Siem Reap is one of those places in the world that everyone
should see, not only because of the incredible Angkor temples that reside there,
but also because of the history and culture that has survived there for
thousands of years through war and conflict and finally now, peace. While Siem Reap itself is fairly small, it’s
a bustling town and comes alive particularly at night when the temperatures
drop. The are of Siem Reap is also a broad term to cover the landscape around the town that houses the
massive and ancient ruins of the Angkor temples and their subsequent
complexes. So when you head to SE Asia,
make sure and schedule a couple days to stop in this ancient and complex part of
the world. Here is how to make the most of your time there and how to spend 2 days in Siem Reap.
Stay in Siem Reap proper.
When my husband and I visited we chose to stay outside of
town thinking it would be closer to the temples, in reality I wish we would
have stayed within the borders of town to be able to walk to resturants and
markets more easily.
I would suggest the Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa.
DAY 1
Start your first day in Siem Reap bright and early to beat
the intense heat in this part of the world and grab a tuk tuk from your
hotel. You can easily (and cheaply) hire
a tuk tuk for long periods of time which means they’ll take you wherever you
want to go, then wait for you, then take you to your next stop. It’s a convenient way to get around and don’t worry,
they’ll remember you and wave you down when trying to find them again in the seas
of tuk tuks that circle all the major tourist sites. Have them take you to buy your tickets and
then just after sunrise, head to Angkor Wat.
(Note: You can buy your tickets the previous day around 4pm if you want
to take in the sunset for free at one of the temples.)
When you arrive at Angkor Wat, the crowds that were there to
watch the sunrise will just be dispersing, so instead of following the masses
for the main gate, head around the temple and you’ll make your way through the
side entrances that will have less people.
Wander around and take it all in, there is lots to see.
When you’re feeling ready to move on, go back to the
entrance and find your driver. Have him
drive you the fifteen minutes or so down the road to Ta Prohm, the temple made
famous by the movie Tomb Raider. This
temple is much different than the rest, it’s intimate and small in size, except for the massive rooted trees that have built up inside the
walls of this ancient space. It’s eerie
walking around here, shadowy and feels like there is a bit of magic within
those walls.
By this point in the morning, you’ll be feeling drained from
the intense heat and humidity, so be sure to drink lots of water and stay in
the shade whenever you can. I would
suggest finishing your morning tour of the temples around 10am and returning to
your hotel. Your driver can take you
back and if you’d like to rehire him, you can arrange to have him pick you up
again later in the day. You’ll want to
spend the mid part of the day in your hotel with AC after the heat starts to
escalate.
Spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon resting,
having lunch nearby, or with a dip in the hotel pool. You’ll want to be well rested for the evening
to come.
About 4pm, pack up your gear again and head back out to meet
your ride. Have them take you to Bayon
in the Angkor Thom complex. This temple was my favorite of them all, a place
that exudes a total sense of place, a temple that you can almost feel the history
within its stones. The surreal faces in
the rocks here that stare down upon you, smiling, transport you to a different
time and place. Take in the sunset here,
as the long shadows fall throughout the complex, creating surrealistic edges in the face carved from stone.
Next, have your driver take you to the East Gate of Angkor Thom. Yet another scene location from Tomb Raider,
this long abandoned gate in the middle of the jungle about ten minutes drive
from Bayon is a quiet spot in the middle of the Cambodian jungle. This spot is not in the
guidebook but it’s beyond worth it. When you’re ready to go, head back to your hotel to grab
dinner near your hotel, perhaps street noodles from a vendor nearby, and then
rest for the night.
DAY 2
Wake up early again, but this time make sure to be awake
about two hours before sunrise and grab a tuk tuk. Have them take you back to Angkor Wat, but
this time you’re there for a different reason.
Follow the crowds to the lake in front of the complex, where the temple
towers reflect on the surface of the water.
Be prepared for the crowds, as people swell around the lake for this. Watch the sunrise over the water and take in
the perfect symmetry of the ruins.
After the sun rises and the crowds head into the temple, go back to your hotel after the morning spectacle and spend the morning relaxing
and taking a dip in the hotel pool.
After a quiet day of rest, head out around 4pm for downtown Siem
Reap. Check out the famous Night Market
just off of Pub Street, wander the stalls and pick up souvenirs from your
trip. Then wander up and down Pub Street
and the surrounding areas, grabbing street food as you go or sit down for
Cambodia BBQ, one of the best things I’ve ever eaten anywhere in the world. Enjoy it with a coconut milkshake and spring
rolls for a taste of local ingredients.
Watch the night (and the temperatures) fall as you watch
dusk turn into gleaming city lights around you.
Siem Reap will make an impression on you; it's an up and coming destination
in Asia that more and more people are realizing is out there. So get there fast before this quirky little
Cambodian town becomes a staple in every travel guidebook.
For more tips on Siem Reap check out my article here.
