Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

The name Siem Reap literally means "Siam Defeated". These days, however, the only rampaging hordes are the tourists heading to the Angkor Archaeological Park.

Located between rice paddies and flanking the Siem Reap River, the small provincial capital of Siem Reap serves as the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Siem Reap has plentiful accommodation, ranging from simpler guesthouses around the old market to five-star resorts nearer the airport. The town is actually the result of a conglomeration of several small villages built around several pagodas and subsequently united under the French and Siem Reap's architecture reflects their influence. Despite its rural location, the town has a healthy nightlife and good restaurants are not hard to find.

Busy City streets

♦ Cambodian Village Trips.

A unique insider look to a real Cambodian life. Spend time with village kids at their school, harvest or plant some corn, and interact with villagers.

♦ Cycling Tours.

It is an ideal way to visit the temples, town and surrounding villages, and to protect the environment at the same time. from $2 per day.

♦ Habitat Tours.

Siem Reap is a hub of ecotourism and conservation efforts.

♦ Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation (SVC).

SVC organizes eco-responsible tours to remote habitats, with the goal of promoting wildlife conservation and benefiting rural communities. Tours range in length from 1 day to 2 weeks.

♦ Massage.

Several Khmer massage parlours can be found in Siem Reap. Unlike those in Bangkok, these are generally genuine massage parlours and not a front for sexual services. The Khmers believe that the Thai massage is derived from Khmer massage which is just as relaxing (and requires less twisting and turning).

♦ Visit an Orphanage.

Think carefully before visiting an orphanage. Is the orphanage sustainable, does it protect children's safety, and are you actually making a contribution (e.g. monetary or in-kind, IF you have checked what the orphanage actually needs). It costs an orphanage time and therefore money (staff hours) to show tourists around. Make sure your visit is a worthwhile one and if you're not sure if it is, think hard before visiting.

♦ Angkor National Museum, 1,000 Buddhas.

The museum also shows the history of the Angkor complex as well as Khmer culture and clothing using high tech displays and video screens.

♦ Landmine Museum

This tiny museum was set up by local deminer Aki Ra to educate locals and tourists about the dangers of land mines. Piles of defused mines and UXO lie around the site and the guides are mostly teenagers who were orphaned or injured by mines, many of whom live onsite.

♦ Kampong Phluk Floating Village

(off the Highway to Phnom Penh). This is a much more authentic 'floating village experience' than the one close to the Tonlé Sap ferry harbour. Enquire at your local hotel for a day trip to this fascinating village on stilts, which should cost ~$30. It takes about 2 hours to reach the village, depending on the road conditions and water level.

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