"Keeweechic's Siem Reap" Top 5 Page for this destination Khett Siem Reab by keeweechic

Khett Siem Reab Travel Guide: 4,321 reviews and 12,574 photos

Keeweechic's Siem Reap - Khett Siem Reab

Siem Reap means the ‘Defeat of Siam (Thailand)”. This name came from a bloodbath which happened centuries ago. Siem Reap is both a province in Cambodia as well as the name of the provincial capital and best known as the Gateway to Angkor. The temples are the main reason that anyone visits Siem Reap and usually base themselves from the town.

Tonle Sap in Siem Reap is the largest body of freshwater in mainland Southeast Asia. The lake has a large carp-breeding and carp-harvesting industry there. The Tonle Sap river flows about 65 miles south from the lake to meet the Mekong River at Phnom Penh. Primary survival is fishing and there are many stilt homes around the shoreline.

Angkor is certainly the great attraction. For hundreds of years this ancient city was lost to thick jungle which engulfed and strangle the most amazing examples of Khmer architecture. The temples of Angkor were constructed from 879 - 1191AD when the kings of the Khmer empire reigned of a vast area which reached from southern Vietnam (as it is now) to Yunan in China and from Vietnam to the Bay of Bengal. The 100 or so temples are spread out over some 40 miles. They were built of stone and bricks with a lot of the public buildings and houses being built of wood.

In the 1431 when the Thais captured Angkor, the Khmer abandoned the city and the capital was moved to the present capital Phnom Penh. For many years, the old capital declined and while not forgotten by the people of Khmer, jungle started to overtake the monuments and the city became isolated from the western world. While there was an account of a Portugese Trader writing something on the area back in 1550, it was not until 1860 when a French botanist, Henri Mahout, stumbled on the lost empire and published his finding as year later did the western world become interested and attract many explorers, archaeologist and historians to the area. In 1863 Cambodia became a French Colony. In 1907 they created the Angkor Conservation Centre and in 1908 began to conduct an archaeological study of the Angkor Civilisation and to restore the various Khmer temples.

Visiting Cambodia was one of the most memorable places I have been to. Trying to relate the experience of visiting Angkor to others does not even come close to doing justice. This is one of those places which must be visited to fully appreciate the innate magnificence. Being amongst some 300 mysterious monuments and temples that were built between the 9th and 12th centuries only to be overtaken by jungle until the end of the 1800's was just mind blowing. Not much is known about the civilisation except for some 1,200 inscriptions found throughout the country which gives an indication of the size and complexity of the civilization. Unfortunately it seems that theft and vandalism are the most serious physical threat to the monuments

Photos which are taken by myself and all headings are copyright and digitally marked. Please do not use them without permission. Thanks. © keeweechic 2001-2008 (copyright)

Intro Updated Feb 18, 2008
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Reviews (48)

Old Market Area Shopping (1)

Very much a traditional Asian market which sells books, curios and souvenirs. There are some great buys to be had with... more travel advice

Customs and Airport Formalities - Khett Siem Reab

Customs and Airport Formalities Local Customs (5)

If you are flying from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, your bag will be x-rayed in PP and then inspected once you reach Siem... more travel advice

Antiquities Warnings and Dangers (1)

The authorities are very serious on stopping the purchasing of antiquities. Even replicas of authentic artefacts must be... more travel advice

Fit for Kings and Priests - Khett Siem Reab

Fit for Kings and Priests Things to Do (38)

Apparently only the king and the high priest were allowed on the third level of Angkor Wat. The base of the upper level... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Hotel Ta Promh
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Comments (15)

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y_lyn Sep 29, 2007 at 8:17 PM

Will be using your tips for my upcoming trip to Siam Reap :) Very informative
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DaDrifter Jun 3, 2005 at 5:29 AM

Fantastic pages ... lovely pictures of the Theravada Buddha, Bayon Temple and Bayon carvings. Thanks for some very informative tips ... hope to make it to this mythical universe some day.
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namiewa May 25, 2005 at 3:31 AM

Wow thats really a nice sunset, i love watching sunset though its really amazing yeah? nice place to go..
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bpacker Apr 6, 2005 at 5:13 AM

KeeWee, this is my next destination and I'm so glad that there's such an informative page like yours. Thanks for sharing.
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Toyin Mar 7, 2005 at 6:19 AM

Excellent page, great tips. Thanks for sharing.
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matcrazy1 Mar 6, 2005 at 4:39 AM

Fantastic pictures, great information and very interesting suggestions. very exotic destination for me - temples and local markets look great!
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Wild_Orchid Dec 18, 2004 at 5:38 AM

the photos and tips you have here are wonderful. thanks for sharing!
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AlbuqRay Aug 29, 2004 at 6:55 PM

Keewee, very informative tips and associated pictures. I cannot get over how much bigger Angkor Wat is than even Preah Vihear.
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tpangelinan Jul 9, 2004 at 8:11 PM

Wonderful page, very interesting read and fantastic photos! Very helpful knowledge you share here, this sounds like such a great place to visit. Thank you for sharing. :o)
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pepples46 Jul 2, 2004 at 10:08 PM

excellent page KW, I love these Markets, just a great way to get to know the Locals.