Siem Reap is comparatively a small town and the main local cuisine is the Khmer food which can be found at the restaurants across town, but the European and other Asian cuisines are also well presented including Italian, Thai, Germany, Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and of course French, given Cambodia’s long relationship with France’s gastronomical traditions and it is no surprise that some of the town’s most finest venues offer French cuisine.

In the most recent years, some of Siem Reap’s finest restaurants offer Khmer fusion and contemporary cuisines, which are diverse and unique to Cambodia.

And for economical food prices, there are many restaurants scattered across town and none is more than 5 minute tuk-tuk ride away or you can just go to the old market area, there, there are many reasonably priced eating areas which all offer Khmer cuisine and other western or Asian foods, especially around “pub street”, listings in dark blue, offer a bar / night life venue in addition to being a restaurant and listings in maroon also offer traditional performance.

The most recommended places are, Abacus, Aha, Alliance Café, Baca Villa, Blue Pumpkin, Bopha Angkor Hotel and Restaurant, Butterflies Garden to name a few.
There is also a free pocket magazine which is available in all hotels, guest houses and other places of accommodation, it gives you all the information you need about the times, menus, locations and offers.

After a busy day site seeing and exploring Cambodia there are many places to relax and enjoy a drink. Cambodia boasts a vibrant nightlife. Siem Reap offers many bars, restaurants and clubs to be explored. For those avid party people who like to stay out till the sun comes up there are places that are open 24 hours a day. So be assured that anytime of day there will be a place to have fun.

The nightlife is more local than places like Thailand but foreigners are easily accommodated. In Siem Reap the liveliest bars are situated near the Old Market on Pub Street. Two places that are worth a visit are The Angkor What? and The Temple Club. Here you can dance the night away to the club’s noisy music so don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes. Enjoy meeting locals as well as sharing travel stories and tips on this cosmopolitan street. Mingle with expats who can give you more information on being a foreigner in Cambodia.

The variety of places to chose from means that there is something for everyone when planning a night out. Enjoy some music to remind you of home at Molly Malone’s where expats provide live cover versions of famous songs. At many restaurants you can enjoy food as well as drinks and music until late. Tourist offices in Cambodia can offer information on any special events. Go Go bars are not acceptable in Cambodia and hostesses are more respectably dressed. This however is not to say that there is not a naughtier side to the nightlife in Cambodia.

The past political problems in Cambodia attempted to destroy many of the Khmer people’s traditions. However financial aid and NGO projects have contributed to the revival and growth of many traditions such as silk weaving. Learning more about silk weaving is not only a fascinating experience for those who want to know about the creation of silk but more than that it is a glimpse into the life of Cambodian people. The tradition of silk weaving has been passed down from generation to generation and therefore is embraced by a rich cultural history. Silk produced in Cambodia is respected and coveted by silk collectors around the world.

The National Silk Farm is a worth while part of any trip to Cambodia. It is situated 16kms from Siem Reap and the journey offers spectacular scenery which tourists can enjoy. There are many young Cambodian people that are working here contributing to the continuation of age old Cambodian traditions. There are free guided tours so that tourists can be educated in the production of silk.

Amongst the many fascinating things you can expect to see is the process of growing mulberry trees to provide food for the silk worms, how to breed silk worms and how to remove the silk from the cocoons. You can also see the artisans at work preparing silk threads for weaving, using traditional ikat dying techniques and weaving the thread into magnificent pieces of silk. There is a shop where visitors can view the variety of silk products. The National Arts Center opens in the morning and closes at 5pm. Visitors should allow at least one hour for a tour.

Shopping in Cambodia offers an abundance of treasures to be discovered. As well as the many traditional markets the last few years has seen a growth in boutiques and art galleries scattered around Siem Reap. Choose from a variety of spectacular artwork and fine textiles. There is a growth of contemporary artwork in Cambodia creating art that expresses the experiences of Cambodian people over the last few decades. Statues and carvings also offer interesting purchases. Many of the crafts that you can buy in Cambodia are created from years of history and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. Religious crafts are available in plentitude amongst the markets of Cambodia.

Gem stones are an important part of Cambodia’s trade but it is wise only to make big purchases if you have knowledge of gems. This is important to avoid scams where fake gems are presented with authentic paper work. Silver wear that is created in traditional Khmer design can be bought from main markets and hotels. The karma which is a colored, chequed scarf that is traditionally worn by Khmer people, is a popular souvenir amongst tourists. This is also a practical item as it can be used to protect your neck from the sun.

Silk collectors around the world covert Cambodian silk which is predominately hand loomed with expertise that has been passed down from generation to generation. The National Silk Centre offers fascinating insight into the production of silk products. Phsar Chas otherwise known as “The Old Market” is a large traditional market that is a must see in Siem Reap. It offers a wide selection of products as well as a vibrant shopping experience.

The small city of Siem Reap is the best place to stay if you intend to visit the Angkor Wat complex. There are a number of good places to stay and accommodation comes in all shapes and sizes, from budget backpacker haunts to luxurious hotels.

Most places will be able to arrange passes and accommodation to the Angkor Wat complex as well, as guides and a range of other services. There are numerous decent restaurants in Siem which offer a wide variety of international cuisine and bars to hang out in the evening.

Before you visit Angkor, stop by Miniature Replicas, where you will see sculptures of all the temples situated in a lovely garden. This is a good way to get an idea of how much there is to see and plan your time accordingly. There are also a number of modern temples situated around Siem Reap, such as Wat Bo with its beautiful paintings and former royal palace Wat Dam Nak, which provide an interesting contrast to the wonders of Angkor.

Getting here is easy as Siem Reap is connected to the rest of Cambodia by bus and it is also possible to catch a bus directly from parts of Bangkok and Vietnam. Most people find it difficult to leave Siem Reap and you need to allow at least three days to explore it thoroughly.

Khmer Kingdom

Experience the sheer grandeur of one of the World’s Modern Wonders, visit Cambodia’s incredible Angkor complex. These 11th Century temple ruins, covering a vast area and comprising of numerous temples reclaimed by Cambodia’s tropical jungle. It’s just one of the surprises of this plucky country, where it’s sad recent history is very much part of the tourism.

We’ve been travelling to Cambodia for over a decade, recording the rise of its tourism, and present to you a blog, soon to become a full tourist site to help you plan your visit. The country has a surprisingly good tourist infrastructure and plenty to see and do, all recorded here.

From the Royal Palace, Tol Slueng Prison and Killing Fields of Phnom Penh to the beaches of Sihanoukville and tourist bustle of Siem Reap, we have the country covered. And we haven’t even mentioned the friendly locals, good food and amazing Asian landscapes.