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Step 39/48: Cambodia - Siemreab

Siemreab photo by Guillaume Barreau

About Siemreab

The name of Siem Reap is a provocative rendering of Khmer-Thai century-old disputes, actually meaning something like "the defeat of the ugly Thai". "Ugly" is not particularly right. But in essence, that's what it means. Anyways, you don't go to Siem Reap to visit a swampy battlefield, but for the magnificent complex of Angkor temples, the jewel of Cambodia. Angkor has hundreds of Hindu and Buddhist and not only Angkor Wat! Between the 9th and 13th century, Cambodians have built one of today's most impressive archeological site, said to be the world's largest preindustrial agglomeration. It is expensive to get in, but surprisingly well-maintained, with bins and all. And no beggars. The con is the said prohibition of foreigner driving motorbikes, so you'll have to either ride a bicycle (not the best option for the far-flung temples) or rent a tuk-tuk. Bargain hard, as you're just one out of the two million wealthy toursits pouring in each year, raising prices up. 3 to 5$ is enough.
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How I got here ?

Price: 80 €

Traveling time: 18 hours

With a stop-over in Bangkok

Tips & Tricks

  • To visit Angkor, bargain with a tuk-tuk driver from the city for your whole stay
  • Some temples are better visited at the end of the day, when the tour buses leave

Things to see

Angkor Wat 9 /10
- €
Angkor Wat photo by Guillaume Barreau

User's opinion
Angkor Wat is the most famous of all Angkor temples. It’s been built in the 12th century and is dedicated to Vishnu. Amazing bas-relief friezes depict scenes of the main Hindu epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The Churning of the Sea of Milk is an impressively well- preserved one.
Bayon 10 /10
- €
Bayon photo by Guillaume Barreau

User's opinion
The Bayon is also a tourist-favourite. With its large stone faces with serene looks, the temple built by the Buddhist king Jayavarman VII (you’ll see statues of him all over the country btw) has bas-relief not representing religious facts but everyday life and actual events.
Ta Prohm 9 /10
- €
Ta Prohm photo by Guillaume Barreau

User's opinion
Also in the Bayon style, built by Jayavarman VII, Ta Prohm has become a part of the jungle, merging with nature. Indeed, Ta Prohm is the most picturesque temple with silk cotton trees growing out of the ruins.

Practical

Babel siem reap guesth... 6/10
Price 3 €
Address

No # 738, Village
Siem Reap

Babel Siem Reap Guesthouse photo User's opinion:


Luggage Room Available Air Conditioning Available No Curfew Internet Available Hot Shower Available Washing Machine Available