Siem Reap

Nestled between rice paddies and stretched along the Siem Reap River, the small provincial town of Siem Reap serves as the gateway to the ancient temple ruins of the Khmer Empire.  With a distinct colonial and Chinese style of architecture this town emanated from a cluster of old villages, but today is alive with culture, restaurants and pubs.  There is a vast array of delicious cuisine on offer in the many restaurants and don't forget to enjoy a local performance of Apsara dancing! 

Excursions are available to the surrounding paddy countryside and boat trips on the great Tonle Sap Lake to fishing villages and bird sanctuaries.   Siem Reap is the hub for the Angkor Archaeological Park, Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which encompasses dozens of temple ruins including the legendary Angkor Wat whose archaeological significance  and visual impact sets it amongst other wonders of the world, such as the Pyramids, Machu Pichu and the Taj Mahal.