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OTHER THINGS TO DO IN SIEM REAP: CURLTURAL VILLAGE; MUSEUMS;POGODAS;NGOS; COOKING CLASSES.
As enthralling as the temples of Angkor may be, there are lots of other things to see and do around Siem Reap. Seeing a bit of Cambodia away from the temples can help avert ‘temple-burnout’ and round out your Cambodian experience as well as swiss replica watches help Cambodia by taking some tourist pressure off of the temples and spreading the tourism dollars a bit more widely. In addition to the following suggestions, check out the sections on visiting the Tonle Sap Lake and bird sanctuary, attending a traditional dance performance, going on a helicopter,balloon and elephant rides, traditional markets and good causes. Also seeVolunteer opportunities and Charitable Organizations: All Cambodia for more information. Fort more ideas on other things to do around Siem Reap see and visit.
Countryside Tours
If your schedule allows, set aside a day or three to get out of the Siem Reap Town/main temple area and into the countryside. The vast majority of Cambodians live and work in the rural countryside and a countryside tour or even a day trip to a remote temple ruin can provide a glimpse of ‘real Cambodia’ - picturesque, bucolic scenery, rice paddies and water buffalos, countryside pagodas and little villages filled with traditional stilted houses... And there are a number of ways to see it: by 4WD or motorbike,tuk tuk, bicycle, ox cart, visit rural villages, learn to cook Cambodia food help by householder and more. The following me i know how operate specialize in temples, countryside expeditions.
Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary
The 'bird sanctuary' at the Prek Toal core area of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve has been called "the single most important breeding ground in Southeast Asia for globally threatened large waterbirds." The Biosphere covers 31,282 hectares at the northwest tip of the Tonle Sap Lake and plays host to species including Greater and Lesser Adjuncts, Black-headed Ibis, Painted Stork, Milky Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Grey-Headed Fish Eagle and many more species. Of the three Biosphere core areas on the Tonle Sap Lake, Prek Toal is the most accessible from Siem Reap and the most popular with birdwatchers. The best time of year for viewing is the dry season when flocks of migratory birds congregate at Prek Toal. As the dry season progresses and the water recedes, the number of birds increases but the travel to some of the more important viewing areas becomes more difficult.
Most people arrange a trip to Prek Toal through their driver guesthouse or a tour operator. To do it yourself, take a moto or taxi from Siem Reap to the Phnom Krom/Chong Khneas boat dock. Arrange a boat to the Prek Toal Environmental Research Station (starting at $35-$45 return,) and then from the Research Station a $20 entrance fee and $25 for a guided boat tour of the sanctuary. The Research Station has information on the area's flora and fauna. There are also basic overnight accommodations at the Research Station if you want to stay the night to take full advantage of the sunset and early morning viewing hours.
Bird Watching and Environmental Tours
Siem Reap offers some unique bird watching opportunities. The Prek Toal bird sanctuary on the Tonle Sap Lake and the Ang Trapeng Thmor reservoir northeast of Siem Reap both are home to many rare and threatened species. For the Prek Toal bird sanctuary see on the Tonle Sap page.
Cambodian Cultural Village
A unique, sprawling cultural attraction, intended to introduce the visitor to Cambodian culture and history. Interesting wax museum features scenes and figures from history. Large park area with 1/20th scale models of important cultural sites and landmarks. Full scale models of a variety of Cambodian architectural types. Entrance: $12. 9AM - 9PM. Airport Road. Tel: 063-963836
Angkor National Museum
The newly opened Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap promises eight chronologically ordered galleries of Angkorian-era artifacts and multi-media presentations of Angkorian history and culture. The Museum had just opened its doors and was not quite completed at time of printing, but should be very soon. Admissions price: US$12 (for foreigners). $2 for a camera. Hours: 9:00AM - 8:00PM. Located in town, on the road to the Angkor Park.
Tel. 063-966601.
Silk Farm:
Angkor Silk Farm, located 16 km out of Siem Reap, is home to both the National Silk Center (Centre National de la Soie - CNS) and Artisans d'Angkor. The CNS opened in 1993 and received assistance from the French Agency for Development (AFD) from 1994 to 1996. Its aim is the revival of sericulture, of silk farming, as well as teaching the various steps involved in the production of silk goods and seeking ways of improving the techniques used.
As an extension of these activities, the arts and crafts network known as Artisans d'Angkor was established in 1998 with support from the European Union, and was also set up on the Angkor Silk Farm. Together with the CNS, Artisans d'Angkor selects apprentices, has them trained at the CNS, and settled back in their home villages at the conclusion of their training where they work in rural workshops.
Angkor Silk Farm offers guided tours of the sericulture operation, from the cultivation of the mulberry bushes to the production of silk goods. Artisans d'Angkor is also promoting Cambodian silk through its new specialty boutique featuring the Artisans d'Angkor Silk Collection, a fitting conclusion to a tour of the facilities.
Siem Reap War Museum
Displaying a wide variety of military hardware and equipment in decrepit condition, taken from the battlefield. Heavy armor including T-54 tanks, anti-aircraft guns, artillery pieces, rocket launchers, APCs, small arms and piles of disarmed mines, bombs and small arms. Most of the larger pieces are labeled. Located on Route #6 (Airport Road).
Helicopter Rides
Helistar Cambodia
Helistar Cambodia offer scenic helicopter tours of the temples beginning at $90/pax. Specialized tours, aerial photography, charter services. Multiple aircraft. Conveniently located at Siem Reap International Airport, Domestic Terminal. Office on National Road 6, Borey Angkor Arcade, diagonally opposite the Total petrol station. Walk-in customers welcome.
Balloon Rides
Unique new addition to the Angkor area. Take a tethered helium balloon ride 200 meters straight up for an amazing aerial view of Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng, West Baray and other ruins amongst the surrounding jungle and rice paddies. Bring a camera and binoculars if you have them. The big, yellow balloon is based on the road from the airport to Angkor Wat, about a kilometer from the front gates of
Elephant Rides
During the day, elephants await customers near Bayonor at the South Gate of Angkor Thom. In the evenings, elephants are stationed at the base of Phnom Bakheng, ready to transport riders up the hill for sunset. $10-$15 for a 25 minute ride.
Cambodia Land Mine Museum & Relief Facility
The Cambodia Landmine Museum has evolved from a small shack museum by former soldier and deminer Akira to a formal museum and charitable organization. The museum exhibits a variety of defused mines, bombs and other ordinance as well as information on mines, demining and Cambodia’s mine problem. Located six km south of Banteay Srey.
Website: www.cambodialandminemuseum.org
hrine to Preah Ang Chek & Preah Ang Chorm Of particular importance to the locals is the small shrine in front of the Grand Hotel D’Angkor containing two standing Buddhas of the names Preah Ang Chek (taller) and Preah Ang Chorm (shorter). They are surrounded by stories of power and indestructibility. Visitors are welcome to make offerings and take photos. The reverence of local pilgrims is palpable.
Wat Bo Founded in the 18th century. A large, highly respected pagoda. Like the Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh, the vihear of Wat Bo contains very unique wall paintings of the Reamker that are said to be late 19th century. Look for the ordinary-life market scenes such as an opium smoking Chinese merchant, the colonial era French officer at the market and the French soldiers attending a traditional dance performance. Also of interest is the large collection of Buddha statues located behind the main Buddha.
Wat Preah Prohm Rath An unspectacular but idyllically situated wat on the river in the center of town. Founded in 1915, the main vihear was constructed in 1945. Oddly enough, the wat grounds hold two large cannons said to have belonged to the larger-than-life 20th century warlord, Dap Chhoun.
Wat Thmei (New Wat) The wat contains a unique glass-walled stupa containing the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge. Some of the bones were recovered from a nearby well while others are the remains of soldiers who died on a nearby battlefield. 500m west of the road to Angkor about 1.5km north of town.
Angkor Hospital for Children
In the middle of the town, near the river. Foreign and Cambodian doctors. Pediatric hospital and clinical training site for Cambodian doctors, nurses and paramedical personnel. Provides medical consultation and emergency care for expats and tourists. Blood donors always welcome. Tel: 063-963409, Fax: 063-760452
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