What do you think of when Cambodia is mentioned? If your answer is the Angkor Wat and more temples in the picture, you are not entirely wrong. Let’s just say, there’s so much more to Cambodia than meets the eye. Siem Reap is Cambodia’s burgeoning capital, destined for great establishments and things.

With its own unique traditions, modern establishments, bar-filled streets, workshops and tours sprouting from every corner of the city, Siem Reap is one fine Southeast Asian gem to visit if you haven’t already.

Here are 23 Reasons Why Siem Reap should be the top of your bucket list.

#1 ANGKOR NATIONAL MUSEUM

Located a stone’s throw away from Angkor Wat is Angkor National Museum. For those who are keen on learning about the Khmer empire, the museum has a collection of images, relics and artifacts from the Khmer Kings, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.

#2 ANGKOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK

Behold, one of the most important archaeological sites in Asia. Possessing the most riveting remains of the Khmer empire, this UNESCO-declared site holds the most symbolic structures and religious stories of Cambodia.

Photo Credit: tripadvisor

#3 ANGKOR NIGHT MARKET

Situated near Sivatha Street, Angkor Night Market offers a wonderful assortment of handicrafts, souvenirs, apparels and accessories.

#4 ANGKOR WAT

A colossal Cambodian beauty and identified as one of the wonders of the world, Angkor Wat is a sight to behold. This attraction may be packed with tourists during the day, but that does not mean it wouldn’t be an enjoyable experience. The beguiling sight itself will be sure to leave you weak in the knees.

Photo Credit: hakstours

#5 BANTEAY SREI

Made almost entirely out of red sandstone, the details on the walls of Banteay Srei are intricately and meticulously carved. One of Angkor’s outstanding constructions and masterpieces, it is also a well-preserved Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.

#6 BAYON

This mesmerising 12th-century temple is dedicated to Cambodia’s most renowned king, Jayavarman VII. Find out more about Cambodia’s rich history in the 12th century with carvings of everyday life all the way from the Khmer Empire on Bayon’s walls.

#7 COOKING CLASS

There is a plenty of countryside cooking classes at Siem Reap. Bring yourself to a Cambodian market for some local picks and learn how to prepare local Cambodian dishes and treats!

Photo Credit: hakstours

#8 FLOATING VILLAGES

The Tonle Lake floating village is definitely on every tourists’ itinerary. Expect gaudy sarongs, silk scarves, bamboo cutlery, wood carvings and souvenirs. Similar authentic floating villages are Kompong Khleang and Kompong Phluk, and they are located farther down Tonle’s shores.

#9 FOODIE TOUR ON A VESPA

Grab your helmets and zoom around on a Vespa. Join Cambodia Vespa at night to discover authentic Cambodian food at hidden locations. Sit back, relax and let your driver lead the way!

Photo Credit: flickr

#10 HAVE A DRINK AT ‘ANGKOR WHAT’

Angkor What is one of the best bars in Cambodia for a refreshing experience of Cambodian nightlife. If you are seeking a good night to party and find new friends, this bar at Pub Street should be where you should head to.

#11 HONEYBEES

A unique and fun experience, watch how rafter beekeeping has been practised since many hundreds of years ago. Take a once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch a Cambodian honey-hunter at work. A rare sight nowadays, tourists are flocking over to watch this diminishing practice.

Photo Credit: tripadvisor

#12 HORSE-RIDING

Horse farms in Siem Reap are normally located in rural areas of the city. Relax and unwind with trail rides around bucolic villages of Siem Reap on a horse and explore the countryside the traditional way!

Photo Credit: madmonkeyhostels

#13 HOT AIR BALLOON

Explore Siem Reap with style! Angkor Hot Air Balloon is the first and only hot air balloon flight company to offer trips around Siem Reap. You will get to marvel at picturesque cityscapes of Siem Reap and attain an unforgettable experience around the city.

#14 LANDMINE MUSEUM

How much do you know about landmines? Do you know there are approximately 5 million of them still in Cambodian grounds? Clearing landmines are vital to Cambodians, hence it is imperative that education on landmines are covered.

The landmine museum touches on the dangers of landmines and their origins. There are various types of landmines and it becomes pretty interesting once you’ve learned how to identify them!

#15 LES ARTISANS D’ ANGKOR

Are you fascinated by the Khmer Arts? 2 minutes away from Old Market and Pub Street is a charming site filled with meticulously designed Khmer handicraft. A guide will be of service to share stories of Khmer handicraft and bring you around if you require assistance.

Photo Credit: backstreetacademy

#16 ZIPLINE

Get on the extreme side and strap yourself on a zipline. Angkorzipline offers a brilliant way to traverse across the Cambodian rainforests. The journey along famous zipline courses is sure to be thrilling.

#17 PHARE, THE CAMBODIAN CIRCUS SHOW

If you are a fan of Cirque du Soleil, you won’t want to give Phare a miss! Animal lovers will also be relieved to note that no animals are used for the performance.

#18 PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

For aspiring photographers who want to add on to their photo collections with photos of Siem Reap’s landscapes, opt for a photography tour! Professional photographers are also there to give you tips.

Photo Credit: indochinatravelpackages

#19 PSAH CHAS OLD MARKET

Psah Chas Old Market might have everything on your shopping list—paintings, notes, silverware, carvings and apparels. Bargaining is allowed.

#20 SENTEURS D’ANGKOR

With a wide collection of silk and carvings, the Senteurs d’Angkor carries a vast range of beauty products and spices made by Cambodians themselves.

Photo Credit: tripadvisor

#21 SRAH SRANG

Dubbed the ‘Royal Bathing Pool’, Srah Srang is surrounded by lush greenery and a serene and aesthetic spot for meditation and relaxation. Srah Srang is situated across the road from the east entrance of Banteay Kdei.

Photo Credit: latitudes

#22 STREET FOOD

Emerge from the bar-filled streets of Pub Street and locate the street food vendors for authentic Cambodian delicacies. The popular street food you will find at Siem Reap are pancakes, bananas, and noodles.

Photo Credit: angkortuktuk

#23 TUK-TUK RIDE

A Tuk-Tuk ride in Cambodia sure feels the same as taking a Tuk-Tuk ride down Bangkok’s bustling streets. It is a local transportation mode to experience while commuting from one place to another!

Read: 48 Hours in Phnom Penh, Cambodia – 12 Tips on What To See & Do.

Located in the Southern side of Phnom Penh city, Russian Market aka Psah Toul Tom Poung is a bustling bazaar that offers travellers spectacular glimpses of local Cambodians’ livelihoods, comprehensive variety of value-for-money souvenirs and endless photographic opportunities.

The Russian Market was extremely popular amongst the Russian expatriates in the 1980s, hence gaining its apt name. From processed fishes, motorcycle spare parts, knock-off merchandise to even nail parlours, you can find virtually every item and service available here.

When in Cambodia, Psah Toul Tom Poung is a must to visit.

Getting lost whilst navigating through the haphazard Russian Market is part of the package for first-timers, so put your guidebook down and simply let your senses lead you around!

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The interesting thing about the Russian Market is that it is simultaneously local and touristy. Every section of the market is inherently different, and after a thorough exploration, the vastness will impress you.

Every item thinkable can be found at Russian Market (well, almost) and all you have to do is to look around and put your bargaining skills to test.

Fashion-centric shopaholics can congregate themselves in the narrow retail segment, where endless garment stalls lined up at both ends await.

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While authenticity is evidently questionable, you will be surprised that originals from Calvin Klein and Gap etc are up for grabs too. They have been stitched in local Cambodian factories and somehow ended up in these messy piles.

If retail therapy is not your cup of tea, wander away from the commercial areas and venture into the gloomy mechanic shops. We were blown away by the sheer amount of motorcycle spare parts that were for sale and how these stores were actually thriving. We soon learned that the Khmer natives would actually purchase various individual parts to assemble a motorcycle.

Sure, you are unlikely to be purchasing any spare parts, but it is still worth a shot to explore.

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Feeling peckish? Street food vendors are situated in the middle and outside of the market, where you can get your hands on delicious meals at unbelievably low prices.

Beyond clothing, food and spare parts, there are still heaps of stuff to browse through at the Russian Market. Visitors can allocate approximately 1-2 hours of their time to check out this vibrant attraction.

It is recommended that visitors visit in the early morning or late afternoon to escape from the unbearable heat.

Russian Market (Psah Toul Tom Poung)
Corner Street 163 and Street 444, Phnom Penh
Daily: 7am – 5pm

From visiting the Tuol Genocide Museum to sampling crickets, here are 12 Tips on What To See and Do with 48 Hours in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

No trip to Cambodia is complete until you try their national dish – Fish Amok. The exact presentation and texture of the complex delicacy vary across Cambodian regions, but key ingredients such as marinated fish, curry paste and aromatic spices remain present in all Fish Amok recipes.

Coming across the classic Fish Amok outside of Cambodia is extremely rare. The underrated exotic Cambodian cuisine was nearly exterminated altogether with countless of innocent victims under the Khmer Rouge era, but has since then made a comeback in its place of origin in the recent decades.

There are virtually no Cambodian restaurants in Singapore and eating the classic Fish Amok was only made possible on a recent trip to Cambodia; this delightful local Khmer dish has completed our experience to Cambodia.

Traditionally, a plethora of herbs are painstakingly pounded by hand to form a smooth herbal curry paste. Fortunately, the advancement and availability of technology has eased this tedious job for most Cambodian chefs. Today, the kroeung paste can be made easily by grinding chilli paste, chopped galangal, garlic cloves, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass stalks, shallot bulbs and tumeric powder altogether with the aid of a food processor.

However, there are many street vendors and rural families that still stick to the conventional method of pounding herbs due to their financial inability to afford electrical equipments.

Anyway, the resulting curry paste is then used to cook bite-size portion of catfishes (or other types of firm white fishes) alongside coconut milk and shrimp paste. The end result is a flavourful thickened curry fish mixture.

Portions of the final paste is then placed into bamboo leaf squares and topped with thick coconut cream, julienne red peppers and slices of thin kaffir lime leaves. Bowls of plain white rice are usually served on the side with the Fish Amok.

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.