Showing all posts tagged "Siem Reap"
How to Travel Around Siem Reap – Your Options for Exploring an Alluring Locality
The charming Cambodian town of Siem Reap, the gateway to the famed Angkor complex, would be an interesting locality to explore, offering many absorbing experiences for visitors. When it comes to travelling around this captivating town, there would be several good options. Described below are your primary choices for getting about Siem Reap.
Image via pxfuel
By Cambodian tuk-tuk (remork)
Taking a remork, the Cambodian version of a tuk-tuk would be an easy and popular way of travelling around Siem Reap. These vehicles would basically consist of a motorcycle with an attached trailer. Travelling by such means would be particularly suitable for groups as these vehicles would be able to accommodate as many as four persons. You would have the opportunity to hire remorks for brief trips within the city or for a whole day to explore the Angkor Archaeological Park; keep in mind that the rate for a journey would depend on the distance and duration.
By motorcycle taxi (moto)
The abundant motorcycle taxis – also referred to as motos – could be found stationed near restaurants, hotels and well-known attractions in Siem Reap. You would often find that motorcycle taxi drivers would not wear a uniform and may not speak English well; accordingly, it would be prudent to have your destination’s address written down in Cambodian to present to the driver. When travelling by motorcycle taxi, it would be advisable to negotiate and arrive at a fare before commencing your trip and ensure you wear a helmet.
By bicycle
Visitors to Siem Reap would find that getting around by bicycle would be an uncomplicated, eco-friendly, and economical way of travelling within the town. You would have the opportunity to hire a standard bicycle for a small sum, whilst a mountain bike would cost somewhat more. You would typically receive a safety lock and a helmet along with your bike. You would find several bicycle rental establishments at Wat Bo Road and the Old Market. Visitors would also have the option of hiring a bike from The White Bicycles which happens to be a non-profit charitable organization.
By hired motorbike or car
Since renting a motorcycle was formerly illegal in Siem Reap for foreign tourists, you would only find a few establishments that rent these two-wheelers. Whilst you could rent a motorcycle for a reasonable rate make sure that you obtain a helmet and possess an international license to present to the local police if needed.
However, you could also opt to rent an E-bike which would be a more environment-friendly mode of travel as these vehicles would operate on electricity rather than petrol; there would be a few charging stations within Siem Reap too. If you have a bigger budget, you may also consider renting a car for your travels around the town or further afield which is ideal for longer stays.
By taxi
You would find that Siem Reap’s taxi services would be rather informal, as there would be no formal taxi organizations and the vehicles would not be metered. Accordingly, there would be no established rate structures and you would be obliged to negotiate a price for your journey with the driver. You would also have the option of hiring a taxi for your travels around Angkor Wat as well as Tonle Sap Lake, although you should take care to arrive at a reasonable price for your journeys. One of the hotels in Siem Reap Cambodia to consider that you could easily reach by taxi from the airport would be FCC Angkor by Avani which offers the option for arranging private transfers too.
By electric car
Another interesting mode of travel in Siem Reap would be getting about on an electric car. These vehicles would be great for exploring this town and the nearby attractions in a very eco-friendly manner. Additionally, unlike tuk-tuks and conventional taxis, these buggy-like electric vehicles would have the capability to handle dirt roads. During your stay in Siem Reap, you would be able to hire an electric car along with the services of an English-speaking local driver.
Posted on June 26th, 2023
How to ethically explore the Wildlife of Cambodia
Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation with low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta, and the Gulf of Thailand coastline. Known as the Kingdom of Wonder with many natural attractions and the famed Angkor Wat temple complex Cambodia is also known for its abundant wildlife comprising elephants, deer, wild oxen, panthers, bears, tigers, cormorants, species of birds and snakes, and many more. As visitors with an interest to protect and conserve wildlife be aware of ethical practices and places to visit.
shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates, More Great Cormorants on a tree (14351367823), CC BY 2.0
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Be conscious of ethical associations with wildlife
Most visitors to Cambodia look forward to an elephant ride during their visit and consider that as one of the most exciting and adventurous Siem Reap Attractions. In fact, to most visitors, experiencing wildlife amounts to just that elephant ride. However, the downside of these is the animals are being overworked to the point of exhaustion denying these magnificent animals the freedom to be themselves. Therefore be selective in the way you enjoy viewing and experiencing wildlife.
Wildlife in Cambodia
Cambodia is home to 16 globally endangered species and 2 critically endangered species resulting in many organizations working collectively to protect and preserve the remaining wildlife diversity.
There are numerous nature reserves, animal refuges, and wildlife sanctuaries that offer freedom and space to mammals, birds, and reptiles. Working on funding from non-profit organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), they work on preserving endangered species such as the wild Asian elephant, Wild water buffalo, Eld’s deer, tiger, leopard, fishing cat etc. These are the ideal places you must visit to enjoy the behaviours and actions of wildlife which will give you insights about them and leave you with a more profound wildlife experience.
Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB)
As visitors to Cambodia who believe in experiencing wildlife without harming or endangering them, the 90-minute tours of the sanctuary handled by English-speaking guides are of enormous value. These well-informed guides elaborate on the conservation efforts and many stories about different species of animals making them interesting and enlightening tales. These tours are frequently used by visitors to FCC Angkor by Avani.
The minimum donation of 3 US Dollars collected by the centre is more than worth the information you receive. These donations go towards the centre's operations.
A few noteworthy wildlife experiences in Cambodia
Elephant Valley Project Mondulkiri – Considered to be the elephant sanctuary with the highest ethical standards in Cambodia, Elephant valley does not offer to ride, feed, wash, or bathe with elephants. In place of these usual practices, visitors on day trips to the valley have the joy of walking with the majestic giants, observing their playful antics in the jungle or at the river, and occasionally following herds of elephants stealthily guided by a mahout. These natural ways of experiencing elephants are encouraged at the valley and are enjoyed by visitors.
Prek Toal Core Bird Reserve – Located in the 31,282-hectare Tonle Sap (Great Lake) Biosphere, this is the largest waterbird colony in South East Asia and is a part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The outstanding site is mostly covered by freshwater swamps and is home to rare waterbirds, especially in the dry season. The Sam Veasna Centre, a non-profit NGO promoting eco-tourism provides tours of the reserve with assistance from local community members and is an accessible wildlife experience with ethical standards.
The Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre – An hour’s drive from Phnom Penh this wildlife sanctuary offers a day of exploration in the animal rescue and rehabilitation centre, With over 1200 animals including elephants, sun bears, moon bears, leopards, lions, tigers, and more to see in natural surroundings. However, of all the animals Chhouk the gentle giant, a rescued elephant with a prosthetic leg steals every visitor’s heart.
Posted on April 23rd, 2023
How to Explore Siem Reap, Angkor Wat and More – Stunning Attractions for the Culture Lover
The charming Cambodian city of Siem Reap would probably be best known as the entranceway to the famed Angkor ruins where you will find an array of ancient temples and other features of interest. However, you will also have the chance to visit the local night markets, savour the street foods and experience the other attractions in Siem Reap, as described below.
Visit the Old Market
On your tour of Siem Reap, look to add the interesting Old Market to your itinerary. By visiting this charming marketplace, you would have the opportunity to gain an authentic insight into the typical way of life of the locals. If you choose to visit this market during the morning, you would be able to observe the locals as they shop for their requirements for fresh produce. After strolling around this area, you may also enjoy a tasty meal at one of the restaurants located here.
Experience the Angkor National Museum
Before experiencing the Angkor Wat complex and the nearby attractions, it would be an excellent idea to gain an understanding of the culture and history of the Khmer kingdom. A great establishment at which to gain this knowledge would be Angkor National Museum where you could learn a great deal about these subjects. In fact, visiting this captivating museum would be a great way to spend an afternoon in Siem Reap.
Explore Angkor Archaeological Park
There would be no doubt that the vast Angkor Archaeological Park would be Siem Reap’s foremost attraction, including such cultural marvels as Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm. Taking pride of place at this UNESCO World Heritage Site would be Angkor Wat, considered to be the world’s biggest religious monument. One of Asia’s most significant historical sites, this complex demonstrates the engineering and artistic prowess of the Khmer people. A boutique hotel in Siem Reap to consider from which you could easily visit this complex would be Anantara Angkor Resort which offers guided VIP tours too.
You should also take the opportunity to head to Bayon which happens to be renowned for its enigmatic huge stone faces. Another engrossing religious attraction at Angkor would be Ta Prohm, a temple entwined with huge tree roots, which was prominently featured in a Tomb Raider movie as well.
Browse through the night markets
Another not-to-be-missed experience in Siem Reap would be browsing through the fascinating night markets, with several being in proximity to one another. You will find an array of attractive bargains at these night markets, in addition to interesting artworks and appealing souvenirs. If you take the opportunity to visit the Siem Reap Art Centre Night Market, you will find a selection of paintings on media such as parchment and canvas.
Enjoy Pub Street
In the night-time, the locality of choice to be in Siem Reap would undoubtedly be Pub Street, home to an array of interesting bars and restaurants. As you make your way to this street, you will encounter an array of street stalls offering tasty snacks. If you happen to be a traveller on a budget, you could select a dish of fried noodles that would be filling and cheap. Pub Street would also be a great place to enjoy rolled ice cream, with plenty of stalls offering this sweet treat to be found here. You will additionally find an abundance of more exotic food choices, such as fried scorpions, crickets and so on!
View an Apsara Dance performance
Your visit to Siem Reap wouldn’t be complete without experiencing one of the enthralling Apsara dance performances staged here. You will see that Apsara dancing is a variety of traditional Cambodian ballet that would captivate the culture lover. During the performance, you will notice that the Apsara dancer, dressed in white and representing the spirit, leads the performance with subordinates in colourful skirts supporting the lead dancer. Even if you are not a huge fan of dancing, you are likely to be enthralled by this kind of performance.
Posted on November 11th, 2022
How to Plan Your Vacation in Siem Reap – A sunny and rainy vacation
One of the most popular destinations in Cambodia, Siem Reap, is a must-visit for those who want to appreciate unperturbed Southeast Asian culture. You need at least three days to explore the historical jewels of Siem Reap. This is the gateway to exploring Angkor Ruins and a lot of other ancient sites, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here’s how you can plan your vacation in this amazing city that seems to have been stuck in the lost world.
Image via Anantara Angkor Resort
The best time to visit
The climate doesn’t really change much throughout the year; the temperatures remain on a similar level every month with an average of 28 degrees. The dry season is usually considered the best time to visit; the season spans from December to March. Rain showers remain at a minimum during this time, but the temperatures are bearable. Bear in mind that this is also the high season, which means that everything is double its low-season price, so be prepared to pay a lot for accommodation. The hot season, on the other hand, is from April to May, with an average temperature of 40 degrees. By the end of April, the city is practically empty, so this could be a great time to visit if you don’t mind the high temperatures. Accommodation will be less expensive with the additional benefit of lesser crowds. If you visit in the hot season, make sure you wear light clothing and lather your skin with sunscreen; also, keep in mind that you won’t be able to see any of the floating villages as the water levels are low. The rainy season is from June to November, characterised by southern monsoons. The temperatures are low during this time, but the rain showers are constant, and the chances of sightseeing are low.
Accommodation
You have a wide range of great accommodation options in Siem Reap, including Anantara Angkor Resort. Budget options are a favourite with backpackers; home stays are common, too. Mid-range and luxury options are ideal for those who want a comfortable stay with great guest service.
Getting here
There are three ways you can get here: bus, boat, and air. The international airport of Siem Reap, Siem Reap International Airport, is only 5 kilometres from downtown. From downtown, you can get to the Siem Reap Wharf in Tonle Sap Lake in 15 minutes. If you are interested in boat trips, make sure you visit in the rainy season, extending from June to November – the water is at an optimal level during this time. During the dry season, only small boats operate on the river, and when the water level is low, boats stop operating altogether. If you are a backpacker, look into bus travel; Capitol Tour and Mekong Express are the most popular services. As for train travel, the service is yet to be available in Cambodia. You can take a direct flight to Siem Reap from major Asian tourist destinations like Vietnam and Thailand.
Things to do
A diverse array of attractions awaits you in Siem Reap; things to do are many here. The number of temples found here can be categorised into three: outlying temples, big circuit, and small circuit. Small circuit covers the temples located at Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat. Big Circuit contains the temples in the eastern and northern parts of the city. To explore the outlying temples, you need to travel about 20 kilometres from Siem Reap; this group of temples includes sites with original features untainted by time. Adventure seekers are in luck; hiking and trekking are among the popular tourist activities. However, if you want to do something different, you should join a cooking class. Also, don’t forget to give yourself some time to relax and take in the unspoiled natural beauty of Siem Reap.
Posted on August 6th, 2022
How to Explore Angkor Wat in Cambodia – A Breathtaking Ancient Temple Compound
The intriguing Angkor temple complex in Cambodia will undoubtedly captivate the culture lover and general sightseer alike. Innumerable visitors from across the world visit this ancient complex of temples drawn by its fascinating attractions and mystical allure. At this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will encounter a mesmerizing array of architectural marvels that will amaze and delight the visitor. Provided below is some useful information about experiencing the Angkor complex.
Understand the background
At one time, Angkor happened to be the Khmer Empire’s capital city; in the Middle Ages, this empire controlled much of the region of Southeast Asia. Angkor was initially constructed by the monarch Yasovarman I many centuries ago. During the peak of the Khmer Empire, it is thought that as many as a million residents lived here. You will see that Angkor occupies an area of as much as 1,000 sq. km which makes it comparable in size to many of today’s cities. However, in approximately 431 A.D, Angkor was suddenly abandoned, and no one is quite sure why. For many years it lay hidden in the jungle until some archaeologists from Europe drew attention to the site. Today, you will see that many of the lovely temples at Angkor have been meticulously restored.
Select the time to visit
You will find that Cambodia enjoys a warm climate all through the year, but it experiences distinct dry and wet seasons. The dry season which extends from November through May would be the high season for visiting Angkor, with the city’s unpaved roads being more convenient to use at this time of the year. However, as you might expect, the temples could be crowded with more visitors during this time. On the other hand, you could also visit during the wet season, as downpours will usually occur no more than once each day; the rains will also make the jungle lush and appealing.
Visit Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom
There is no doubt that the famed Angkor Wat would be the central attraction at the Angkor complex. The entire temple itself occupies an extent of a square kilometre and features three terraces with five eye-catching towers. The arrangement of spires at Angkor Wat happens to be a traditional motif of Khmer architecture representing Mount Meru, the abode of the Hindu gods.
Also, of note in the Angkor complex would be Angkor Thom; this happens to be another stunning temple that will delight the visitor. Here, the daring will have the opportunity to scale the ladders provided to reach the striking Terrace of Elephants.
Experience Bayon and Pre Rup
Angkor Thom’s central shrine would be Bayon, which happens to be renowned for its intriguing towers that feature an array of massive stone faces, as well as its sculptured exterior and interior. Another interesting temple at Angkor would be Pre Rup which rather resembles a miniature version of the famed Angkor Wat. An accommodation choice to consider from which you could easily visit Bayon and other attractions within the complex would be Anantara Angkor Resort in the nearby town of Siem Reap. Things to do here apart from visiting Angkor Wat would include exploring the countryside and horse riding.
Enjoy the other temples
Another not-to-be-missed temple at Angkor would be the mysterious Ta Prohm, also known for having been featured in the movie ‘Tomb Raider’. You will find that Ta Prohm with its massive tree roots presents a striking sight and is best experienced in the morning. Preah Khan is an additionally noteworthy temple which presents a captivating optical illusion for the visitor. If you make your way across the bridge that you will find here, you will reach a tranquil lake too. Some distance away you will find the temple known as Banteay Srei, which is renowned for its exquisite well-preserved carvings.
Posted on June 8th, 2022