Siem Reap in Cambodia

Siem Reap is located north of the western arm of the Tonle Sap. Siem Reap is considered the cultural capital of Cambodia, which is only one temple complex of Angkor. The climate in Cambodia, humid and hot, tropical. Pronounced boundary between wet summers and dry winters. Summer temperature of 26-32 degrees Celsius, in winter it varies from +22 ° C to +26 ° C. Nearly year-round humidity of 93%. The best time for a guided tour – December-January. During this period the humidity low and not too hot.

If the purpose of your trip is to visit Angkor Wat, it is very beautiful in the rainy season. From and to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Hanoi to Siem Reap you have several flights a day from Singapore – three times a week.

Without a doubt, the main attraction of Angkor in Siem Reap. Every year the temple complex attend several thousands of tourists from around the world. Before visiting Angkor is better to gather information about him. If this is not possible, get a guide for Angkor or hire a good guide. Excursions can be booked at a hotel in Siem Reap.

If you are traveling on your own, then you need to buy a ticket to enter the temples. Tickets are sold in special vaults on the road to Angkor Wat. Start viewing Angkor best with mountain Phnom Bakheng. It is the most ancient temple. It is in honor of him at the mountain of Phnom Bakheng, a second name – Golupura.
Golupury is located north of Grand Angkor (Angkor Thom), and to the southeast is the most famous temple complex – the Angkor Wat, the silhouette of which is depicted on the national flag of Cambodia. A little further on is the temple of Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei. Angkor Wat was built by King Suryavarmanom II in order to place his ashes there after death. Therefore, the name of Angkor Wat like the name of Egyptian pyramids. The temple covers a huge area – 200 hectares, surrounded by a moat. To the temple you can go through stone-paved road.

The shape of the temple – three pyramids. Carvings decorate the stone walls. Thousands of statues of goddesses, celestial Apsara dancers are everywhere in the church. At first glance, they are all the same, but if you look closely, you will discover differences: different expressions, different belts, bracelets. Each statue is unique. As we approach the temple becomes noticeable increase in its size. This effect is achieved by the fact that the terraces have a different height. To get to the highest terrace, to climb up the narrow steep staircase with many steps.

Angkor Wat is crowned by five towers, the height of the central tower is 65 meters. These towers resemble their appearance pineapple. There is a legend of the divine origin of the temple. According to this legend, the son of the god Indra, the king of the Khmer Preh Katomialia once went on a visit to his father. And since he liked the heavenly barn, that he decided to build on the ground exactly palace. It turns out that Angkor Wat – a copy of the heavenly barn god Indra.

Angkor Thom is a fortress surrounded by a moat hundred meters wide and 8 meters high wall area of a huge – 900 hectares. Inside the fortress is a picturesque bridge over the moat. Railings are made in the form of the sacred serpent Naga. This serpent on one side of the bridge hold the gods, on the other – the demons. In all there are 108 figures of demons and gods. Inside the castle are five gates in the wall. Among the preserved ancient buildings – church tower Phmeneakas, Elephant terrace.

There is a hypothesis that the Elephant terrace – is the foundation of the royal palaces, which, unfortunately, have not survived to our time. Bayon Temple – the main attraction of Angkor Thom. From afar, the temple seems a pile of stones, but as you get closer to it, become visible 54 slender towers, each of which is decorated with the image of Avalokitesvara Bathisatvy. 200 faces of god create a sense of continuous monitoring you.

Another attraction of Siem Reap – the East and West reservoirs. Huge artificial ponds were dug to supply the city with water in a drought. In the center of each water body artificial island with a small temple. These reservoirs fed by the river Siem Reap. Now East pond dried up, and the West still holds some water. Kulen Mountain is located 50 kilometers from Siem Reap, but because of unimportant road conditions to get to have her for about 2 hours. But the trip is worth it, because on the mountain can enjoy the beautiful waterfall. Next to it is a small temple built IX century, and a large statue of a sleeping Buddha.

You can also take a walk to the bed of the river in the scenic forest. Another attraction of Siem Reap – a butterfly garden. Fifty species of butterflies, and all them in Cambodia about a thousand, are found in this garden. If you are tired of the trips to the temples, where you can eat well and relax. Temple complex can be seen from the height of 200 meters, rising above it in a hot air balloon, and admire the distant temples, during a tour by helicopter. Take a walk on the elephants, you can enjoy the local beauty, climb the mountain and see the sunset.

Also here you can walk around in a boat on Lake Tonle Sap that of Siem Reap is a 30-minute drive away. This lake is one of the largest in the world, it is inhabited by a beautiful bird. Here at the lake, the region Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is located. All there are about 120 species of birds, including rare species of pelicans and cranes. It is convenient to travel on the lake all day, hire a boat and paying the entrance to the preserve nominal fee. There is a museum in Siem Reap min. The owner of the museum Aki Ra – a former combat engineer. The museum is open for free admission, but the owner will be happy to donate. The museum tells the minutes of the many challenges with minefields left behind by the war in Cambodia. To get to the museum, it is necessary, turning off the road from Angkor Wat Thmey Krusar sign, proceed 750 meters, turn left and walk another 750 meters.

The city is working pagodas (VAT) and shrines that attend local Buddhists. Among them, the shrine of Wat Po, which was built in the XVIII century. Its walls are decorated with scenes from the life of Buddha. Also here you can see the various statues of Buddha. Siem Reap is called a center of cultural revival of Cambodia. Already mentioned bas-relief images on the walls of Angkor come to life in dance. In many restaurants the city offers to admire this beautiful traditional slow dance.

You can also take a tour on which you will see in the process of teaching carving in stone and wood. In your eyes the master teaching, and the store sold finished products. Cambodian Cultural Village – a huge complex, which is visiting, you can learn about the history, architecture and culture of Cambodia. Here is an opportunity to look at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Phsar Thmey and temples Udong in miniatures. Historical scenes represented in the museum of wax figures.

At Angkor silk farm you will see growing silkworms, silk painting process. Guided tours of the factory are free. The factory is located 15 km from Siem Reap. Here are sold ready-made handicrafts. In Siem Reap has its shadow theater presentation held in restaurants La Noria and Bayon. The workshops for the production of leather puppets are sold as souvenirs.

The central part of the city is concentrated in the area of the old market and the streets Sivutha Street. Street Pub Street is one of the most colorful in the city, there are many shops and restaurants. The stores are “happy hours” for shopping and restaurants offer excellent international cuisine. In the area of Psar Leu can buy at good prices handicrafts, jewelry, stones, wood carvings. In stores it’s easy to find a wide range of silk products, and in the galleries you can also browse through fantastic contemporary and traditional work.