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My husband and I visited Siem Reap in Cambodia as part of our trip to the Philippines and Singapore in December 2023. Since we mostly wanted to see the Angkor area (capital city of the Khmer Empire) and had limited time left on our vacation, we packed our 2 days in Siem Reap with temple tours. The days were hot and exhausting, but the temples were truly extraordinary. Here are our favorite things we did from the short trip:
1. Angkor Wat
Why Visit:
Angkor Wat is the largest religious structure in the world and Cambodia’s most famous site. Originally built as a Hindu temple by the Khmer king, it later transformed into a Buddhist temple with the rise of Buddhism in the region.
Highlights:
- Admire the iconic view of the main towers reflected in the lotus ponds.
- See Hindu carvings blend in with Buddhist statues.
How to Go:
We joined an Angkor Wat sunrise tour since watching the sun rise over the temple is a classic experience. Unfortunately it was cloudy that day, so we didn’t see the sun come up (it just gradually got lighter). Still, visiting early in the morning is a good idea to avoid the midday heat.
2. Banteay Srei
Why Visit:
Built from pink sandstone, Banteay Srei has a distinctive reddish color unlike most other Angkor temples. It’s nicknamed the “Jewel of Khmer Art” for its incredibly detailed carvings.
Highlights:
- Marvel at the fine details of the intricate carvings.
How to Go:
Banteay Srei is about 45 minutes from the main Angkor temples. We visited on a Banteay Srei & 4 Temples tour which made it easy to combine with nearby sites.
3. Ta Prohm Temple
Why Visit:
Famous as the “Tomb Raider Temple” from the Lara Croft movie, Ta Prohm feels like a real-life jungle adventure.
Highlights:
- Wander among towering trees with roots snaking dramatically through crumbling temple walls.
How to Go:
Ta Prohm is included in many Angkor tours. We visited as part of the Angkor Wat sunrise tour.
4. Bayon Temple
Why Visit:
Bayon Temple is known for its 200 giant stone faces carved into 54 towers.
Highlights:
- Take selfies with the already smiling stone faces.
- Explore maze-like corridors lined with intricate carvings depicting everyday Khmer life.
How to Go:
Bayon sits at the center of Angkor Thom, just a short drive from Angkor Wat. We saw it during our Angkor Wat sunrise tour.
5. Try Khmer Food
Why Visit:
Immerse yourself in Khmer culture by trying out Cambodian cuisine.
Highlights:
- Fish Amok → Cambodia’s signature dish.
- Num Krok → small round coconut-rice cakes, a classic Cambodian street food snack.
- Nom Ka Chai → pan-fried glutinous rice flour cakes with chives inside.
How to Go:
We booked this street food tour, which included 10 local dishes and drinks. It was a delicious way to try a variety of flavors in one evening.
Planning a trip to Siem Reap? Here are my top 5 tips for a more enjoyable trip.