Places To Visit In Siem Reap

Here are the different places to visit in Siem Reap. Though Angkor Wat still tops the list, there are other, lesser known places as well.

1. Angkor Wat Temple

Angkor Wat Temple stands as the main structure within the largest religious complex in the world. Built in dedication to Lord Vishnu initially by Khmer King Suryavarman, the temple was later transformed into a Buddhist shrine by the end of 12th century.  The French explorer who first discovered the site for the knowledge of the modern world describes it as something grander than the Greek or Roman architectures, which already explains the magnificence of Angkor Wat fortified with thick walls, protected by a moat and shrouded with a wild mystery. This temple is the topmost attraction in the Angkor Archaeological Park and also the emblem of the country. Angkor Wat has its place right in the middle of the Cambodian flag.

2. Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple

Angkor Thom was the flourishing capital city of the Khmer ruler Jayavarman VII. It lies to the north of Angkor Wat and has several temples and monuments that bear marks of his Mahayana Buddhism faith. The Bayon temple is the most famous one of the lot, with 216 gargantuan faces of the Avalokiteshwara manifestation of Buddha. The extraordinary bas-reliefs attract tourists from far and near to witness the grandeur of Angkor Thom and Bayon temple with their own eyes.

3. Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm looks exactly like an ancient site out of an Indiana Jones movie – with ages-old secrets hidden within its crumbling walls, somehow held together by the entwining, muscular tree-roots. In fact, it was used as a location for the movie Tomb Raider. Because of its one-of-a-kind visual appeal as well for the spine-chilling atmosphere, Ta Prohm is a must-see on every Siem Reap traveler’s checklist.  

4. Angkor National Museum

While a visit to the temples will give a perfect visual image of some of the greatest and grandest temples of the world, the museum will help understand their history and architecture better. Angkor National Museum will help one wrap their head around the Angkorian past, Khmer and the other different empires, their affiliations to Hinduism and Buddhism and their culture surrounding the temples they built. There are informative board, artifacts on display and audio-visual presentations for better understanding.

5. Landmine Museum and School

A little bit away from the heart of the town, the Landmine Museum and School is a completely different type of site than the temples and old cities – but certainly worth it. It tells the stories of Cambodia that none wants to tell, nor does anyone want to hear – the tales of war and bloodshed left behind by the Khmer Rouge forces and Vietnamese forces. It highlights the efforts going on at the borders where there are still landmines under the ground causing mishaps every other day. Founded by a former soldier Aki Ra, it is a place of reflection and contemplation about the place one has come to travel. There is also a Child Relief Centre for the locals where one can contribute.

These were some of the top tourist attractions in Siem Reap, Cambodia.