Siem Reap Travel Tips - Siem Reap Cambodia

Siem Reap is a very popular tourist destination in Cambodia. As the gateway to the famous Ankgor temples in the region the city is the best place to stop for supplies and to soak up a bit in local culture before heading off into the lush countryside of Cambodia.

Siem Reap is a province of Cambodia and it is located in the North Western side of the country. Siem refers to Siam, and Reap means ‘defeat’, thus Siem Reap means ‘Siam Defeat’. The name is called after the Siam was defeated by Khmer army during the war in 16^th century. Long time after the event the name Siam became Siem, so that today they call this province ‘Siem Reap’.

Siem Reap Cambodia was a hot place of war between Khmer Rouge and government during the war time 1980 – 1993. The population is small when compared to others provinces of Cambodia. People lived in fear and poverty. Since 1993, the first election that was governed by UNTAC (United Nation Transitional Authority of Cambodia), Siem Reap was opened to the world; many soldiers of UN came to Siem Reap to help in rebuilding this province.

Since 2000, the Prime minister of Cambodia had opened this province to the world by using his effective policy is called ‘Open Air Policy’. Many countries like to have direct flights from their city to Siem Reap. This is a good policy for Siem Reap province. Many tourism companies have come for their business and built their resorts for welcoming the visitors from all over the world.

Now Siem Reap is known as a high class province with many foreigners visiting the province for their business. Old colonial buildings too attract the visitors; visitors can enjoy their evenings shopping, eating exotic food, in massage parlors, drinking, and many other activities in this small vibrant town which has the old market and bar street.

Siem Reap Attractions

Angkor Temples: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of elephant and the leper king, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Eastern Mebon, Pre Rup, Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean, Phnom Kulen, Beng Mealea…

Other Places:

Tonle Sap, Art School “Artisant d’Angkor” and Silk Farm at Pourk District, Cambodian Cultural Village, Angkor National Museum (National & Landmine), Zoo, Pagodas (Wat Bo & Wat Thmei pagoda & Museum), Kulen Mountain with it Grand Buddha and Water Fall, Bird Reserve at Preak Toal, Handicraft activities in Khmer villages (one village one product).

Siem Reap Travel Tips

Visa

Visitors can obtain their visa on arrival at the Siem Reap airport. Cambodia Visa costs US $20 per head. At least 5 ID size photos are required. If you don’t have photos you will be charged an additional US $5.

Now visitors can obtain visa online: www.mfaic.gov.kh

Passes per person:

Angkor archeological site:

1 Day: US $20

2-3 Days: US $40

4-7 Days: US $60

Phnom Kulen: US $20

Beng Mealea: US $5

Koh Ker: US $15 (include Beng Mealea)

Angkor National Museum: US $12

Cambodian Cultural Villages: US $11

Balloon: US $15 (10Minutes)

Elephant:

Phnom Bakheng: US $20

From South Gate of Angkor Thom to Bayon: US $15

Land Area: Land covers an area of 10,544 square km. Siem Reap is known as a high potential province for tourism, forestry, fishery and agricultural products; it had 2 million foreign visitors in 2007. The area covers 12 districts, 100 communes, 875 villages.

Population: 788, 568 (2005).