Cambodia, Siem Reap - Angkor Gateway

The discovery of the Angkor Temple ruins in the 19th century and the subsequent international tourism associated with the now famous UNESCO World Heritage Site has allowed Siem Reap to grow into probably the most "famous" city in Cambodia known to travellers all over the world.

The Siem Reap International Airport (IATA: REP, ICAO: VDSR), Siem Reap, Cambodia (2015)

Silkair, the regional arm of Singapore Airlines, flies direct from Singapore, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2015)

Tourism is the main stay of the local economy in Siem Reap and the number of hotels, restaurants and pubs are a testament to that.

My first impression of Siem Reap with its dusty roads, haphazard traffic and low-rise housings was that it resembles many of the smaller cities common in the developing countries of the South-East Asian region.

However, the friendliness and hospitalities of the locals soon set this small city apart from the rest. Due to my inability to accurately pronounce words in the local language, my transport from the airport to the hotel had erroneously dropped me off at the wrong location. Instead of just shrugging me off and telling me to look for the correct hotel myself, the staff of the first hotel invited me to sit at the lounge, served me drinks and helped to arrange for a local driver of a tuk tuk (a small motorcycle taxi with a carriage for up to 3 persons) to fetch me to the correct hotel. The fact that I was not even their customer speak volumes about their service standards. One of the best that I have encountered in my travels!

View from my seat at the back of a tuk tuk, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2015)

Daytime temperatures in Siem Reap are generally hot and humid. Light clothing will be more suitable in this climate but do note that if you are planning on visiting the Angkor area, then singlets and revealing clothing are generally not recommended. The locals consider many of these ancient sites to be temples and places of worship. Thus, light t-shirts and knee-length Bermudas are the preferred choice.

While I went visiting the temple sites of Angkor and the surrounding areas by day like a wannabe modern day Indiana Jones, the nights in Siem Reap were a different proposition. I have lots of time on my hand. Not surprisingly, I indulged in the activities of pub crawling at the famous Pub Street. Most pubs here do accept the major credit cards but they also accept cash both in US dollars or in the local currency. 

Pub Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2015)

Typical cafe/pub along Pub Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2015)

Cocktail of cocktails, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2015)

Eating out in the small Chinatown area of the city is also an interesting experience. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. However, most small eateries do close early and it is better to have your dinner earlier rather than later. In addition, the local businesses prefer to transact in US dollars. Thus, I would advise all fellow travellers travelling to Siem Reap to come prepared with small denominations of dollar notes. During my trip, denominations of US$1, US$5, US$10 and US$20 works fine. Try to avoids the bigger denominations as most of the small businesses and the tuk tuk drivers do not have enough change in equivalent US$.

Kang kong (water spinach), Siem Reap, Cambodia (2015)

Fried vegetable with prawns and squid, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2015)

Window display of a typical shop selling food, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2015)

Local buns, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2015)

The usual way to get around town is via the tuk tuk and each trip usually cost between US$2 to US$5. Booking a tuk tuk for the whole day can cost up to anywhere between US$15 to US$20.

To summarise, Siem Reap seems to be like a small-scaled version of Bangkok. While the nightlife may not be as as wild and outrageous as those in Bangkok, they are still fun. Chilling out and chatting with friends over a cocktail or beer at any of the many watering holes along Pub Street while watching the world goes by is a refreshing experience.

Excursions on the outskirts of Siem Reap can include a short trip to the Tonle Sap River where tourists can take boat tours on the river all the way to the Tonle Sap Lake. Each boat tour usually last about 2 to 3 hours and cost about USD$20 per person.

Boats at one of the piers of the Tonle Sap River, Siem Reap, Cambodia (2015)

And if you are like most tourists in Siem Reap, then visiting the Angkor temple sites must probably be one of the primary objectives of your visit to this city. Just 6 km from Siem Reap lies the magnificent site of Angkor Wat. Other impressive and must-visit sites include the Angkor Thom  temple complex comprising the temple of Baphoun, the impressive Bayon and the Terrace of the Elephants.

Bayon, Angkor Thom, Cambodia (2015)

Terrace of the Elephants, Angkor Thom, Cambodia (2015)

Siem Reap thus provides the perfect base for fascinating excursions to many interesting places not found anywhere else in the world!