When the morning sun pours down on the overgrown temples and the ruins of Angkor Wat, the seemingly ordinary sunrise in Siem Reap becomes profound and meaningful. These ancient buildings are among the largest religious architectural complexes in the world. This complex of buildings and the imperial city of Angkor in the 12th century are the main motivations for people to visit Siem Reap. You can visit the Cambodian Folk Culture Village to learn about the ethnic history, go to the Angkor Night Market to gain some bargaining experience, and take away good luck from shopping stalls, food vendors and bars.

​​Getting to and Around Siem Reap​

​ If you’re flying, Siem Reap’s got one airport: ​​ ​​Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI)​​​​​​. Siem Reap International Airport​​ is Cambodia's busiest airport for Angkor-bound tourists and will likely be your arrival point.

• Located just 7km west of central Siem Reap, SAI is the city's original international gateway. You can reach hotels/temples easily via taxis or tuk-tuks (10-15 mins to downtown). Official airport taxis cost ~15AUD, while tuk-tuks charge​​~7.50AUD​.

Source from Wikipedia: Siem Reap International Airport

Here are some recommended hotels in siem reap, some of which offer airport transfer services to facilitate your journey from the airport to the hotel.

Best Areas to Stay in Siem Reap​

• Old Market (Pub Street Area)​:​ Best for first-time visitors, nightlife lovers & foodies. The atmosphere is lively, lantern-lit streets, and it bustles until midnight. There are just steps from Pub Street, so you can walk directly. So this place is very ideal for social travelers who want everything at their doorstep.
• Wat Bo Village​: It's best for culture seekers and balanced travelers. This place is quieter​​ than Pub Street but still walkable to nightlife (5–10 mins). There are many art galleries​​, craft shops & yoga studios, which have an autentic local vibe.
• West of Old Market: ​Best for people want Scenic stays and relaxed exploration. West of Old Market is strolling along the ​​Siem Reap River​​ with sunset views. You just need 10 mins walk to Old Market but away from noise. If you like peaceful and picturesque vibe, it's a great option.

Source from Unsplash: Robincanfield

Top Things To Do in Siem Reap​

• ​​​Wat Bo Village​​: Wat Bo, one of the oldest and most important Buddhist pagodas in Siem Reap, offers a peaceful escape from the bustling tourist area in a serene and authentic temple experience. Unlike the magnificent Angkor temples, this temple offers a glimpse into Cambodian Buddhist culture and the daily life of monasteries
• ​​Angkor Wat​​: Angkor Wat is renowned worldwide for its exquisite architectural art, intricate carvings and grand scale. The murals, carvings and reliefs inside the temple depict religious stories and historical scenes, demonstrating the highly developed cultural and artistic levels of that time. Angkor Wat was completely buried under the jungle until it was discovered by French colonists in the 19th century. It might be the most famous of all the temples in Angkor, and thousands of people come to watch the sunrise.
• ​​Bayon Temple​​: Bayon Temple was built from the late 12th century to the early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII as the state temple and is located in the very center of Angkor Thom. Bayan Monastery is mainly Buddhist, but it also incorporates features of Hinduism. Unlike traditional Khmer architectural design, Jayavarman VII thus brought Khmer art to a new realm.