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| Home » Cambodia » Travel Guide »
Siem Reap
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| DESTINATION CAMBODIA |
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SIEM REAP
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 ATRACTIONS IN
SIEM REAP |
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| HIGHLIGHTS IN
SIEM REAP |
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| QUICK GUIDANCE |
| The breathtaking landscapes, beautiful coastlines, cultural delights and historical significance, make Cambodia an enjoyable stop in Asia travel map. To help you plan a trip in Siem Reap - Cambodia, we provide the useful guide of hotel options, package tours, transport, attractions, shopping and entertainment. You just click the sections below for helpful information. |
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SIEM REAP PROVINCE OVERVIEW |
| Geography |
Demographics |
Telephone |
Capital: Siem Reap
Location: North western
Area: 10,299 km2
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Population: 696,164
Density: 68 /km2
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Calling code |
| Town and Districts |
| Angkor Chum, Angkor Thom , Banteay Srei , Chi Kraeng , Kralanh , Puok , Prasat Bakong , Siem Reap, Sout Nikom , Srei Snam , Svay Leu , Varin , |
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| General Information
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Siem Reap, is a province located in northwestern Cambodia, on the shores of the Tonle Sap lake. The provincial capital is Siem Reap. The name literally means Siamese defeated referring to the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya in the 17th Century. Today it is most widely known for being the closest city to the ruins of the temples of Angkor.
Siem Reap is now the major tourist hub in Cambodia, as it is the closest city to the temples of Angkor. The most recognizable of the temples, Angkor Wat, literally Capital Temple, built by King Suryavarman II the early 12th century provides the largest tourist draw. Recently the city has seen a great deal of expansion, hundreds of hotels, restaurants and shops, catering to both international and Cambodian tourists have opened to serve the influx of visitors. Also, King Norodom Sihamoni and the Cambodian royal family maintain a residence in the town. The Angkor temple complex is north of the city. Other sites of interest near Siem Reap include Angkor Thom built by Jayavarman VII, Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm, as well as hundreds of other temple ruins. Angkor, and the surrounding area that would later become known as Siem Reap, faced repeated invasions from the Thais, and ceased to be the capital after a seven-month siege in 1431. The capital was moved to Phnom Penh in 1432, and then to Lovek and Oudong, before moving back to Phnom Penh in 1866. The temple ruins were visited by Western explorers and missionaries before the 19th century, but Henri Mouhot is generally seen as having "discovered" Angkor Wat in 1860. While under Siamese control, the province was named Siam Nakhon (Siamese City), and was renamed to Siam Reap (meaning Siam defeated) after Siam had to cede it to French Indochina in 1906.
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SIEM REAP PROVINCE TRAVEL TIPS |
Climate
Generally Cambodia has four seasons. The cool and dry season is from November to February. The hot and dry season is from March to May. The hot and wet season is from June to August. The cool and wet season is from September to October.
The hottest days of the hot season rarely climb above 35°C though the sun can be quite intense. The cool season may push the mercury as low as 20°C. The monsoons between June and October follow a regular pattern, clear mornings with 1-3 hour rains in the afternoon. The cool dry season is more comfortable but the regularity of the wet season rains make them easy to plan around.
*Border Crossing to Siem Reap
+The gate of Aranyaprathet, Thailand - Poipet. Cambodia is the most convenient borer crossing for anyone to plan an overland trip from Thailand to Siem Reap. The border gate is open from 8h00 to 20h00. The Cambodia visas and Thai transit visas available on arrival at the border .
+The gate of Chong Jom, Thailand - O'Smach. Cambodia is a remote border crossing north of Siem Reap in Oddar Meanchey province. The Cambodian visas and Thai transit visas are available.
+The gate of Chong Sa Ngam, Thailand - Anlong Veng. Cambodia is a remote border crossing northwest of Siem Reap in Oddar Meanchey province, opposite Thailand's Si Saket province. The Cambodian visas available and Thai transit visas are available.
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GETTING IN - OUT
SIEM REAP PROVINCE |
* Plane: The town of Siem Reap is accessible by direct flight from Phnom Penh, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Vientiane, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Taipei. The airport sits 6km from town, close to the temples, occasionally affording spectacular views of Angkor Wat during landings and take offs. Outside the terminal is a ticket booth for registered taxis into town. Independent taxis and motorcycles wait just outside the airport.
* Boat: The daily ferries ply the Tonle Sap river and lake between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The end of the trip is marked by a hill, Phnom Krom, near the ferry dock at Chong Khneas 12 km south of Siem Reap. During the dry season, the ferry stops short of the dock and passengers transfer to smaller boats to traverse the final few hundred meters. The ferries usually depart at 7 A.M from the Phnom Penh Port on Sisowath Quay to Siem Reap and also at 7A.M from the dock at Chong Khneas for the journey Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. The ferry tickets can be purchased through hotels and travel agents cheaper than at the ferry offices. Though generally safe, these ferries are ‘local transport’ and have experienced breakdowns, groundings and other difficulties. Travel is best during the wet season (June-November). In dry season, low waters can mean smaller, less comfortable boats and occasional groundings.
The ferry to Siem Reap arrives at Chong Khneas near Phnom Krom, 12km south of Siem Reap. There is always transportation waiting at the dock, including motordup and taxi.
* Road: The town of Siem Reap is located 314 km northwest of Phnom Penh and can be reached by land from Phnom Penh. There are several guesthouses, travel agencies and bus companies which offer daily bus transport between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. This is a smooth 314 km, 5-7 hour trip. The bus makes at least two stops along the way (at Skun and Kampong Thom). The earliest buses depart starting at 6:30AM and that last buses between noon and 1pm.
* Thailand to Siem Reap: The Thai crossing at Poipet is the most accessible to Siem Reap. The route Bangkok to Siem Reap via the Aranyaprathet/Poipet border crossing is a 465km, 9-12 hour trip. The usual route begins with a 4-5 hour bus or a train ride from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet (‘Aran’), the town on the Thai side near the border, then a short tuk-tuk ride the last 6 km to the border crossing. Cambodian visas are available at the border. There are two options in planning this trip, 1) buy a package ticket in Bangkok or Siem Reap, or 2) put it together yourself.
* Siem Reap to Battambang: The baily ferry departs Siem Reap for Battambang at 7:00am. and take 3 - 4 hour journey across the Tonle Sap and up the Sangker River in the wet season, but can be considerably longer in the dry season due to low water. The boats in no way meet international safety standards. There is no direct boat from Phnom Penh.
The road from Siem Reap to Battambang (National Routes #6 and #5, via Sisophon). The first leg from Siem Reap to Sisophon is in poor condition. The road from Sisophon to Battambang is in good condition.
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GETTING AROUND
SIEM REAP PROVINCE |
The town of Siem Reap is almost small enough to get around on foot but the nearest temples are several kilometers from town. Motorcycle taxis and moto-romauks ('tuk-tuks') are the most common form of transport for short trips around town. Transportation to the temples is usually hired by the day.
*Motor Taxis : Two person motorcycle trailers (moto-romauks) have surpassed motorcycle taxis (motodups) as the most popular form of transport. Tuk-tuks are covered offering some protection from sun nd rain. In Siem Reap most drivers speak some English.
*Cars : They are usually hired on a daily basis. You are suggested to rent car if you want to go to Banteay Srey, Kbal Spean or other distant temples.
*Bicycle Rental : Bicycling is quickly becoming a popular way to visit the temples. The roads between the main temples are paved and the distances are about right for a bicycle touring. Bring sun screen, a good hat, water and a Cambodian scarf to keep the sun off your neck. Many of the guesthouses, hotels have bicycles for rent. The rental is depending on the type and quality of the bike.
*Transfer to Angkor Temples : The temples are too far apart to make foot travel practical (though some hearty visitors are hiking it anyway). The transfer options include: two-person motorcycle trailers average $10-$13; car taxis $20-$25/day; motorcycle taxi for $6-$9/day; bicycles for $2-$3/day. The prices go up for distant temples to Banteay Srey, Phnom Kulen, Kbal Spean, Koh Ker,…. The other way to explore the temples is by bike, which is now becoming more popular. The roads are good and the distances are about right for a bicycle. |
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SIEM REAP PROVINCE FOODS |
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ENTERTAINMENT |
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| Northern Cambodia |
| Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Oddor Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Siemreap - Angkor Temples |
| Central and Eastern Cambodia |
| Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom, Kandal, Pursat, Kampong Cham, Kratie, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Stung Treng |
| Southern Cambodia |
| Phnom Penh, Kampot, Kep, Koh Kong, Prey Veng, Kampong Speu, Sihanoukville, Svay Rieng, Takeo |
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