Photo: Angkor Wat, the greatest of the temples in the Angkor
Complex
Siem Reap is a province located 314 kilometers northwest from Phnom Penh, capital city of Cambodia, on the shores of Tonle Sap. It is the place where over one hundred Angkor temples have been discovered within an area of approximately 600 square kilometers and these spectacular structures make up most of the famous tourist attractions in Siem Reap. Siem Reap is nestled between rice paddies and lies along the Siem Reap River.
It is here, in the north-western part of Siem Reap, that the world famous temples of Angkor are situated including the largest religious building ever constructed, the Angkor Wat. It was built on the orders of King Suryavarman II in the 12th century. Siem Reap is getting more popular and busier as the day goes by as indicated by the new guesthouses and restaurants mushrooming across the town due to tourism since most of the places of interest in Siem Reap is always filled with foreign travelers. Town centre is located at Psar Chaa along the western bank of the river.
The temples were all built before 13th century and the existing temples you see today constitute the once religious and administrative centre of the Khmer Empire. The building of pyramids by the Pharaohs in Egypt is similar to the buildings of temples undertaken by the successive Khmer kings whereby large force of slaves were used. Due to the large number of temples found, we can conclude that this place must be one of the biggest cities existed at that point of time.
Portuguese travelers are believed to have been the first Westerners to set their eyes upon the temples of Angkor during the 16th century. However credit was given to French botanist Henri Mouhot for the discovery of Angkor temples whereby his visit to Angkor in 1860 was posthumously documented in Paris in 1868. During the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century, several French expeditions visited the temples and started clearing out the jungles which has totally covered the temples.
Siem Reap has managed to retain much of its timeless charm, with leafy boulevards and a provincial pace despite having become a boom town with new hotels and bars being built continuously. The name Siem Reap means 'Siamese defeated' which just goes to show that the Khmers have never forgotten that they once had the upper hand against their neighborhood rivals although it might not be a suitable name for a town so close to Thailand and traveling in Siem Reap is easy since National Highway 6 (NH6) runs east to west right through the middle of town.
It is not just the temples that make this town popular but other famous tourist attractions here include the Tonle Sap Lake with its floating villages whereby you can explore the traditional Khmer way of life, the Preak Tuoal National Park and a one-day trip to Phnom Kulen is highly recommended in order for you to witness the hundreds of Khmers pilgrim to the temple located on the mountain top. While you are at the capital city, also known as Siem Reap, you can enjoy the Apsara dance cultural performances, visit handicraft shops or take a tour along the scenic paddy fields.
Siem Reap can be reached all year round by direct flights from many major cities in the region such as Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Guangzhou and Yangon. Siem Reap can also be reached by domestic flights from Phnom Penh, a journey lasting about 40 minutes. Siem Reap province can also be reached by boat along Tonle Sap and lake from Phnom Penh capital and Battambang province. Popular routes used by tourists to get to Siem Reap province is by the national road from Phnom Penh capital and from the Poipet Border Checkpoint.
TEMPLES IN THE ANGKOR COMPLEX
