Siem Reap and The Temples of Angkor
Siem Reap is slowly regenerating is 1960’s popularity, and is increasingly becoming the epicenter of the newly reborn Cambodia.
The main excitement for travellers visiting Siem Reap is its close proximity to the temples of Angkor Wat, although it does have other key areas of interest from the rice-paddy countryside to the main small, quaint fishing villages and for ornithologists there is a bird sanctuary near the impressive Tonle Sap Lake.
With more guesthouses and hotels, including the impressive La Résidence d'Angkor Hotel and the majestic Hotel de la Paix, than temples. Formally known as the Southeast Asian hub, Siem Reap went through a few decades of slumber but is now back on the travellers’ circuit. It still offers a charming elegance with its old fashioned French shop houses, slow flowing river and shaded boulevards but through the development of tourism it is becoming increasingly popular and well worth a visit when exploring the delights Cambodia has to offer.
Siem Reap is a charming yet exciting city offering travellers a mixture of stunning landscapes, historical treasures and vibrant culturals, and a place worthy of a few days on any Cambodian or South East Asian holiday.
The Temples of Angkor are an influential spiritual source reflecting the bygone era of Cambodia. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was once the spiritual and political backbone of the once vast Khmer empire.
Built between 800 and 1200 AD, the temples of Angkor, are all that remain of the old capital of the Khmer empire. Angkor itself wasn’t then re-discovered for the western world until 1861 when French explorer, Henri Mouhot revealed published in his book, "Travels in Siam, Cambodia and Laos" detailed information about the architectural masterpieces that he came across in south east Asia, which he compared to the Egyptian pyramids, this raised sudden interest that captured the imagination of many travellers. Some temples have been left as they were found with giant tree roots entwined around pillars and through doorways, while others have been preserved and partially rebuilt through foreign aid.
Angkor is recognised internationally as a World Heritage Site and from a visitors perspective it remains one of the greatest architectural monuments on Earth. There is now a full range of hotels to choose from within the vicinity of the temples and in the nearby bustling city of Siem Reap, ranging from sophisticated luxury to something a little simpler.