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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
3373 reviews
9.0
From £25.59
Based on 49,331 reviews
6.5 km from downtown
Phone +85563965414
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–3 days
Achieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Admire the magnificent Buddhist complex of Angkor Wat
Explore ancient Khmer legends' mysteries
Saved by 1022 users1047 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Absolutely amazing. Need at least 2 or 3 days to truly explore all the ruins. Will go back for sure
Before my trip to Angkor Wat, I had never seen the movies "In the Mood for Love" or "Tomb Raider," nor was I aware of the book "The Beauty of Angkor." In my mind, Cambodia was insignificant, and Angkor Wat was its only presence. I simply wanted to see this mysterious ancient monument, just as I'd visited Borobudur.
However, that was not the case. During my half-day trip to Angkor, I was captivated. Braving the scorching heat and thirst, I journeyed through the jungle ruins and temple corridors until nightfall.
In fact, from the moment I entered our first stop, Banteay Kheti Temple, I was struck by the tranquil beauty of this vast expanse of ruins. Beneath towering trees, amidst verdant vegetation, crumbling walls and entwined roots and rocks, time and space shifted. For a moment, I felt as if I had traveled through centuries. For a brief moment, I was so overwhelmed that I was speechless, and all I could do was mutter: "Wo C, Wo—C..."
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Angkor National Museum
4.7
/5
1096 reviews
5.7
From £8.64
Based on 3,431 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 250 users608 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Good to visit the museum for a quick understanding of the history before the actual tour of Angkor wat and surrounding temples. Get the audio guide.
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.
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Angkor Thom
4.8
/5
696 reviews
5.0
Based on 8,671 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 206 users185 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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Phare, The Cambodian Circus
4.8
/5
66 reviews
4.8
Based on 13,283 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
Highlights:
High-level acrobatics & dance
Circus show by Angkor Wat
Saved by 124 users81% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Must see, so much fun to watch. Really cool experience. Highly recommended. Not been to anything like this for many years. Great for all ages. At the end you get the opportunity to meet and chat with the performers, great experience.
a stunning show that you can't miss. it is not just a circus with stunning high skilled gymnastic, dance and body movements the enjoy, but also unexpectedly integrated with very touching storylines about different scenes of the daily lives in Cambodia which would make you laugh/ smile, and feel warm hearted. A mixture of circus and drama performance. The vibe is so good as well! The Cambodian performers are professional with the lovely stage energy that is so welcoming with them in unison!
No.
5
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Ta Prohm Temple
4.7
/5
858 reviews
4.7
Based on 19,477 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 187 users161 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.
6
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Bayon Temple
4.8
/5
1485 reviews
4.3
Based on 20,878 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 181 users256 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.
7
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Street 08
4.7
/5
271 reviews
4.1
Based on 10,207 reviews
Siem Reap Downtown | 52m from downtown
Phone +85563964242
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Angkor Night Market's local charm
Siem Reap's iconic bar hub
Saved by 201 users104 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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Apsara Theatre
4.5
/5
41 reviews
4.1
Siem Reap Wat Bo Area | 474m from downtown
Phone +85599577077
Address: Street 26, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
32% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The show was amazing. I thought the food not much but it was alot that I couldn’t finish it.
💗Recommendation reason:
Cambodia travel photography, there are many places in Siem Reap that have this kind of traditional folk dance show, but as far as I know, Apsara Theatre is relatively the most worth appreciating. When I went there, I was the only Chinese and the others were foreigners. It should be not well-known in China.
🎢Entertainment experience:
This Tiannv Theatre is more like a resort, with a typical Cambodian architectural decoration style. The area is not large and can accommodate 30 to 50 people as shown in the photos I took.
The Khmer-style dinner sitting on the ground is quite complete and exquisite, but Cambodia's catering is just so-so. Those who are picky about food may have to make do with it. Drinks must be paid separately. Please note that
🌟Highlights:
I remember that the one-hour dance was divided into four or five scenes. It was performed by dancers in a traditional way, combining traditional Khmer instruments, without the help of special effects such as sound and light. They were Apsara traditional dance, folk life (coconut shell dance, fisherman's dance), Ramayana legend, etc., which were very local.
📌Tips:
Tickets cost more than $20. It is best to book in advance. Pay attention to mosquito prevention. Be quiet when dining and watching performances, and communicate in a whisper.
Back to the Ideal Home Inn, I miss the days of traveling and shooting before the epidemic. I think I will set off again as soon as the epidemic is over. Please contact me at any time for travel and shooting. Let's make an escape plan!
No.
9
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Preah Khan Temple
4.7
/5
696 reviews
4.1
Based on 2,146 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
122 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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