Travel Guide to Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cost: Free to wander. Food: $-$$

Funky Fact: There’s NO McDonalds in Cambodia.

1. Samudra Manthan

This larger than life size sculpture depicts the Hindu tale of The Churning of the Ocean of Milk. It shows the serpent king as the divine rope. You can find this along the riverside in the Angkor Was complex.

2. Pub Street

Known as Pub Street or Street 08. This street fills with tourists during dinner and into the night it bumps with music blasting into the night.

3. Bayon Temple

Angkor Was is a massive complex filled with temples. Bayon is my favorite. It’s decorated and was built in the late 12th or early 13th century. There are an estimated 200 faces throughout the maze-like structure.

4. Fish Foot Massage

Also knows as a fish pedicure this spa treatment allows visitors to dip their toes into water with hundreds of hungry little fish called Garra rufa. They are also called doctor fish and eat the dead skin cells from your feet leaving them soft and smooth. The process takes about 15 min. and actually tickles a lot.

5. Shop for Antiques

Market and stalls are filled with artifacts and antiques for lovers of history.

6. Wat Preah Prom Rath

Located next to the river this modern complex is filled with color and glimmering pagodas.

7. Trees

Silk cotton trees, fig, banyan and kapok trees can be seen all over the temples at Angkor was Complex. Some of them are 500 years old.

8. One Dollar Street Carts

All over pub street are stalls and street carts selling $1 (U.S.D.) food, mixed drinks, shots, and jewelry. Try the street pancakes they are fantastic. US money in small bills is widely accepted in Cambodia as its a stable currency.

9. Local Painters

In the market, fabulous artist sling paint onto empty canvases with imagery for tourists to remember their trip to Cambodia. Painting range in price based on size from $10 USD to $200 for extra large canvases.

10. Fresh Local Ingredients

Cambodians are fantastic chefs and have adapted to foreigners tastes to offer many Westen Dishes as well as local cuisine. Try Fish Amok, or Char kroeung sach ko (stir-fried lemongrass beef) for a taste of Cambodia.

11. Colonial Architecture

Formerly a French Colony, Cambodian history can be seen throughout town in Old French Architecture. Cambodia was occupied by the French for 90 years starting in the 1860s.

12. Vishnu

A brilliantly decorated statue of Vishnu in the Hall of a thousand buddhas in Angkor Wat. Seemingly un-notable, this statue represents why the iconic Angkor Wat was originally built in the 12th century. At first construction, it was a Hindu temple for the god Vishnu. It want until the 14th century and the conversion of the royal family to Theravada Buddhism that Buddhism became the main religion. Today the government estimates that rougly 95 percent of Cambodians are Buddhist.

13. Durian

Most LOVE it or HATE it. Known throughout Asia as the stinkiest delicacy, its actually banned from being eaten in most hotels due to its fragrance. Durian product come in all forms but Durian Ice Cream is an easy palatable way to try the food in a small portion.

14. Magic Stick Ice Cream

An unusual and fun alternative to a cone. The magic stick allows cone-noisseurs to try 2 scoops in a fun umbrella shaped stick.

15. Night Market

Found on Sivatha Boulevard, the night marked is a meandering collection of stalls selling ever souvenir imaginable.