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Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Siem Reap [2025]
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Angkor Wat
4.8
/5
3314 reviews
9.1
From IDR 477273
Based on 49,288 reviews
6.5 km from downtown
Phone +85563965414
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 days
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Admire the magnificent Buddhist complex of Angkor Wat
Explore ancient Khmer legends' mysteries
Saved by 869 users1023 positive reviews
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Perhaps the true sense of desolation left by the fading prosperity of Angkor lies in the power of time. Beauty, in fact, is a silhouette of history captured in the fading afterglow of the setting sun; it is a truly breathtaking beauty.
The following is a three-day tour guide for Angkor Wat: Prepare for the best travel time: dry season (November - April the next year) the weather is cool and rainy, suitable for sightseeing, of which 12 - February is the peak season, and there are more tourists; During the rainy season (May-October), the vegetation is dense and there are few tourists. After the rain, the temple reflection is beautiful, but you need to prepare rain gear and try to avoid the heat of March-May. At this time, the high temperature is hot, and the body temperature can reach 40 ℃ +. ● How to arrive: You can fly directly from Guangzhou, Kunming, Shanghai and other Siem Reap, or transfer through Phnom Penh. Local transportation options: ○ Tuk-Tuk: Suitable for small circles/big circles, about $15-25/day. ○ Car charter: It is recommended to charter a car (such as the Queen's Palace, the collapse column) in the outer circle, about $60-80/day. ○ Bicycle/electric car: suitable for short trips, rent $2-5/day. ● Ticket information: $3 day ticket $62 (3 days to choose from within 10 days), you need to buy tickets and take pictures at the Angkor Ticket Center, and you can watch the sunset for free after 17:00. Itinerary ● Day1 Small circle: ○ Go to Angkor Temple in the morning to watch the sunrise. It is the world's largest religious building and its relief corridor is a must-see. ○ In the morning, visit Tongwangcheng, there are attractions such as Bayan Temple and Bafang Temple in the city. ○ In the afternoon, visit Tapuren Temple. ● Day2 Big Circle: ○ In the morning, visit Shengjian Temple. ○ In the noon or afternoon, you can go to Longyan Water Pool and Taxun Temple. ○ In the evening, go to Bili Temple to watch the sunset. ● Day3 Outer Circle: ○ Visit the Queen's Palace in the morning. ○ Go to the Bengmilie at noon or afternoon. This is a ruin secret, and an additional $5 ticket is required. ○ If time permits, you can also go to Donglisa Lake to experience the life of the floating village and Cambodian fishermen. The rainy season is more spectacular. Note ● Respect local religious and cultural customs, dress appropriately when entering the temple, and avoid exposure to wear. ● Do a good job in sun protection and mosquito prevention measures, carry enough drinking water, especially in high temperature weather. ● You can learn some historical and cultural knowledge about Angkor Wat in advance to better appreciate the attractions.
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Angkor National Museum
4.6
/5
1081 reviews
5.7
From IDR 184091
Based on 3,424 reviews
Angkor | 1.4 km from downtown
Phone +85563966601
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 228 users637 positive reviews
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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.
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Angkor Thom
4.8
/5
696 reviews
5.1
Based on 8,669 reviews
9.4 km from downtown
Phone +85563965414
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 188 users191 positive reviews
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【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
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Bayon Temple
4.8
/5
1485 reviews
4.9
Based on 20,873 reviews
9.6 km from downtown
Phone +85563765577
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
Appreciate the smiling Four-Faced Buddha
Bayon Temple evening sunset view
Saved by 173 users277 positive reviews
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The Bayon stupas are a key architectural feature of Cambodia's Bayon Temple, boasting a unique artistic style and profound religious and cultural significance. The following provides a detailed introduction:
Overall Layout and Number
Bayon is home to a vast array of 54 stupas, varying in size and height. These 54 stupas represent the 54 provinces ruled by Jayavarman VII during the heyday of the Angkor Empire, symbolizing the Buddha's light illuminating the entire empire. At its center stands a gilded, circular pagoda, built on a two-story hollow platform. Surrounding it are 48 pagodas of varying sizes, forming a pyramidal structure.
Exterior Design
● Four-Faced Buddha Carvings: Each stupa is crowned with a massive four-faced Buddha statue. These statues represent the four great virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Each of the 216 Buddha faces is unique, but all possess draped eyes, symbolizing freedom from worldly desires. Their slightly upturned lips reveal a mysterious and tranquil smile, known as the "Khmer smile." They offer a 360-degree, unobstructed gaze upon every corner of their surroundings.
● Religious Symbolism: Bayon Temple is a Buddhist temple, its overall structure modeled after Mount Sumeru, the legendary highest point in Buddhism (Hinduism also has Mount Sumeru, with details differing but largely similar). The stupa's layout and form embody the religious concept of the close connection between the Buddha in heaven and the human race on earth.
Construction Craftsmanship
The stupa is constructed of stone. Despite the age-worn remains, its intricate carvings still reveal the exquisite craftsmanship and high artistic standards of its time.
Bayan Temple is the national temple of the Angkor Dynasty in Cambodia. It is located at the center of the Angkor Tong Wangcheng. It was built by King Jehovah VII (Jayavarman VII) from the end of the 12th to early 13th centuries. It has many important historical significance: religious level ● reflects religious integration and transformation: The Bayan Temple witnessed the transformation of the Angkor dynasty's religious beliefs. Before that, the Angkor region was mainly Hindu, and the Bayan Temple was an important symbol of this religious transformation, with the strong promotion of Buddhism by Yamamoto VII. The temple has Buddhist elements, such as many Buddha statues and Buddhist story reliefs, and some Hindu traditions are integrated, which reflects the transition and tolerance of the religion of the society at that time, and also reflects the desire of the rulers to unite the people and consolidate their rule through religious integration. ● Promote Buddhist culture: Bayan Temple, as a Buddhist temple, was an important place for the spread and practice of Buddhism at that time. It promoted the development and prosperity of Buddhism in Angkor, attracting many monks and believers to practice and worship. The Buddha statue sculpture, mural and other art forms in the temple are not only the expression of religious belief, but also become the carrier of spreading Buddhist teachings and culture, which has a certain impact on the development of Buddhism in the surrounding area. Political level ● Signify the reign of king: Bayan Temple is a temple built for himself by King Jehovah VII and a symbol of his ruling power. The temple's large-scale, exquisite architecture and complex design showcase the king's wealth, power and ambition. The four-faced Buddha in the temple is considered a symbol of the king's face, a design that combines the king with the god Buddha, which aims to emphasize the divine status and legitimacy of the king's rule, and convey to the people that the king is the representative of God on earth, thereby strengthening the king's rule. ● Promoting national unity: At the height of the Angkor dynasty, Bayan Temple, as an important religious and political center of the country, played a role in rallying national strength and promoting national unity. People from different regions gathered to Bayan Temple for religious activities, strengthened exchanges and contacts between each other, helped to break the geographical gap, enhance the sense of identity and cohesion of the country, and was of great significance for maintaining the unity and stability of the country. Art level ● Show the peak of Khmer art: Bayan Temple has become an outstanding representative of Khmer art with its unique architectural style and exquisite carving skills. The relief murals in the temple are rich and varied, including war scenes, court life, folk stories, etc., vividly depicting all aspects of society at that time, providing precious visual materials for future generations to understand the history and culture of the Angkor Dynasty. Its architectural structure and decorative details reflect the outstanding wisdom and creativity of Khmer craftsmen, which has had a profound impact on the subsequent development of Cambodian architecture and art. ● Promote cultural exchange and dissemination: Bayan Temple, as an important symbol of Angkor culture, attracts artists, scholars and tourists from different regions. They appreciate and learn Khmer art here, promoting exchanges and dissemination among different cultures. The artistic style and creative techniques of Bayan Temple may also spread to the surrounding area, which has a certain promotion effect on the development of art in Southeast Asia.
No.
5
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Phare, The Cambodian Circus
4.6
/5
51 reviews
4.8
From IDR 290090
Based on 13,230 reviews
1.7 km from downtown
Phone +85592225320
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
Highlights:
High-level acrobatics & dance
Circus show by Angkor Wat
77% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It definitely was an experience! They have different stories to showcase. I was able to witness "Sokha". A mix of drama and comedy play, while showcasing their acrobatic skills. It tells a story about a young girl who experienced the dark times during the rogue and was able to heal through expressing her love for art and also encouraged other affected children to do the same. You'll definitely have a great time. Most importantly, profits will be used to fund their art school.
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.
No.
6
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Ta Prohm Temple
4.7
/5
858 reviews
4.8
Based on 19,475 reviews
9.6 km from downtown
Phone +85563765577
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 170 users179 positive reviews
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【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.
7
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Street 08
4.7
/5
271 reviews
4.6
Based on 10,201 reviews
Siem Reap Downtown | 52m from downtown
Phone +85563964242
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.3 of Night Attractions in Siem Reap
Highlights:
Angkor Night Market's local charm
Siem Reap's iconic bar hub
Saved by 190 users110 positive reviews
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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
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Preah Khan Temple
4.7
/5
696 reviews
4.2
Based on 2,145 reviews
12 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
131 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.
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