https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/siem-reap-province/best-things-to-do/10071524545090
Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Siem Reap Province [2025]
Show All Photos
Angkor Wat
4.8
/5
3283 reviews
9.2
From AU$ 52.34
40 km from downtown
Phone +855 63965414
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 days
Featured in 2024 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Admire the magnificent Buddhist complex of Angkor Wat
Explore ancient Khmer legends' mysteries
Saved by 800 users1012 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Angkor Wat and Mogao Caves are world cultural heritage sites in Cambodia and China respectively. They differ in the following aspects:
Geographic location and construction background
● Angkor Wat: Located in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, it is the royal temple of the ancient Khmer Dynasty of Cambodia. It was built by Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century to worship Vishnu and demonstrate his ruling status. The Khmer Dynasty was powerful at that time, and the construction of Angkor Wat reflects the dynasty's influence in religion, politics and culture.
● Mogao Caves: Located in Dunhuang City, Gansu Province, China, it was built in the second year of Jianyuan of the Former Qin Dynasty during the Sixteen Kingdoms period (366 AD). At that time, Buddhism was prevalent. In order to practice and worship Buddha, many monks and believers dug caves on the cliffs on the eastern foot of Mingsha Mountain. After that, it was built and expanded by many dynasties, and gradually formed a huge group of caves.
Architectural style
● Angkor Wat: The overall layout is regular, presenting a symmetrical structure centered on the main tower. The main building is made of sandstone, with layers of platforms, corridors and spires as its main features. There are many exquisite carvings on the exterior of the temple, and the spire is soaring into the clouds. From a distance, it looks like a huge stone mountain, giving people a solemn, mysterious and profound feeling.
● Mogao Grottoes: It is a comprehensive art hall integrating architecture, colored sculptures and murals. The caves are of various shapes, including Zen caves, central tower column caves, hall caves, etc. The architectural style combines traditional Chinese architecture with Western Buddhist architectural elements. The appearance is simple and unpretentious, but the interior is a different world.
Artistic Features
● Angkor Wat: It is famous for its stone carving art. Its relief themes are rich, including Indian mythology, historical war scenes, and daily life scenes. The carving skills are exquisite, the lines are smooth, the characters are lifelike, and the expressions, movements and clothing details of the characters can be clearly shown, which has extremely high artistic value and historical research value.
● Mogao Grottoes: The most outstanding artistic achievements are murals and colored sculptures. The contents of the murals cover Buddhist doctrines, sutra stories, myths and legends, and the life of the society at that time, etc., with bright colors and exquisite composition. The colored sculptures are mainly Buddha statues, with beautiful shapes and different expressions, from the thin and elegant in the Northern Wei Dynasty to the plump and round in the Tang Dynasty, reflecting the aesthetic style and artistic characteristics of different eras.
Religious connotation
● Angkor Wat: It mainly worships the Hindu god Vishnu and is an important symbol of Hinduism in Cambodia. The Hindu doctrines of polytheism, reincarnation, etc. are reflected in the architecture and sculptures of Angkor Wat, reflecting the religious beliefs and spiritual pursuits of the Khmer society at that time.
● Mogao Grottoes: It is a treasure house of Buddhist art, reflecting the evolution of Buddhism from its introduction to China to its localization. The murals and colored sculptures in the caves are mainly based on Buddhist stories, conveying the Buddhist doctrines of compassion, wisdom, liberation, etc., which provide important significance for the study of the spread and development of Buddhism in China.
There are many famous Buddha statues in Angkor Wat. Here are some of them for you:
● Bayon: It is one of the most representative Buddha statues in Angkor Wat. It is decorated with more than 200 solemn faces, and each face has different expressions and rich and varied expressions. The Buddha statue adopts the architectural style of the Jetavana style, and the overall majestic and mysterious feeling.
● PhimeaNak (Phimeankas): It is located by a huge pool called the Sea of Angels. This Buddha statue represents the prosperity and wealth of the Angkor period. The body is full and curved, and the expression is solemn and kind. The unique luster of its jade material makes it a very attractive attraction in Angkor Wat.
● Dancing Buddha (PreahKhan): This is a temple with jade Buddha as the main body, located in the northeast of Angkor Wat. It is famous for its elegant posture and gorgeous decoration, showing Cambodia's superb artistic skills. Its carving craftsmanship challenges carving technology and creativity, and can leave a deep impression on tourists.
● Prasat Kravan: One of the best-preserved Buddha statues in Angkor Wat. It is a small temple with five unique cylindrical towers inside, each of which is inlaid with exquisite jade Buddha statues. These Buddha statues are delicately and precisely carved and are masterpieces of Angkor culture.
In addition, Angkor Wat also has jade Buddha statues. They are usually carved Buddha statues in a sitting or semi-lotus position, with different shapes of fingers and images of Asuras with blessings and compassion, which embody the core values of Buddhist compassion, wisdom and selflessness. The craftsmanship is fine, the artistic style is unique and delicate, and it has unique Cambodian decorative styles, such as tamarind patterns and flower and bird patterns. The Buddha statues have solemn and kind expressions.
Show All Photos
Angkor National Museum
4.7
/5
1077 reviews
5.8
From AU$ 17.40
Based on 3,422 reviews
Angkor | 44.5 km from downtown
Phone +855-63-966601
Address: 968 Vithei Preah Sihanouk Ave, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Stroll through beautiful surrounding gardens
Angkor Wat & modern architecture fusion
Saved by 220 users664 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
It's good to preview the background and history of Angkor Wat before going to Angkor Wat. There are also Chinese video explanations, which are very good. The route design of the entire tour is also very good, and you will not walk the same way or walk around without direction.
It's worth a visit. You can take a quick look and listen to the guide for 2-3 hours. After all, it's too hot outdoors, so it's quite comfortable to do indoor activities. There are basically Angkor stone artifacts inside. The guide is 5USD for rent, which is paid on site.
Show All Photos
Angkor Thom
4.8
/5
696 reviews
5.1
Based on 8,668 reviews
38.3 km from downtown
Phone +855 63 965 414
Address: Angkor Archaeological Park, Krong Siem Reap 17000
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Moat surrounds & adds mystery
54 Khmer-smiling Buddha statues
Saved by 180 users195 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
【Angkor Thom】
Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom, also known as Angkor Thom, was built in the 9th century and covers an area of nearly 9 square kilometers. It was the capital built by King Jayavarman VII and the last capital before the end of the glorious era of Angkor civilization. According to the description of "Records of Cambodia" by Zhou Daguan, an envoy of the Yuan Dynasty, Angkor Thom was prosperous and bustling at the end of the 13th century, with magnificent buildings, which was no less impressive than the cities of the Yuan Dynasty in China at that time.
Angkor Thom has a total of five gates, with Buddha statues carved on all four sides of the gates. There is a long row of stone statues on both sides of the gates, which is a famous attraction in itself. There are many Angkor ruins scattered in Angkor Thom, the more famous ones are Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King.
At the south gate of Tsurugi Castle, the path leading to the gate crosses the moat. The bridge is crowded with people. From afar, you can see the iconic stone-carved human-faced tower smiling at the four directions above the gate of Tsurugi Castle. As soon as you step onto the path, you can see the head of the Naga snake god standing tall. The long rope-like body of the Naga snake god runs through the entire path. There are two rows of stone statues evenly distributed on both sides, each with 27 2.5-meter-high kneeling stone busts lined up in a row. On one side are the gods, and on the other side are the Asuras, and the two sides are wrestling fiercely. The most interesting thing is that the facial expressions of the statues on both sides of the path are completely different. The statue on the left is a good god, with kind eyes and a smile on his face; the statue on the right is an Asura, with eyes wide open and a fierce look. Because of his ferocious face, he is called the evil god.
Angkor Thom is the name of the temple complex to the north of Angkor Wat. It includes, most famously Bayon, but also other dozens of other smaller gates and temples. You could spend days exploring around in here.
No.
4
Show All Photos
Bayon Temple
4.8
/5
1481 reviews
4.9
Based on 20,873 reviews
38.1 km from downtown
Phone +855 63 765 577
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
Bayon Temple sunset view
54 Buddha towers & Khmer smiles
Saved by 169 users282 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Bayon is located in the center of Angkor, Cambodia. It is the national temple built by King Jayavarman VII of the Khmer Empire for himself. It has many important historical significances:
Religious and cultural level
● Symbol of religious integration: Bayon is a typical representative of the integration of Hinduism and Buddhism. During the Khmer Empire, religious beliefs underwent many changes. Hinduism prevailed before Jayavarman VII, and he himself strongly advocated Buddhism. In terms of architecture and sculpture art, Bayon not only retains some elements of Hinduism, but also incorporates a large number of Buddhist doctrines and symbols. For example, the temple has carvings of Hindu mythology, as well as numerous Buddha statues and Buddhist scenes. This religious integration reflects the tolerance and changes in religious beliefs in society at that time, and also reflects the mutual influence and exchange of different religious cultures in a specific historical period.
● Witness of the spread of Buddhism: As an important temple of Mahayana Buddhism, Bayon has witnessed the spread and development of Buddhism in Cambodia. The numerous Buddha statues, Bodhisattva statues, and murals and reliefs depicting Buddhist stories in the temple are not only treasures of religious art, but also provide precious physical materials for studying the path of Buddhism's spread and the evolution of its doctrines in Southeast Asia. These works of art show the world the core doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism, such as compassion and wisdom, and play an important role in the inheritance and promotion of Buddhist culture.
Political and historical level
● Symbol of royal power: Bayon Temple is a symbol of the ruling power of King Jayavarman VII. The construction of the temple is large-scale and exquisitely designed, consuming a lot of manpower, material resources and financial resources. The huge four-faced Buddha statues are carved on the pagoda in the center of the temple. It is generally believed that these Buddha statues are the incarnation of the king's face, symbolizing the king's ability to see through the four directions and rule everything. The construction of Bayon Temple showed the powerful national strength of the Khmer Empire and the supreme authority of the king to the subjects and neighboring countries, which helped to consolidate the king's ruling position and enhance the cohesion of the country.
● Record of historical changes: Bayon Temple witnessed the rise and fall of the Khmer Empire. It was built during the heyday of the empire, reflecting the political, economic and cultural prosperity of the Khmer Empire at that time. As time went by, the Khmer Empire gradually declined, and Bayon Temple also experienced erosion and man-made destruction. Through the study of Bayon Temple, historians can understand the political situation, social structure and economic development of the Khmer Empire in different historical periods, providing important clues for studying the historical changes in Southeast Asia.
Artistic Aesthetic Level
● The pinnacle of Khmer art: Bayon Temple is known as the pinnacle of Khmer art for its unique architectural style and exquisite carving art. The architectural layout of the temple is complex and orderly, with pagodas standing in rows and corridors surrounding it. The most distinctive feature is the huge four-faced Buddha statues, which have a kind and dignified face and a slightly raised mouth corner, giving people a mysterious and peaceful feeling, known as the "Khmer smile". These Buddha statues are not only masterpieces of art, but also one of the important symbols of Cambodian culture.
The Buddha statues at Bayon Temple in Cambodia are the most iconic and artistically valuable features of the temple. They carry profound religious, historical and cultural connotations. The following is a detailed introduction for you:
Appearance of Buddha Statue
● Four-Faced Buddha Shape: The most eye-catching thing about Bayon Temple is the huge four-faced Buddha statues on its 49 pagodas. Each pagoda has a Buddha face carved on its four sides, gazing at different directions from the four directions of the pagoda. The facial proportions of these Buddha statues are precise and the lines are smooth, showing a very high level of carving skills.
● Facial features: The Buddha statues show typical Khmer faces, with wide foreheads, thick lips, big eyes, straight noses, and dignified and compassionate expressions. These faces are believed to be carved based on the faces of King Jayavarman VII of the Angkor Dynasty, reflecting the king's intention to deify himself and rule the country with a religious image at that time.
● Smiling Expression: The mysterious and peaceful smile of the Buddha statues is praised by people as the "Khmer Smile". This smile is gentle and quiet, as if it contains tolerance and understanding of all things in the world. No matter from which angle you look at it, you feel that the Buddha is looking at you with a smile, giving you a deep and peaceful spiritual feeling.
Religious meaning
● Mahayana Buddhism symbol: Bayon Temple is the national temple of Mahayana Buddhism, and the shape of the four-faced Buddha has a profound religious meaning. In the concept of Mahayana Buddhism, the four-faced Buddha represents the four immeasurable hearts of compassion, mercy, joy, and giving, and also symbolizes the four infinite virtues of the Buddha. They face the four directions, implying that the Dharma can benefit all living beings, benefit every corner of the world, and protect the subjects of the Angkor Dynasty.
● Combination of royal power and divine power: Carving the king's face into a Buddha statue reflects the characteristics of the close combination of Cambodian politics and religion at that time. The king has supreme power in the secular world, and at the same time, through religious deification, he shapes himself into the incarnation of Buddha and becomes the representative of God in the world. This method not only strengthened the king's ruling authority, but also made religious beliefs deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, allowing the people to obey the king's rule more devoutly.
Artistic value
● Exquisite carving craftsmanship: These Buddha statues are carved on huge stones. Craftsmen use superb carving techniques to perfectly integrate the texture of the stone with the demeanor of the Buddha statues. Whether it is the delicate facial expressions or the texture details of the clothing, they all show a very high artistic level. In the absence of modern large-scale mechanical equipment, such large-scale and delicate carvings can be completed, which can be called a miracle in the history of human art.
● Cultural heritage carrier: As an important symbol of Cambodian culture, the Buddha statues of Bayon Temple carry the historical and cultural memory of the Angkor Dynasty. They witnessed the glory and prosperity of that era. Through these Buddha statues, future generations can understand the religious beliefs, social life, aesthetic concepts and other aspects of the time. They have irreplaceable value for studying Cambodia's history and culture.
No.
5
Show All Photos
Ta Prohm Temple
4.7
/5
858 reviews
4.8
Based on 19,475 reviews
36.5 km from downtown
Phone +855 63 765 577
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1.5-2 hours
Highlights:
Temple entwined with giant roots
Tomb Raider real-life adventure
Saved by 158 users183 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
【Ta Prohm Temple】
Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm Temple was built in 1186. It is a temple dedicated by the ancient Angkor king to his mother. Its architectural style is the same as Bayon Temple. "In the Mood for Love" and "Tomb Raider" both chose this place as a filming location. The main feature is the tree-wrapped tower. The whole temple is surrounded by dense trees, entangled for thousands of years. The roots of the ancient trees penetrate into the stone texture of the temple and merge with the temple.
Ta Prohm is a mausoleum built by Jayavarman VII in memory of his mother. It faces east and west, is large in scale, has a moat, and has many pagodas and corridors. Ta Prohm is located in the core area of Angkor Thom, not far from Angkor Wat and Greater Angkor Thom. It is characterized by years of disrepair and is not as well preserved as Angkor Wat and Bayon Temple, providing a foundation for the growth of large trees. Entering from the west gate, you can see from afar the dilapidated ancient temple covered with shade and birds singing. Many corridors and pagodas have collapsed into piles of rocks, and some are tilted and crumbling. Moss appears everywhere, giving it a sense of vicissitudes. From east to west, the first large tree grows on the vault of the tower and the cross corridor. The roots fork and then fall straight down along the wall, leaving two door frames. Going further inward, you can pass through the Sutra Library, through a corridor, and climb the wooden plank road on the stone pile between the corridor and the pagoda. You can see the roots of the second big tree split into two forks, sliding down the corridor wall like a snake; then go around to the other side of the corridor, and the big tree falls neatly like a waterfall on this side. This place is already under the shade of the big tree. The forked branches converge into a trunk behind the pagodas and fall down. It is not visible until you pass through a corridor and reach an open space between the pagoda and the corridor. You can see the roots of the big tree falling like a scattered waterfall, leaving a door frame in the middle. In "Tomb Raider", Laura fell into the hall here. Enter the pagoda on the right to visit the urn. Go around the pagoda through the vertical and horizontal corridors to see another big tree, the shape of which is free to imagine. There is an open space on the other side, and then you can walk out of the temple.
No.
6
Show All Photos
Phare, The Cambodian Circus
4.6
/5
49 reviews
4.8
From AU$ 27.68
Based on 13,222 reviews
47 km from downtown
Phone +855 92 225 320
Address: Intersection, Ring Road, south of the, Sok San Rd, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Siem Reap Province
Highlights:
High-level acrobatics & dance
Circus show by Angkor Wat
78% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Worth to visit. The shows starts is very good. Although the shows starts at 8pm, the food stores are opened from 5.30pm onwards. There are also some performances at 7pm by the local kids performing the traditional dances.
It was amazing and i enjoyed it ao much! I really recommend to experience it
No.
7
Show All Photos
Street 08
4.7
/5
271 reviews
4.7
Based on 10,199 reviews
Siem Reap Downtown | 45.9 km from downtown
Phone +855-63-964242
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.3 of Night Attractions in Siem Reap Province
Highlights:
Angkor Night Market's local charm
Siem Reap's iconic bar hub
Saved by 182 users113 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Cambodia🇰🇭Siem Reap [Pub Street]
Pub Street
PubStreet is near the old market in Siem Reap. There are many snacks along the way. They are good value for money. There are some travel agencies near PubStreet, where you can buy bus tickets to Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Thailand, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. There are many bars, restaurants, massage shops and some small commodity markets on both sides of PubStreet. You can buy some souvenirs here.
The night is beautiful, the weather is great, and the mood is super positive. I met up with three or five friends and had a drink with my girlfriends. It is also a good way to relieve stress and relax. There are many bars in a row, and there are many choices. I am a face party, so the drinks must be beautiful and photogenic. Whether they taste good or not is second to others.
No.
8
Show All Photos
Tonle Sap Lake
4.4
/5
902 reviews
4.7
Based on 2,335 reviews
85.1 km from downtown
Phone +855-12-832812
Address: Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.1 of r fun & cool retreats in Siem Reap Province
Highlights:
Experience local fishermen's life
Unique lake culture & charm
185 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
I went to the floating village and felt that the people here really had a hard life. There were many children running around naked on the street. In an open and dilapidated classroom, the children were very enthusiastic when they saw tourists. They would ask you what your name is and where you are from. They might only know a few words in English but would keep talking to you. The sunset at Tonle Sap Lake is so beautiful. Because the lake is so big, it looks like a sunset on the sea. It was the first time I saw the sun set so clearly.
Tonle Sap Lake, also known as Phnom Penh Lake, is located in the western part of Cambodia. It is long and located in the heart of Cambodia. It is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. The lakeside plain is flat and vast, 500 kilometers long and more than 110 kilometers wide. It runs from northwest to southeast, across Cambodia, and meets the Mekong River that runs through Cambodia in Phnom Penh.
No.
9
Show All Photos
Banteay Srei Temple
4.6
/5
1685 reviews
4.6
Based on 7,313 reviews
18 km from downtown
Phone +855-93-633030
Address: Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17000, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
One of Cambodia's top temples
Ancient reliefs & red architecture
213 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Cambodia🇰🇭Siem Reap [Banteay Srei]
Banteay Srei means "Woman's Castle", also translated as Banteay Srei, Queen's Palace, Banteay Srei, is a Hindu temple located about 21 kilometers northeast of Angkor, Cambodia, next to Phnom Dei. It is dedicated to Shiva, one of the three major gods of Brahmanism. It was built in 967 and completed in 1002.
Address: Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17000 Cambodia
Transportation: Take a taxi or rent a motorcycle
Time: 7:30-17:30
Tickets: Same as Angkor tickets
Banteay Srei Temple is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction.These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a"precious gem", or the "jewel of Khmer art".
No.
10
Show All Photos
Preah Khan Temple
4.7
/5
696 reviews
4.2
Based on 2,145 reviews
35.5 km from downtown
Phone +855-87-878744
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Moat cools & refreshes temple
Exquisite tower design worth seeing
133 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
【Preah Khan Temple】
Preah Khan Temple is a major temple in Angkor, Cambodia, built in the 12th century during the reign of Jayavarman VII. It is located in the northeast of Angkor Thom. According to legend, the temple was built by Jayavarman VII in memory of his father.
Preah Khan Temple was renovated from 1927 to 1932. It was built by Jayavarman VII in the 12th century to worship his father. It is said that when the great city of Angkor Thom was being built, this place became the king's temporary residence, where he held pilgrimages and read books. There is an inscription in the temple, written by Jayavarman VII's son.
Preah Khan Temple is large in scale, with a rectangular wall 800 meters long and 700 meters wide. There are four ways leading to the temple. At the entrance of the temple stand several Shuras and Asuras holding long snakes to churn the ocean of milk. On the east and west sides, there is a long sandstone lotus wall. There used to be Buddha statues on the lotus, but they were destroyed when the Shiva faction presided over it.
Preah Khan Temple is the mausoleum of Jayavarman VII's father. Jayavarman VII would come here to pay tribute to his father and take out the sword before going to war. Preah Khan Temple is located north of Angkor Thom, facing east and west. It is large in scale, has a moat, and has many corridors, pagodas, doors and windows, and is exquisitely carved. From the entrance, the door frame of the main corridor leading to the central tower gradually shrinks, with a strong sense of layering, the purpose is to show respect for the late father. The central tower stores the pagoda, and there are regular holes on the surrounding buildings. These holes are left by later generations digging gems buried in the walls and columns. There is an altar dedicated to the three main gods of Hinduism in the west main corridor. There are two buildings outside the main building on the northeast side. On the west side is a high platform with a hole where the sword was originally inserted. There is a brick and stone with a dancer carved above a door frame in the east main corridor. There is a large tree trunk growing on the wall at the east gate, which is not inferior to Ta Prohm Temple. Most of the Buddha statues in the temple were destroyed due to the conflict between Hinduism and Buddhism.
1
