours to complete. Many of these performances happen to include elements from the four main genres of typical Khmer dance; namely the Apsara Dance, Shadow Theatre, Masked Dance and Folk Dance. Whilst shortened versions of these dances are often presented to tourists, they will still be worthwhile and interesting.

Experience the Baray Lakes

The vast Baray Lakes may be regarded as one of the Angkor complex’s most striking features. They happen to be huge ancient manmade reservoirs and you will find the largest ones in proximity to the Angkor Thom temple complex. Whilst it was formerly believed that these reservoirs were used to provide irrigation for agriculture, presently, some experts are of the view that they actually had a ceremonial and religious purpose. You will also notice a stone temple at the centre of each of the lakes adding to their allure.

Visit the Angkor Silk Farm

A rather different experience that you could enjoy during your visit to Siem Reap is touring the engrossing Artisans d’Angkor Silk Farm; it was founded by Artisans d’Angkor, a business run for charitable purposes that aims to revive and encourage traditional silk production in Cambodia. You will have the opportunity to undertake an informative and interesting guided tour here; it will provide you with an insight into the entire process of silk cultivation and production, including raising silkworms, dyeing the material and weaving the end product.

Admire the Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre

If you have a liking for butterflies, you should undoubtedly take the opportunity to visit the remarkable Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre which may be regarded as the biggest butterfly centre of its kind in the entirety of Southeast Asia. Visiting this unique attraction would offer a marvellous change of setting from the temple tours; it will provide you with the chance to relax amidst the pleasant surroundings and innumerable eye-catching butterflies, some of which are vivid and rare.