Siem Reap Sight Seeing

SHOPPING

Local Markets

What to buy

Helps young people to develop traditional craft skills. Location in Siem Reap is called the Angkor Crafts Center. Free guided tours. Shops in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh airports. Angkor café opens daily from 8:00am to 5:30pm
Located off of Sivatha St. in Siem Reap.www.siemreaptuktuk.com

Angkor Silk Farm [Artisans d'Angkor]

The Angkor Silk Farm is located at the National Silk Center in Puok District. Entrance and guided tours are free of charge. Open daily from 7:30am to 5:30pm

MUSEUMS

Angkor National Museum
The new National Museum in Siem Reap has recently opened and features the Angkor National Museum itself plus a Cultural Mall and shops. The museum’s 8 main galleries contain original artifacts restored by Angkor Conservation and a collection of 1000 Buddha statues. Other galleries focus on ancient clothing styles; the four principal kings of Angkor; the extant written material from the Angkor temples and the history and religion of pre-Angkor period. Innovative mixed-media displays tell the story of the Angkor civilization and multi-lingual tour guides and audio units are also available.
The Angkor National Museum is located on Charles de Gaul Boulevard heading north towards the Main Entrance to Angkor Wat. Entry costs $12 for foreigners Open 9.00am - 8.00pm

Mine Museum
Founded by Mr. Akira, a former soldier and de-miner, this museum is a fascinating testament to Cambodia’s violent past, and to Aki Ra’s personal survival. It documents the story of Aki Ra’s life and experiences through a quarter of a century of war, and houses one of the world’s largest collections of decommissioned mines and other ordnance. Aki Ra is constantly seeking donations, and has recently founded an NGO, in cooperation with CLMMRF, to maximize his vision of “making my country safe for my people”. The museum is home to several young landmine victims taken in by Akira and his wife. This is a unique museum and a thoroughly worthwhile project that deserves your support. The museum is open from 7am to 6pm. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted and much appreciated.

NOTE: The Mine Museum is now on the right hand side of the road leading from Siem Reap to Banteay Srei Temple.

Cambodian Cultural Village
Owned by the Canadia Bank, the museum displays Cambodian history and culture in a kind of over-priced theme park [entry for foreigners is 6 times the local price]. Good displays of traditional dance performed with vigor and enthusiasm by the exponents. There is also a wax museum. Avoid the crass and distasteful Judgment Tunnel, especially if you have small children.

War Museum
A limited display of guns, mines, tanks and other military hardware. Open from 8am to 5:30pm. Entry costs $3. Do not confuse this museum with the Mine Museum.
Location: Kasekam Village off of National Rd. #6 on way to airport.

Balloon Rides
The balloon station is 1km to the west of Angkor Wat. The balloon rises 200 meters in the air on a fixed wire and provides amazing views of the temples and landscape. Sunrise and sunset are the most popular times for a ride.

Elephant Rides
During the day, elephants await customers near Bayon temple and at the South Gate of Angkor Thom and they offer rides between those two points. $15 for a 20-30 minute ride. In the evenings the elephants move from Bayon temple and are stationed at the base of Phnom Bakheng, ready to transport passengers up the hill for sunset ($20 for the ride up and, if you chose to ride down instead of walk, $15 for the ride down.)

Countryside Tours
If you are enchanted by rice paddies and water buffalo, houses on stilts and little villages; you will find a tour through the Cambodian countryside truly worthwhile. Many drivers are happy to do this and genuinely delighted that visitors are interested to see more of their country. The brash new hotels and restaurants in Siem Reap can give visitors a false impression of Cambodia. Poverty and poor living conditions affect most of the population and Siem Reap Province remains the second poorest Province in Cambodia, according to aid organizations. A journey in the Cambodian countryside can help to redress the balance.

Massage and Spa
There are numerous establishments around town that offer just about every variety of massage. Massages are also available at some hotels, nightclubs and hairdressers.

Helicopters
Flight packages available from $50 Per Person.

Cambodia has some of the most amazing sites in the world like Angkor Wat. To fully appreciate the wonder and scale of this unique temple region, you need to see it from the air. Helicopters lets you do this in comfort and style in one our luxurious, air-conditioned helicopters. More comprehensive scenic flights to remote temples are also available. Helicopters are available for private and commercial charters.

Night Club

Given the current size of Siem Reap it is surprising that there isn’t a wider choice of nightclubs.