"The city behind Angkor" Top 5 Page for this destination Phumi Siem Reab by SirRichard

Phumi Siem Reab Travel Guide: 497 reviews and 1,126 photos

A local butchery at the market - Phumi Siem Reab

Siem what?

99% of the tourists coming to Siem Reap arrive here looking for the Angkor Wat temples. I learnt about Siem Reap after reading a guide on Angkor. So this little cambodian town is growing under the long shade of Angkor.
Yet, the town itself is a nice place to spend the few days you will occupy visiting temples. It's got a pleasant riverside, some nice terraces and restaurants, all kind of accomodations (and more under construction) and a fantastic central market with interesting shops.

Angor complex

The Bayon

But nevertheless ANGKOR temples is still the main attraction here... and in the whole country, in fact!!
There is so much to see here, so many temples and archeological sites that you won't get bored in at least 3 days.
The problem I had is that after visiting 8-9 temples all the rest seemed so similar that I started confusing them... so my advice is to concentrate in the main 5-6 and visit them several times: they change depending of what light they get (morning, sunset...) and you will discover new details...

A calm life

2 monks by the riverside

The town's atmosphere is really relaxed and laid down, despite the many tourists around. It gets a little more alive in the evenings, when all the tourists return from the temples and get ready for dinner and drinks.
But during the day is soooo peaceful!!

Last visit to Phumi Siem Reab: Aug 2003
Intro Written Sep 18, 2003
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Reviews (26)

Buses to Phnom Penh Transportation (6)

There are no public buses to PP, but some guesthouses operate their own buses, for about 9USD. The bus of the photo... more travel advice

Cows in the highways! Warnings and Dangers (2)

If you can call those roads highways, in Highway 6 you can find here and there cows and other animals crossing the road,... more travel advice

In those little boats... - Phumi Siem Reab

Daytrips to Tonle Sap lake Off The Beaten Path (1)

If you have a few days left here after visiting temples, you can take a day off to the Lake (one of the biggest in Asia)... more travel advice

Boat to Phnom Penh Transportation (6)

You can go from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by boat through the Tonle Sap lake and river. There is a speed boat that takes... more travel advice

Favorites (3)
See All The Bayon scenes
Shopping (1)
Carvings souvenirs
Hotels (4)
See All Grand Hotel d'Angkor
Things to Do (3)
See All Psar Chas (Covered central market)

Restaurants (3)
See All Papaya shake at "Quick7" bar
Nightlife (2)
See All Angkor sunrises
Sports & Outdoors (1)
Blind massages
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Comments (16)

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BorneoGrrl Aug 20, 2009 at 11:21 PM

Wonderful tips. I'm going there next week and you've been helpful :)
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jenniferchin Dec 14, 2007 at 8:48 AM

!!!! I got the nearly same pic of the butchery shop ! :D
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4y03 Jan 15, 2007 at 9:16 PM

Dear Joaquin.... thank you so much for sharing with me! \^O^/ so glad that i decided to email you
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cheekin22 Dec 12, 2005 at 4:02 AM

Thanks Joaquin, you are really helpful & friendly. Your page on Siem Reap is really nice.......
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CyrilHH Feb 5, 2004 at 4:03 AM

Great page on SR. You may want to check out my new page full with market pix. Cheers, Till
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Pakistaniguy Jan 12, 2004 at 7:47 AM

i still wonder who took your pics ? were u with a friend or u use to ask locals to take ur pics ;-) Nice page !
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jessica-tob Dec 3, 2003 at 1:37 PM

Beautiful, Joaquin :-)
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vivimero Oct 21, 2003 at 4:32 AM

I liked a lot the market photo.
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keeweechic Oct 12, 2003 at 12:46 PM

An amazing area, the feeling when you visit is hard to describe but you do it very well. I wish I could have taken the boat to PP.. Excellent tips and always a good feel for the place you're visiting.
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acemj Oct 8, 2003 at 6:39 PM

I love the way you travel, Joaquin. Respectful, adventurous and always very thoughtful. Well done!