Cambodia siem reap map. How to get to Siem Reap from Thailand. Excursions Angkor. Special offer

Siem Reap- This small town in Cambodia, located near the main tourist attraction of the country - temple complex Angkor. I have long been interested in the Khmer Empire, and I have always been amazed that they could build such grandiose structures as Angkor Wat - the world's largest Hindu monument of culture and architecture. And finally I decided to persuade my husband to go and figure it all out on my own. So we went to Siem Reap on our own from Thailand for the first time.

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Personally, we have been to Siem Reap several times, and we are always curious to return to Cambodia. So we will describe more than once our impressions of how the city is growing in the neighborhood of Angkor and what is changing in it. In the meantime, let's start with how to see this city.

There are six easiest options for getting to Siem Reap in Cambodia:

1. by plane from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and other Asian cities;
2. by bus from neighboring countries - Thailand, Vietnam, Laos;
3. by taxi from the border town of Poipet;
4. by train from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet, and the rest of the way by taxi or bus;
5. by boat from Phnom Penh and Battambang;
6. by helicopter from Phnom Penh and Battambang.

And now I will tell you in detail about each method.

By plane

Flying to Siem Reap by plane is the easiest way to get to the city of Angkor. Airlines fly here with direct flights from all neighboring Asian countries and cities. You can only choose the one that is more convenient. By the way, Siem Reap Departure Tax is always included in the ticket price if it is an international flight. If you bought a ticket for a home flight, then before departure you need to pay $12. It is better to pay in cash.

Here is a list of all airlines flying to Siem Reap and departure cities:

• AirAsia (Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok)
• Air Hanuman (Pattaya)
• Asiana Airlines (Seoul)
• Bangkok Airways (Bangkok)
• Cambodia Angkor Air (Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Bangkok)
• Cathay Pacific Airways - Dragonair (Hong Kong)
• Cebu Pacific Air (Manila)
• China Eastern Airlines (Kunming, Nanning)
• China Southern Airlines (Guangzhou)
• Hong Kong Express (Hong Kong)
• Jetstar Asia (Singapore)
• Korean Air (Seoul-Incheon)
• Lao Airlines (Luang Prabang, Pakse)
• Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur)
• Silk Air (Danang, Singapore)
• THAI Smile Airways (Bangkok)
• Vietnam Airlines (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Luang Prabang)

We recommend watching in advance. Flights to Siem Reap at this link >> *
* airlines often arrange sales, do not miss the opportunity to buy a ticket

You can board a plane in your own country and, with a transfer in one of the Asian cities, fly to the second international Airport Cambodia. From Moscow, it is most convenient to fly to Siem Reap with a change in Bangkok. Transfer from Siem Reap Airport to the hotel is usually provided free of charge if the hotel is already booked, but will be taken to the airport for $5. A taxi from the airport costs $7.

Coming to Siem Rin by bus is also very easy. You can come from the border states with Cambodia. The most popular route to Siem Reap is from Bangkok. There are also excursions from Pattaya to Angkor. Some tourists prefer to do this route on their own, arriving by bus.

• To Siem Reap from Thailand: buses that do not need to be changed at the border are operated by the Nattakarn Bus Company, which departs from Northern bus station Mo Chit in Bangkok. All other ways include different variations - how to come to the border from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet, and from there go to the Cambodian city of Poipet and go further to Siem Reap. We traveled this route several times and share our experience -, history and practical information About, ).
• To Siem Reap from Vietnam. Travelers in Southeast Asia can also get to Angkor Wat from Vietnam by driving to Cambodia by bus from Na Trang and Ho Chi Minh City. Ticket prices range from $18 to $25.
• To Siem Reap from Laos. There is another very non-trivial way - to come to Siem Reap from southern Laos - from Pakse ($30) and from 4000 islands of Don Det ($35). Read the story of how we went this way the other way around and managed not to pay the border mafia not a dollar, read.

By bus you can get to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh - $7-15, Sihanoukville - $13-18, Battambang - $5, Kampong Thom - $7, Sisopon - $5 and Poipet - $5 and other cities of Cambodia.

Taxi from Poipet to Siem Reap

Arriving in Poipet by bus from Bangkok, most of the tourists do not transfer to another bus, but try to find fellow travelers in order to save on a taxi ride. A taxi to Siem Reap for 4 people costs $25-45 depending on the impudence of the taxi driver. Official taxis from the center of Poipet carry for $25.

By boat to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh and Battambang

Passenger boat is one of the exotic ways to come to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh and Battambang and see Cambodia along the way.

• From Phnom Penh. This trip along the Tonle Sap river and lake is feasible from July to March during the rainy season and the cool season. The boat starts at 7.30 from Phnom Penh and arrives in Siem Reap in 6 hours. The cost of such a trip is $28-30.
• From Battambang– a similar way to get to Siem Reap will take 5 hours and costs $20-25.

By train from Bangok to Aranyaprathet

The railway in Cambodia exists, but does not function for the transport of passengers. However, you can take the train from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet. Then cross the border to Poipet and choose a further method of transportation - by bus or taxi to Siem Reap.

The train departs from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet twice a day - at 5.55 and 13.05. Ticket price - 45-200 baht. Travel time is 4-5 hours. But keep in mind that trains in Thailand are always late.

Helicopter to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh and Battambang

In order not to waste time and immediately go to the temples of Angkor, you can order a helicopter and fly to Siem Reap from any city in Cambodia. Charter flights are handled by Helistar Cambodia and Helicopters Cambodia.

The cost of a helicopter flight, accommodating 5-6 people, starts at a thousand dollars. From Battambang the flight costs $1600 and from Phnom Penh $4700.

It will be quite easy for tourists to orient themselves in the city of Siem Reap if you look at its maps in advance.

Open large Google map →

In different colors on the map are marked:

• Blue - the sights of Siem Reap, as well as a place to buy tickets to Angkor Wat;
• Orange - airport and bus stations;
• Purple - temples in the city and Angkor Wat;
• Dark brown - bank branches in the city;
• Light brown - gas stations, gas stations;
• Green color - a place for renting electric bikes (e-bike);
• Dark red - hospital and post office;
• Grey - border crossings with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

Siem Reap city maps

Since you need to spend some time in the city, the maps will not hurt anyone. But Siem Reap, or rather its tourist part, is quite small and it is quite easy to navigate there.

Map tourist area around the Old Market

Siem Reap, and especially its tourist part - the area around the Old Market - is not so big. However, you can use various types transport to move around the city both independently and with the help of a taxi.

• On foot. It's easy. As I said, the city is small.
• By bike. Many guesthouses rent bicycles for $1-3 per day.
• On an electric bike(E-bike). This newfangled introduction has already paid off in, and now it has also captured Siem Reap. Electric bikes cost $10 per day (you need a passport to rent). They are usually charged at night, but they can also be charged along the way - pay attention to the special green signs (by the way, they are also located along the Small and Large circles of Angkor). A full charge makes it possible to drive 42 km. In one hour, you can charge an electric bike for 5 km.
• On a motorbike. Since 2016, it has become possible to ride motorbikes in Siem Reap! We personally tried this way of visiting the temples of Angkor and were very pleased with the freedom of movement. Renting a motorbike in Siem Reap costs $10-20.
• By tuk tuk or remorka. Tuk-tuks can be found everywhere in the city. Decent hotels have their own tuk-tuk drivers who drive around the city for free. A tuk-tuk usually costs $1. However, always negotiate the price and destination in advance.

One of the main issues that worries travelers is the weather in. Now I will tell you when is the best time to go to Siem Reap. It should be borne in mind that, like in other countries of Southeast Asia, monsoons rule in Cambodia, and under their influence the Siem Reap weather. There are usually three seasons of climate in Cambodia - cool, hot and rainy season.

• cool season(November - January) is characterized by the coldest weather in Siem Reap and Cambodia. But this only means that rains will be rare, and the temperature will be kept at about 26-29 ° C. However, this is the best time to visit Cambodia and Siem Reap. Many of the poorly accessible during the rainy season, such as Mount Kulen and the river of a thousand lingams Kbal Spean, will be open to the public.
• hot season(February - April) - this is the most difficult period of the year to travel in Cambodia. And the sweltering heat will be the main enemy. In Siem Reap at this time the sun heats the air up to 40 °C. There is no rain, and the rivers and streams dry up. The surrounding fields can also burn, and smog can stand in the air. Not the best time to visit Siem Reap, but possible if you can handle the heat well. Plus, there are fewer tourists. Never forget to take a supply of water with you!
• Rain season(May-October) is a good time to visit Siem Reap. And although rain is expected, and therefore cloudy (Mount Kulen and Kbal Spean will be partially inaccessible), usually bad weather does not last all day. As a rule, rains and thunderstorms occur at night or in the evening, which makes it possible in the first half of the day (from early morning to 16.00) to see the sights of Siem Reap and Angkor. At this time, the temperature is kept around 30 ° C.

The air temperature in Siem Reap and the amount of precipitation by months:

A hotel in Siem Reap should be chosen according to your own plans. There are a lot of places to stay in the city, as they say, for every taste and budget, and every year there are more and more hotels. All hotels in Siem Reap

There are several criteria by which you should choose a hotel or guesthouse:

• Are you a fan of walking in the evening, do you want to go around all the places and have fun in the company of other travelers? Settle closer to Pub Street (Pub street). One street name will tell you that it is noisy and fun here every evening, seven days a week. And the guesthouses are the cheapest. I left my things in the room, you walk all day and come only to sleep.
  We recommend choosing from the best options:
  – One Stop Hostel Siem Reap @ Pub Street- grade 8.9
  – Onederz Hostel Siem Reap- grade 9.5
  – Angkor Breeze Central Villa- grade 9.0

• If, on the contrary, you do not want to live in the thick of things and be away from the noisy market, choose quiet streets. The most comfortable hotels in Siem Reap are located a little further from the city center. There are restaurants almost everywhere, just in a slightly smaller concentration. Here are examples of hotels:
  – Oriental Siem Reap- grade 9.5
  – La Maison du Passant- grade 9.4
  – Homestay Chreav- grade 9.6

• If you plan to leave early every day - in particular at dawn to Angkor Wat or go to distant Khmer temples (for example, Banteay Srey or Beng Melia) at the best morning time, when the light is good and there are no people - then you should not choose a hotel with breakfast. But it’s better to think about how to eat on the road - stock up on food in the evening and eat while the tuker is carrying you, or stop by some cafe along the way.
  – Viroth's Villa- grade 9.5
  – Sambath Residence- grade 9.4
  – Sala Lodges- grade 9.4

• And if you like to sleep well and have a good breakfast, then be sure to choose a hotel in Siem Rim with breakfast included in the price. And preferably with a pool. By the way, even inexpensive guesthouses in Siem Reap, where the room rate is only $10-12, treat their guests to breakfast.
  – The Bayon Villa- grade 9.7
  – Central Indochine D'angkor Hotel- grade 9.3
  – Bunwin Residence- grade 9.3
  

Our hotel in Siem Reap. Very good number with private facilities and air conditioning in a quiet location for $ 11 with breakfast - Oral D'Angkor Guesthouse. The owners are a British-Khmer family

• The restaurant in the hotel will be convenient if you do not want to walk around the city in the evening, but plan to relax in your room after a rich cultural program. Otherwise, it's easier to go to one of the countless restaurants in Siem Reap and dine there.
  – Chronicle Residence & Spa- grade 9.3
  – Sumeru Boutique Hotel & Spa- grade 10.0
  – Residence Indochine D'angkor- grade 9.3

• But the pool, if the budget allows, it seems to me, is almost a mandatory criterion. After all, just the opportunity to swim in hot Siem Reap after a tiring day will be the best end to the evening.
  – Dream Mango Villa- grade 9.7
  –Villa b. Maison d'Hotes Angkor- grade 9.8
  – Silver Palms Residence- grade 9.5

• And finally, if you want to stay in the most luxurious hotel in Siem Reap, we recommend that you choose from these:
  – Phum Baitang- grade 9.5 (Luxury 5* villa for outdoor recreation. Terrace, spa, swimming pool, garden)
  – The Privilege Boutique- grade 9.6 (unique 5* spa suites in the city)
  – Prince d'Angkor Hotel & Spa- grade 8.7 (spa hotel 5 * in Cambodian style, the best in the city).

Where to look for hotels in Siem Reap?

As I already said, cafes and restaurants in Siem Reap are apparently invisible: from those located right in the hotel, specialized expensive restaurants for wealthy travelers, eateries next to the market where you can get large and tasty portions for $ 1.5 and ending with canteens and cafes scattered through the streets of the city. The central part of Siem Reap, where tourists live, consists entirely of hotels and restaurants, and only occasionally there are shops, banks and government agencies.

• In Siem Reap you can taste any cuisine of the world. Literally everything is represented: Khmer cuisine, Thai, Italian, Chinese, American. Plenty of pizzerias and cafes serving sandwiches and burgers, there is KFC, Burger King - there is everything! Even vegetarians will be happy in Siem Reap - almost every eatery has a vegetarian menu!
• Do not forget that, as in any hot country in Southeast Asia, fruit shakes are popular in Siem Reap, and the price for them is very low - $ 1-1.5.
• And the famous Pub Street in Siem Reap, of course, speaks for itself - lovers of beer in the company of friends will not be disappointed.
• IN Lately in Siem Reap, many small shops and large supermarkets have opened, selling the assortment of food, clothes, and even souvenirs familiar to any European.

Nice restaurant in Siem Reap that also has a great selection of vegetarian options

And what about himself Siem Reap city? In recent years, the city has become cleaner, people have become richer. There are many more tourists and tukers on the streets. And the Chinese are the bulk of the tourists in Cambodia today.

But the first thing that catches your eye when walking around Siem Reap is the rows of new motorbikes! Yes, yes, now you can see Angkor on a motorcycle on your own! This is just great news for everyone who is so used to riding freely in neighboring Thailand, and in Cambodia was forced to hire a driver with a tuk-tuk.

Nevertheless, tukers still carry tourists on their remorks (tuk-tuks), and those who find it more convenient to see the temples of Angkor without thinking about routes will still be satisfied.

Tuk-tuks are used not only to show tourists Angkor. Cargo remork carries furniture through the streets of Siem Reap

The glory of Cambodia as a country of one dollar is confirmed. There are a couple of tuk-tuks nearby, of course, ready to serve tourists!

And here they are - motorbikes in Siem Reap!

Things to see in Siem Reap

Siem Reap is not such a rich city in attractions, especially compared to Bangkok. But the inhabitants of Siem Reap do not lose heart, because there are temples of Angkor nearby. And yet, if you have daytime to explore the city, then it is worth visiting some of the highlights:

After visiting the temples of Angkor, the first thing to do is to relax. But what to do in Siem Reap during the day and in the evening, I will tell you now.

Things to do in Siem Reap during the day:

In the evening you can go to restaurants or cafes, shop, visit the night market. Also, evening leisure in Siem Reap can be spent by going to popular performances:

• Dance - highly recommended!

Night market in Siem Reap little different from daytime. But it is convenient precisely because it works in the evening. The same silver jewelry, T-shirts, paintings, food and other souvenirs. Salons offer massage of any kind right on the street. Foot massage with fish is generally one of the most favorite entertainments in Siem Reap for many tourists. You sit to yourself, drink a fruit shake, and the fish do their job.

Trading at the Siem Reap Night Market starts at nightfall

Various shows both decent and not very popular are still popular in the city of Siem Reap.

We are not experts in nightlife Asian cities, so we won’t be able to tell you about the details of nightlife, but such information is probably easily searched for in the relevant blogs and forums. But it cannot be that someone gets bored here in a tourist city. Everyone will find pleasure and leisure to their liking.

Numerous restaurants and bars are open where you can eat quite inexpensively, drink beer, cocktails, meet other travelers and agree, for example, to go to distant temples and split the cost of the trip in half.

All world flags in Siem Reap! But, unfortunately, we could not find high-quality flags that we bought a few years ago. Presented are poorly stitched and will not withstand washing

sacred souvenirs. With the purchase of Buddha statues, you need to be careful. For example, in Thailand there is a rule banning the export of Buddha images. It is necessary to carefully read the rules in force in Cambodia and neighboring countries, about which souvenirs can be exported and which are prohibited

But there are a lot of clothes in the markets of Siem Reap - mostly not of very high quality, unfortunately. But if the goal is to buy a pair of T-shirts and pants to wear while on vacation, why not?

The city of Siem Reap is also famous for selling cheap silver here. When buying, you must choose carefully to get a quality product of the highest standard.

And of course, in Siem Reap you can buy paintings to hang in your house upon arrival. The stories are all the same. You just need to choose a topic that is closer to you.

If you want to bring a souvenir from Cambodia, then you need to be prepared for the fact that market in Siem Reap most textiles and various handicrafts are of rather poor quality. T-shirts for three washings, the seams are barely stitched, the threads stick out. It will take a very long time to look for a quality thing, unless of course you are lucky the first time.

But what is really worth buying in Cambodia, as a unique and real souvenir, is black pepper from Campot pepper. If you are not going to Kampot itself, where everything will be cheaper, then it is worth buying it either in any supermarket (cheaper) or in tourist markets throughout the city (very expensive). We went to the usual city market for locals, where they sell vegetables, meat and other food. There, for a pound of not very high-quality pepper, they asked for $ 5. And for quality, they did not agree to take less than $ 6.5. But the pepper is very good, fragrant, spicy and fragrant! And the price is twice or even three times lower than in the store!

Pepper from Kampot the best souvenir, which can be brought from Cambodia, except for impressions, of course!

Siem Reap. Angkor - how to see, maps and prices

Every tourist goes to Siem Reap in Cambodia not for the sake of the city itself, but to see the temples of Angkor and the famous Angkor Wat!

angkor wat

• You can also see the most famous and colorful temples, including Angkor Wat. The length of the route is 30 km, in terms of time - from 4 to 6 hours for inspection.
• combines the Small Circle with other temples that are located near Siem Reap. The length of the route is 35 km. Time for inspection 5 - 8 hours.
• - a miniature and unique temple. Many consider it to be the most beautiful in Cambodia and even put it in front of the Angkor Wat temple itself. It can be added to the Greater or Lesser Circle of Angkor.
• The very first temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, included in. Not the most popular among tourists.
• Standing aside from the routes of the Small and Large circles, but a very curious temple of Banteay Samre.
• The distant temples of Angkor - and. The pyramid can only be reached by car, and they take tuk-tuks to Beng Melia, but this trip will take half a day.
• - Preah Vihea or Banteay Chma are also worth attention.
• Natural and architectural wonders - Mount Kulen (it was here that Jayavarman II declared himself a god-king) and. They also need to be visited separately, or added to one of standard routes from Siem Reap to Angkor.
• Ethnographic visit to the floating village

How can all these sights of Siem Reap fit into one itinerary - for a day or several days? We will write about all this in detail. And of course, we will discuss each route, including non-standard, personally invented routes that we tried on our last visit to Siem Reap. Read about Angkor itineraries.

Angkor is the main attraction in Siem Reap

Lately on central streets Siem Reap has a lot of points where you can rent a motorcycle (electric or gasoline). We took advantage of this option with pleasure and quite examined Angkor Wat and other temples on motorbikes. On main street or next to Pub Street, you can go around several shops and choose your favorite scooter at a price that suits you. The cost for rent is $10-20. But you can bargain.

Gasoline is sold at a central gas station in Siem Reap or from plastic bottles on the counters in different villages.

Here short video from Angkor (Banteay Kdei) near Siem Reap:

Tuk-tuk prices in Siem Reap in 2016:

Tuk-tuk prices in Siem Reap - how much does a large and small circle cost. Here are some prices you can look at

Angkor temple complex maps

In this section, we will present best cards Angkor, available on the net, which will help you deal with the sights of Siem Reap. And in our other articles, we will provide a detailed map-scheme for each temple, so that it is more convenient to understand what kind of building it is.

The most convenient map for visiting the temples of Angkor and making a route

playful tourist map Siem Reap

Siem Reap - our review

We can say with confidence that it is getting better and cleaner, there are more hotels and restaurants. We liked that along with the influx of tourists, civilization is gradually coming to poor Cambodia, and Siem Reap is in the clear leader in this indicator. Since this morning, it's nice to go out onto the balcony and see coconuts hugged sunlight. What can be said as a conclusion about visiting Siem Reap compared to what was here before:

• Corruption in Cambodia is invincible, and you can only fight it with your feet, that is, without coming here;
• Prices in cheap cafes in Siem Reap have not changed, and in expensive restaurants they have even dropped slightly;
• Hotel prices have not changed either (from $5 to infinity);
• Tuk-tuk prices at budget guesthouses have not changed;
• But the prices for tickets to Angkor have risen. Since February 2017, the Angkor pass costs $37 for one day, $62 for three days, and $72 for a week. 2 USD from each ticket go to maintain a hospital for children;
• It became possible to travel around Angkor on your own on a motorbike or bicycle;
• Appeared travel agencies offering new interesting tours, for example, to Pre Vihea.

In principle, you can exchange currency in Siem Reap for local riels - at a bank or at a hotel. But there is no real need for this, since in Cambodia the US dollar circulates almost like a second currency. National currency. Cambodian riels may end up in your collection when shops give you change that is not a multiple of dollars. It is possible and necessary to pay for your purchase in dollars and riels at the same time. Cambodian riel to US dollar exchange rate: 1 USD = 4000 riels.

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First of all, you need to find and compare the prices of hotels with discounts on different booking sites. In order not to waste time, we use a convenient search engine - RoomGuru. He immediately looks for the best deals on the Internet and shows the most profitable ones. It remains only to choose the right one and go on vacation!

Siem Reap is one of the most visited cities in Cambodia. Although the local population is small, only 200 thousand people, such popularity is due to the fact that Angkor Wat, a popular tourist destination, is located not far from it.

Siem Reap city on the map of Cambodia:

Name history and city today

The name of the city was not chosen by chance. Translated from Khmer, "Siem Reap" literally sounds like "Siem is defeated." This name, founded in 802, was given to the city after the troops of the Khmer Empire expelled the Thais from here in the 16th century. Prior to this event, the city was simply called "Siem".

active transformation into resort area began in the 1990s. Today it is a popular historical resort, but with a rather weak infrastructure (which is typical for all of Cambodia). Nevertheless, 2 million people from all over the world come here every year for the sake of.

Sights and excursions in Siem Reap

The city is not the most interesting, and if you try, you can find interesting places. For example:

• Elephant Terrace, which was rebuilt by order of the king of the Khmer Empire, Jayavarman VII. In this way he honored his mighty army of elephants, which was feared by the enemies of the king. There is a huge number of sculptural reliefs and statues of these amazing animals.
• Independence Monument- an exact copy of a similar monument erected in the capital of Cambodia in honor of the liberation from French colonization.
• Lake Tonle Sap- the largest body of water in all of Cambodia, while its size is not constant and depends on the rainy season. In times of drought, the area of ​​this wonderful place is approximately 3 thousand m2. When it rains, it increases to 16 thousand m2. The fauna presented in the reservoir and its surroundings is impressive: about 850 species of fish, birds, snakes, turtles, etc.
• Mine Museum is one of the most unusual museums in the world. Fully dedicated to mines and the effects of this terrible type of weapon. By the way, 40% of the cost of the entrance ticket goes to charity: one half to sponsor the work of sappers, the other half to help people affected by the explosions.

Also popular here are such activities as: elephant riding or a walk through the crocodile farm, visiting fishing villages and rice fields and a helicopter or hot air balloon flight around Siem Reap.

For those who cannot live without shopping, this is the best place for shopping in Cambodia. There are many shops and shops throughout the city, and several markets. The most famous and largest are the Old Market, the Central Market and the Night Market.

Well, for lovers of nightlife, a whole street has been built - Pub Street. There are places of entertainment, restaurants, nightclubs.

Urban transport

The main mode of transport in the city is a tuk-tuk, which is a bike with a carriage attached to it. Such transport transports from 2 to 4 people at a time, depending on the number of seats in it. The fare ranges from $2 to $5 per trip from all passengers.

Another possible option is a bike. It can be rented for independent movement for $ 15-20 per day. Or you can take a motorcycle taxi with a driver who will take you wherever you need for a nominal fee of $ 1 to $ 5.

If you want to manage the road yourself, but are afraid to drive a bike, then rent a bike. It will cost from $1 to $3 per rental day.

There are no buses in the city as such, even few cars. But it is possible to rent an old Toyota Camry with a driver to help you get to the temple grounds, the lake, or other cities. It will cost $6-$8.

Cheap hotels in Siem Reap

There are more than enough options for living in the city. Here are some of them:

• Lin Ratanak Angkor Hotel is one of the best options for families. The hotel itself is not located in the city center and is popular due to its service. The hotel belongs to the category of four-star hotels, but those who rested here appreciate the level and quality of service for all five stars. The residential complex of the hotel has 104 rooms, on the territory there is a restaurant with local, Asian and European cuisine, a grocery store, a fitness center with a spa center and a swimming pool. Hotel provides guests with an airport shuttle service free of charge.
• De Sonyn Boutique - is a ten minute walk from the main entertainment street of the city Pub Street and a fifteen minute drive from the airport. The hotel is relatively young, built in 2012, but has already earned a place in the list of favorite hotels among tourists. In terms of size, this is a mini-hotel: there are 16 rooms, a garden, a swimming pool open type and a restaurant for guests.
• The Bayon Villa is another place to stay almost in the heart of the city. It takes 10 minutes from the airport. The hotel offers comfortable accommodation with TV and minibar, as well as free internet and barbecue facilities.
• Ring Boutique Hotel - stands out among city buildings with unusual architecture. There is a swimming pool with lighting, a restaurant, a bar. Transfers to and from the airport are provided.

Other hotels in Siem Reap with discounts from Booking:

Cafes and restaurants, local cuisine

Eating out in restaurants in Cambodia is more expensive than in Vietnam or Thailand. But Cambodian cuisine is quite tasty, although not very diverse. Tourists are also offered Chinese and Japanese, Italian, French, Thai and other cuisines.

The average check is no higher than $15, more often $6-$8 per person, which is also quite a lot.
Of the interesting places can be identified:

• Grill Wine Cafe- with insanely delicious cuisine, for meat lovers.
• Mango Cuisine— a small restaurant with a romantic atmosphere. Suitable for vegetarians.
• Spoons- a restaurant where you can taste Asian or local cuisine at reasonable prices.
• Happy Angkor Pizza- the best happy pizza in Siem reap with the addition of ganja. The effect is achieved in an hour and can last for several hours - it is better not to drive.
• Angkor What? bar- the most famous bar in Siem Reap with inexpensive alcohol and an incendiary atmosphere. Their slogan reads: "Encouraging irresponsible drinking since 1998."

The most common local dish is fish amok cooked with coconut milk. No less popular among tourists: pork with ginger or fried fish with sweet and sour vegetable sauce.

Here are some food prices in Cambodia cafes:

Useful information for visitors

• Packing your bags for a trip, take with you several pairs of waterproof shoes. The roads here are often flooded with rain, and they are rarely repaired.
• The local currency is , but do not rush to exchange money for it. Here they calmly accept the usual dollars.
• Don't forget to bargain in shops and markets, it is so accepted here. It is quite possible to knock down the initial price tag several times and leave with the desired product, having bought it at the right price.
• At the hotel take free guide so as not to stray around the city in search of the right locations. Or download a set of required .
• And, of course, be polite and courteous with the staff of the hotel where you are staying, and with local population. And then the rest will be comfortable and enjoyable.

How to get from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville?

Sihanoukville is the main resort town of Cambodia, where most often travel from Siem Reap. There are several ways to get there:

• By night bus- Travel time - 11 hours, from 8 pm to 6 am. The cost of the trip is $ 20 dollars if you buy a ticket from the porter at the hotel. If you choose this option, don't forget to bring warm clothes with you so you don't get cold on the bus at night.

Cabins in a hotel bus from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville

• By taxi– order a car from the hotel. The option is convenient because you don’t have to adjust to the schedule and other passengers, but it comes out much more expensive in cost - from $ 200.
• By plane- most fast option for those who value their time. Travel time is only 50 minutes. Buy tickets at aviasales.ru, the cost is from $ 178. Get to the airport using a tuk-tuk or a transfer from the hotel where you stayed in Siem Reap.

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Hello, dear readers - seekers of knowledge and truth!

We invite you to continue our cycle of joint virtual travels, which have already become a good tradition of the blog. Today we will move to the Cambodian city of Siem Reap.

In the article we will try to take you into the colorful Khmer atmosphere, introduce you to history, unique temples, picturesque places, that are calling card not only the city, but the whole country. From the material below you will learn what to see in this town, what features it hides in itself, how to get to it.

Onward to mysterious adventures!

General information

Finding the city of Siem Reap on the map is not difficult - it is located in the northwestern part of Cambodia, three hundred kilometers from the capital, in the province of the same name with an area of ​​just over 10,000 square kilometers. This is one of the most famous Khmer cities, which is not surprising - just five kilometers north of the city border is the world famous temple complex, which is considered the largest on our planet. Hundreds of tourists come to Angkor every day, and they settle in Siem Reap, because there is no infrastructure in the complex itself.

Streets of Siem Reap, Cambodia

The city does not have an officially approved name in Russian: you can also write "Siem Reap", "Siem Rep", "Simrep" "Siem Reap" - there will be no mistake. And although the city itself was founded in 806, it received its modern name only in the 16th century, when the Khmers defeated the Siamese (Thai) troops that constantly attacked them. The name from Khmer is translated as “Siam is defeated”.

However, until the beginning of the last century, Siem Reap remained only a small fishing village. Everything changed when the French restored Angkor Wat, from which the ruins remained. Since then, curious tourists have been arriving on these lands, and the city itself has grown before our eyes.

Now the population is about two hundred thousand people. The appearance of the city is cozy, low-rise - most of the buildings do not exceed 3-4 floors, and this is its charm. But at the same time, the infrastructure is very well established: there are many hotels, restaurants for every taste and budget around, there are modern shopping centers, massage parlors, spa centers, souvenir shops.

Pub Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia

The city can be reached in three ways:

• by plane - 7 kilometers from the city there is a fairly large international airport that welcomes guests from Thai, North Korean, South Korean, Singaporean, Malaysian, Vietnamese capitals, as well as from Phnom Penh, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and a number of other large cities;
• by bus - there is an excellent bus service between Siem Reap and other Khmer cities, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok;
• across Lake Tonle Sap - boats and small river boats depart from Phnom Penh and Battambang.

The climate in Cambodia is known to be humid tropical. The average daily temperature is quite high - from 28 to 34 degrees Celsius. At night, the thermometer drops by about five degrees.

It is better to come to Siem Reap during the dry season, when the rains do not rage - from the end of November to the end of March. At this time, the weather here is guaranteed to be good without rain, strong humidity and scorching sun.

It is definitely worth coming to Siem Reap to see many interesting places, historical and modern Buddhist temples, relax in green parks, and touch the Khmer culture. The only point is that the city has no access to the sea, but you can enjoy the elements of water on the cozy embankment of a small river, named the same as the city itself.

The most important temple

The main asset of Siem Reap and Cambodia as a whole is the ruins of the city of Angkor, the once powerful capital of the Khmer kingdom. Now here is the largest temple complex in the world - its area exceeds 400,000 square kilometers, and almost all tourists come primarily for its sake.

Most of the buildings date back to the 12th century, when the ruler Suryavarman II was in power, and are dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Now the entire territory can be divided into two parts: Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.

Temple set of Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The main structure of Angkor Wat is made of sandstone. The facade is built in the form of five turrets: one, the central one, is the largest, and four others are smaller and look at different parts of the world. Together they symbolize the sacred - the center of the universe according to Buddhists and Hindus.

The Angkor complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A little further away is the center of the former royal city- Angkor Thom. It is surrounded by a strong wall eight meters high. The main building here is the Bayon Temple, dedicated to the glorification of the Buddha.

Bayon is a three-tiered temple-tower, somewhat similar to a stone mountain. The perimeter of the base reaches 600 meters.

In total, there are 54 towers here, and the faces of the Buddha look at all cardinal points of each of them - there are a total of 208 such statues. On the walls of many buildings you can also see skillful bas-reliefs depicting Buddhist motifs and scenes from life. ordinary people.

Bayon Temple, Cambodia

Another temple network is Ta Prohm. During construction, at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries, it was called "Rajavihara" and was conceived as Buddhist temple and university. Now it is notable for its appearance: the shrine seemed to be given into the hands of the jungle, tenacious vines and powerful tree roots wrapped around the facade and what was left of it. The fact that many shots of the film "Lara Croft" with Angelina Jolie in the title role were filmed here also gave Ta Proh huge popularity.

Phnom Kulen Park

The park has the status of a national park, and not without reason - it has been around for 11 centuries, and the waterfalls located on its territory are unofficially considered the natural heritage of the Khmers. It is located about 50 kilometers from the city. Except amazing beauty nature, solitude, silence and harmony, there are other values ​​here:

• Statue - he is depicted lying on his side, and the length of the sculpture reaches 8 meters. This place is considered sacred for Buddhists, and they easily overcome the distance of half a kilometer uphill to touch the statue of the Teacher.

Reclining Buddha statue on Mount Kulen, Cambodia

• Ruined facade of an ancient Buddhist wat.
• Embankment of the Siem Reap River, along which a thousand created from stone stretched lingams And yoni- male and female symbols in Hinduism.

Lingas on sacred mountain Kulen, Cambodia

Swimming is allowed in some parts of the park's waters, so it's a good idea to bring swimwear with you.

Wat Phra Prom Rat

Right in the middle of the city, not far from the main tourist street with restaurants, shopping pavilions and noisy bars, a Buddhist wat appears a little unexpectedly. It has a history of five centuries, but it looks very modern, traditional and bright. The fact is that the new building was rebuilt only in the last century.

Temple Wat Phra Prom Rat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

This is a functioning monastery, so you can meet monks and Buddhist parishioners here every day. The ensemble consists of a stupa with a main hall, a university building and many beautiful small turrets. Everywhere you can see symbols of Buddhism, small statues of deities, images of mythical birds and animals.

The buildings seem to be buried in the freshness and greenery of the garden laid out around. According to travelers, Wat Phra Prom Rat has become green island, an oasis of spirituality among the modern Cambodian city.

Banteay Kdey

The temple is located near the city border, and its name translates as "Center of Shrines." According to historians, it was built in the 12th century, when the kingdom was ruled by Jayavarman the Seventh, but today the sanctuary is almost completely destroyed.

Banteay Kdei Temple, Siem Reap

Apparently, this temple was built on the foundations of an earlier Buddhist monastery. The construction was carried out chaotically, for quite a long time, as a result of which several different styles were mixed in the architectural solution. Now the ancient shrine began to be reconstructed.

Loley

This is an ancient Buddhist temple dating from the end of the 9th century. Then King Yasovarman the First was in power, and he erected a shrine in honor of his father, Indravarman the First. Its highlight is its unique location - on small island in the middle of an artificial reservoir.

Lolei Temple, Siem Reap

Today, there is a functioning monastery here. Unfortunately, partly because of this, it was not possible to recreate the original appearance of the sanctuary - the local monks dismantled the ruins they did not need. However, on some facades you can see religious motifs: nagas, deities, animals.

Other important places

Most tourists come to Siem Reap to visit Angkor Wat. But, in addition to unique temples, the city boasts other attractions:

• National Museum Angkor - contains exhibits dedicated to the buildings of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, in particular, their interesting history. Hours of operation are from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Angkor National Museum, Siem Reap, Cambodia

• Silk Factory - conducts fascinating tours where you can learn how silk is made.
• The quarter of masters is famous for outlandish products that are produced here: ceramics, cosmetics, pottery.
• Royal Park - there are lakes, rare species of trees and many stone sculptures.

Royal Park in Siem Reap, Cambodia

• Military Museum - conveys the energy of the tragic events of the last century and allows you to better understand the Khmer soul. Hours of operation are from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Tourist street, also known as "pub street" - has collected everything for the entertainment of tourists: spa centers, cafes, bars, shops, clubs.
• Night market where you can buy clothes, shoes, accessories, gifts for relatives at low prices. Despite the name, it also works during the daytime.
• Mine Museum - dozens of mines are collected here, which were found throughout the country after demilitarization. Open from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm.

Ming Museum, Siem Reap

• Banteay samre is a Hindu temple surrounded by wild jungle. It has a thousand-year history, but, despite this, it has been perfectly preserved to this day.

Banteay Samre Temple, Siem Reap

Conclusion

Siem Reap is an amazing city, one of the most important in Cambodia. People come here primarily for the sake of the ruins of the ancient mighty city Angkor. But besides it, there are many other temples with amazing architecture, cozy parks, French houses inherited from the colonialists, and historical museums. Siem Reap is a place that every traveler should definitely visit.

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- a provincial town with a population of 140 thousand people, located in the north-west of Cambodia and especially loved by tourists in recent years. Interest is connected with the close location of the Angkor temple complex - the famous Khmer landmark. Literally, the name of the town is translated as "Siam is defeated." Previously, Siam was called Thailand, with which Cambodia has a border 803 km long.

Video: Siem Reap

In the footsteps of the Holy City of Angkor

The history of the province of Siem Reap is closely intertwined with the Khmer Empire. In ancient times, several of its capitals were located on the territory of the town. IN X-XII centuries Angkor was considered a large settlement, but in the 15th century it was captured and destroyed. The city began to overgrow with trees, and the jungle hid it from people. But in the middle of the 19th century, the remains of buildings were discovered by European researchers.

Angkor is the main reason why people go to Siem Reap. From the city to the complex - 8 km. Today Angkor covers an area of ​​200 square meters. km and unites temples, palaces, reservoirs and diversion channels. On the roads of the complex, they offer to ride an elephant - from the South Gate of Angkor Thom to the Bayon Temple. Another way to view buildings is by flying in a hot air balloon. There are also helicopter rides. The flight lasts 20 minutes, and during this time tourists have time to see all the local sights from above. There are only two helicopters in Siem Reap, which are based in local airport. Everyone knows about them, and any taxi driver will take you to your destination.

Getting to know Khmer culture

It is curious that until the 20th century, Siem Reap was only a small village. When in 1908 the French masters began to restore the temples of Angkor, the first travelers came here. Since the 90s, there has been a new turn of development, when the renovated Angkor Wat invited tourists from different countries.

Museums will introduce you to the local culture – there are three of them in the city. The main one is the Angkor National Museum, which stores archaeological artifacts. Entrance ticket - $ 12, for photo and video filming they pay extra. Another one is the Military Museum, where various weapons are stored. It was used at the end of the 20th century in Cambodia, during the wars. Among the exhibits are the T-34 tank and the Kalashnikov assault rifle. The entrance fee is cheaper - $ 5.

The anti-personnel mine museum is also connected with the war. It was founded by a former soldier from the Khmer Rouge, who later became a sapper. The exhibition is unequivocally gloomy, but instructive. Visitors are shown a collection of mines and bombs, photographs of the victims. This museum is free, it exists on voluntary donations.

A visit to the Khmer circus will also be interesting. It exists without clowns and trained dogs. The work of circus performers is united around the main goal - to show guests Khmer myths and legends, scenes from the life of ordinary people. Performances are held daily at 19:30. Acrobats, jugglers and other masters of circus art perform before the audience. It is also worth taking a look at Puppet show. Every evening, the actors show their skills in the restaurants of the city - La Noria and Bayonne. After the performance, the audience is offered to purchase the dolls that were involved in the show.

colorful centerpiece

The tourist center of Siem Reap is the area of ​​the Old Market (Psa Chaa) and the night market, Pub Street. This part is small, but bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and massage parlors are concentrated here. Internet cafes, shopping centers, spas are open. There is also a corner of the oasis in the center - Royal Park. This cozy place near the river. Huge and outlandish trees are found in the green zone, flying foxes live. IN royal park operates a Buddhist temple. Flowers are sold near it, and birds are also sold, which are usually released immediately.

Walks around the area

There are also many interesting places in the vicinity of Siem Reap: a ceramics center, a silk farm, a floating village and a 30-meter waterfall. The town is located on two banks of the river of the same name, and just a few kilometers - freshwater lake Toplessap, one of the largest in the world. Here is the floating village of Kampong Pluuk. All objects are located on the water - and markets, and cafes, and shops. The only stone building is a Buddhist temple. Another attraction nearby is the 30-meter Phnom Kulen waterfall.

There is also a silk farm near Siem Reap (15 km from the city). Factory tours are free. Guests are shown the whole process of making the most delicate fabric - from growing silkworms to the work of craftswomen. There is a ceramics center in the village, where they will reveal the secrets of creating masterpieces from clay. Master classes are held for visitors, but for a fee - for $ 15.

Shopping: from grasshoppers to hand-made

The night market of the town is an attraction in itself. It is centrally located, close to Pub Street. Until six in the evening, the bazaar “sleeps”, and by 7-8 pm there is already a lively trade going on here. Colored lights are lit throughout the market. Tourists are offered clothes, food, souvenirs, paintings, jewelry and trinkets. There are massage parlors and live music on site.

The markets also offer local delicacies. Fried and boiled snails, beetles, cockroaches and even grasshoppers - only a gourmet dares to try this! This product is sold in cups, like our seeds. Also in the assortment - exotic fruits or handicrafts.

The Tasty Side of Siem Reap

Do you want to eat after your walk? Not a problem, because in Siem Reap there are restaurants, pizzerias, street cafes. The dishes are not very spicy, but sweet due to the use of various sauces. Many institutions provide a cultural program, usually these are national dances. You can try yourself as a chef - almost every reputable cafe offers master classes in creating Khmer cuisine. The signs on the doors say so.

To try exotic fruits, you do not even need to look into restaurants. Along the roads, tourists are beckoned by merchants with carts. They offer different fruits - from the usual bananas to strange durians. The latter have a specific smell, they are forbidden to bring to hotels.

Information for tourists

Siem Reap is good to visit at any time of the year. But it is most comfortable to travel during the dry season - from the beginning of winter to March. There are no direct flights from Moscow, so you first need to get to Thailand, Singapore or Seoul, and then fly to Siem Reap by plane. The city is also easily accessible by bus - from Vietnam or Thailand. A speed boat runs from the capital of Cambodia to the village.

The streets of Siem Reap travel by taxi, tuk-tuk or rented bike. Renting motorcycles is prohibited by local law. But you can stop motorcycle taxis - they are popular in Asia. Bicycles for rent (from $ 2) are offered in hotels, and in some they are completely free.

In cafes and hotels you can take a guide to the surroundings. It is free and the information is updated twice a year. With it, you can easily create an itinerary or choose accommodation. However, there will be no difficulties with accommodation - there are budget guesthouses and first-class hotels. Most of the hotels are located in the vicinity of the city, and even from the most remote it is easy to get to the center in 20 minutes. When booking in advance, find out if the settlement provides an airport transfer. Most hotels offer this service free of charge.

The local currency is the riel, but almost all payments here are made in dollars. In riels, they give mostly change from small purchases. Visitors note that the town resembles a large village. Siem Reap is quiet, without tourist frills. But most residents are fluent in French, which is especially striking for tourists.

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For travelers to Cambodia, the previous article about ancient Angkor and useful tips. But Angkor without Siem Reap is impossible like Kiev without Podil, so I’ll tell you about what accommodation to choose, where to dine, shopping and other entertainment in Siem Reap, how to get to this city from Phnom Penh or Bangkok and what to do in the pauses between inspection temples of Angkor.

All you need to know a tourist or traveler about Siem Reap is that this city is a kind of portal to the past due to its proximity to ancient Angkor. In short, this is an airport city, a transit city, a hotel city and a beer city, it sounds a little primitive, but it's true.

Why go to Siem Reap

See angkor wat and other temples ancient angkor, there is no other reason to go to Siem Reap. If not for the worldwide fame and popularity of Angkor, the city would have remained what it was before - a little-known settlement Kingdom of Cambodia. Now Siem Reap- the first in tourist flow after the capital Phnom Penh.

How to get to Siem Reap

Method 1. Buy airfare. This is the easiest, most comfortable and most reliable way. For residents of post-Soviet countries, you need to fly to Bangkok, from there by plane to Siem Reap. Now the Asian low-cost Air Asia flies (from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur), before you had to either use expensive BangkokAir or get buses or rent a car with a driver.

IN Siem Reap you can also fly from Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Hanoi. Several large international airlines– Korean Airlines, Delta.

Taxi from Siem Reap airport to the city costs 5 - 7 US dollars, you can pay in Cambodia everywhere in dollars, I recommend having banknotes with a face value of no more than 10 dollars and more small dollars.

Method 2. Bus. IN Siem Reap, Cambodia can be reached by bus from the capital Phnom Penh, from Bangkok With Mo Chit bus station, the ticket is bought there at the bus station. You can also buy a bus ticket in Cambodia (Siem Reap) at a street agency. From Koh Chang you can buy an excursion with a visit angkor, it includes an organized transfer. Excursions are sold in street agencies or directly at the hotel. IN Siem Reap you can get off anywhere, you don’t need to wait for the bus station, it may not be there. Just go out, catch a taxi or tuk-tuk and name your hotel.

Method 3. From the capital Phnom Penh to Siem Reap can be reached by boat on the river and Lake Tonle Sap. At first we wanted to get this way. But in the dry season (winter) there is no navigation, so we chose a car.

Method 4. Automobile . Simply rent a car with a driver and drive straight from your hotel. If you take a car in Thailand (Bangkok, Pattaya or Koh Chang, for example), then you will be taken to the border, then transferred to another driver in another car, who will take you through Cambodia. border Thailand-Cambodia in the area of ​​​​the city of Poipet, cross on foot. This is what we did when we returned from Cambodia and moved to Koh Chang in Thailand. The journey from Phnom Penh will take approximately 6 hours, depending on the number of stops. Road Phnom Penh – Siem Reap excellent. Road problems in Cambodia remained if you turn off the main highway. There are not many roads themselves, but they are being built.

Method 5. From Phnom Penh (capital of Cambodia) to Siem Reap you can fly by helicopter and see ancient angkor, Tonle Sap Lake And floating villages , national park - Mount Phnom Kulen bird's-eye. The price of such pleasure is 4500 US dollars per person. Contacts of the company can be found in your hotel, in extreme cases, I can inform you additionally - write!

Public transport in Siem Reap (Cambodia)

I won't write much about urban transport because it doesn't exist as such. There are two options - tuk-tuk or taxi. It is inexpensive and for 2-3 dollars you will be taken to any place. As a rule, this is a transfer from a hotel on pub street or along the route hotel - Old Market, hotel - riverside (embankment). There is nothing else to do in this city. About transfer to Angokor and back I wrote in the article Angkor Wat. Useful information, photos, tips on the route and hotels

In hotels it is possible to take a bicycle, but to be honest, in conditions Cambodia mode of transportation is more than doubtful. Although I had the experience of studying one of the islands of thailand on a bike, but this is rather an exception to the rule.

How and where to choose accommodation in Siem Reap

Most popular place to choose accommodation V Siem Reap (Cambodia) among tourists - Old Market area, Here huge selection affordable housing, price range from 10 to 50 US dollars. Decent hotels with a swimming pool start from about $25 per day, for 40-50 you get European 3-star apartments with a good breakfast, a room with a terrace, a bar and a pool. There are also five-star hotels and bunkhouses for a couple of dollars, but for obvious reasons they do not fall into the zone of our interests.

IN Siem Reap (Cambodia) it is worth choosing a hotel according to the level of comfort-price, location is not important. To take a walk on pub street you can take a taxi or tuk-tuk, it costs 1-2 dollars. No need to look - they are on every corner.

We stayed at the Central Boutique Angkor Hotel

I also recommend looking on the site. Room Guru: Siem Reap - comfortable budget hotels Details about hotels and guesthouses Siem Reap (Cambodia) you can read on my new site dedicated to the choice of accommodation when traveling - Siem Reap, Cambodia - Hotel recommendation

Things to do in Siem Reap, pubs, prices for food and alcohol in Cambodia

In addition to visiting angkor wat, if there is a desire and strength left, the main evening entertainment is a walk and hanging out on a fun Pub Street. Nearby is also very touristy Passage street. There are restaurants with national dances, we are not fond of - I can not comment. Lunch price tourist restaurant- 5-10 dollars for two. In local eateries - 4 dollars including beer. Khmer cuisine slightly different from Thai - it is not so spicy, less fried, and here other spices and meat, fish and vegetables are cooked differently. Worth a try - amok (amok), this is fish or seafood in coconut milk with spices, I recommend from meat - lak lok - beef in local sauce, very tasty. Traditionally a lot of chicken and fish dishes.

From the exotic, almost everywhere in Cambodia You can also try insects and frog legs. Insects are sold on the streets on carts with large trays - grasshoppers, ground beetles, swimming beetles. I ventured to try only small ones - grasshoppers, cockroaches and ground beetles. Well fried, they resemble potato chips. Frog legs very tender and similar to stewed homemade chicken.

From pubs and bars I can recommend X-Bar on pub street, from it beautiful view to the general party and the street of bars.

Wide range of services massage– from a foot massage with fish to a full body massage. After several visits to Asia, I have not become a fan of massages, but most tourists like it. Price - from 5 to 15 dollars, there are options and more expensive.

More shopping like entertainment. I especially enjoy walking not in shops, but in local markets, although I buy something very rarely. There are many products in the shops crocodile skin, the quality looks very good. main market Siem Reap – Old Market, located close to Pub Street, near Siem Reap river.

IN Cambodia lowest liquor prices anywhere in the world Asia, and all over the world (from those countries in which I was). It is also called "onedollarcountry" for low prices on almost everything. In hot countries, we prefer beer and here it is not bad, at the level of Thai, Filipino or Indonesian. Travelers praise the local rum and whiskey, but rather not for the taste, but for the cheapness. I didn't like it very much. Almost all fruits also cost around $1, mangoes - $2 apiece.

In addition to standard entertainment, angkor wat you can fly in a hot air balloon, make a "flight of the gibbon" directly on the territory angkor park and take a helicopter flight Siem Reap above Lake Tonle Sap and Angkor. The cost of flying a gibbon is $59, the cost of a helicopter flight is from $90 per person for 8 minutes, the flight can last 14 minutes ($150), 20 minutes ($200), 30 minutes ($300) and 48 minutes ($430). dollars). Organizer company contacts are easily searched on the Internet, I can also provide additional information on request - write!

Local currency- riel, exchange rate - 1 dollar - 4000 riels. Eat exchange offices, but you don’t need to change anything - they accept US dollars everywhere, in markets, in shops, in taxis. Do not bother with a bunch of dirty crumpled bills and calculate these pennies. ATMs in tourist places there is, but it is better to have cash dollars in small denominations!

World-class attractions in Siem Reap no, there is a royal park, a small embankment, a museum, a couple of temples that you will not be interested in after angkor. All tourist traffic is concentrated around Pub Street, Old Market, embankment. The rest of the streets are darkish and completely uninteresting, two-story houses of a semi-barrack type, hotels behind high fences.

Is it dirty in Siem Reap? Everything is relative. There is no critical dirt in the city, although Cambodians throw garbage and banana skins right on the sidewalk, they are periodically removed. I caught myself thinking that Amsterdam gets dirtier. In general, tolerable and without blatant unsanitary conditions.

Big stores like Tesco or Big C, how in Thailand, there is no. There are small private shops where you can buy bottled water or alcohol. I saw a couple of average supermarkets in which there is nothing interesting.

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