Explore Ancient Remnants, Floating Villages & MORE For The Adventure Of A LIFETIME At Siem Reap

Intrigue, cultural discoveries, mystery, and excitement—what’s a holiday without a little bit of adventure? Whether you’re a solo traveller, couple or family, an adventurous holiday is perfect for those looking to add some thrill to their usual travel experience, and this Cambodian city is sure to give you just that!

Offering you so much more than the typical fly and flop getaways, Siem Reap is filled to the brim with rich archaeological activities. From ancient temples, floating villages, and museums, to its vibrant culture and great nightlife, there’s something for everyone! Don’t believe us? Here’s why Siem Reap is perfect for you:

1. Trek through the famous Angkor Wat temple 

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Once at the center of the Khmer empire, Angkor Wat is an awe-inspiring temple that is stunning for both its grand scale and incredible detail—and it’s one of those bucket list places that every human should experience before they die.

What to expect:

• The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
• Almost the size of five football fields, it is the largest religious monument in the world!
• It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, but gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. It is still a place of worship today.
• The best time to visit is around 5 AM. You’ll not only get to watch the breathtaking sunrise, but it’s also an ideal time to glam up your gram. Avoid the tourist rush too.
• Tourists are required to buy a ticket to enter. You can find its location here.

Opening hours: 5 AM to 5:30 PM
Entrance charge: 1-day pass for RM153, 3 days for RM256, and 7 days for RM298. Kids under 12 enter for free (bring their passport as proof of age).

2. Channel your inner Lara Croft at Ta Prohm Temple

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A battle between nature and architecture in the Cambodian jungle, Ta Prohm is undoubtedly the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor and should be high on the hit list of every visitor.

What to expect:

• A.k.a. the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ for its appearance in the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Fun fact: Paramount was charged RM41,366 per day for seven days to film there.
• It’s also famously known for the huge trees and the massive roots growing out of its walls.
• Get there early, because Ta Prohm is especially serene and beautiful in the early morning. A torch and a compass are useful for visiting this temple at all times.
• With Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat both being within the same vicinity (Angkor Archeological Park), you can use the same ticket to enter the temples. You can find its location here.

Opening hours: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Entrance charge: 1-day pass for RM153, 3 days for RM256, and 7 days for RM298. Kids under 12 enter for free (bring their passport as proof of age).

3. Take a tour of the floating villages in Tonle Sap Lake

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If you’re fascinated by how Cambodians live, then the Tonle Sap Lake is perfect for you, as you’ll get to see entire villages, houses, schools, and markets that are literally anchored in the middle of the water!

What to expect:

• Home to around 1.2 million people, Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia
• There are 4 floating villages along the stretch:
  • Chong Khneas (the closest to Siem Reap and thus the most touristy)
  • Kompong Phluk (a boat ride away from Chong Khneas and a good compromise if you don’t have much time on hand but want to see a less touristic place).
  • Mechrey (the newest village to the tourist scene, and pretty far from Siem Reap)
  • Kompong Khleang (the furthest away from Siem Reap, but the least touristic place of all)
• You can make stops at crocodile farms, find souvenirs and even have a sunset dinner on the lake!

Opening hours: 12 AM to 11:59 PM
Boat fees: Approximately RM82++ per person

4. Stroll through the infamous Wat Thmey Killing Fields 

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A visit to Wat Thmey is recommended to all travellers who are interested in learning about the tragic destiny of millions of Cambodians who vanished under the Khmer Rouge.

What to expect:

• Wat Thmey is also known as Siem Reap’s Killing Fields with a pagoda and a memorial stupa reminding of the events between 1975 and 1979, and is one of the more than 300 “killing fields” in Cambodia.
• Under Pol Pot’s (leader of the Khmer Rouge) regime, the pagoda served as a prison where many were kept and tortured until they confessed to a crime they did not commit.
• Some of the remains of these victims have been exhumed and placed in the memorial stupa near the pagoda. Together with photos, they share bone-chilling insights into the horror of past Cambodia.
• Today, the place has been developed into an active monastery, serving as an orphanage and school.

Opening hours: 6 AM to 6 PM

5. Step back in time at the Landmine Museum (and try not to cry)

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A quite literal blast from the past, the Landmine Museum pays an ode to the decades of conflict in Cambodia, telling the story of Aki Ra and the history of landmines in Cambodia.

What you should know:

• When Aki Ra was a child, he spent much of his formative years fighting in the Khmer Rouge army. After years of fighting, he returned to the villages where he planted thousands of mines and began removing them, by hand, and defusing them with homemade tools.
• Museum exhibits include mines, guns, mortars and other weaponry from Cambodia’s 35 years of war, as well as a mock minefield where you can learn the difficulties of locating and deactivating mines.
• All the money raised at the Landmine Museum through ticket sales will go to the Relief Center and School to care for the children and even clear landmines in Cambodia!

Opening hours: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Entrance fee: RM21 per person (free for children 12 years and below)

6. Break out the booze and party through the night at Pub Street 

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When the sun goes down, and the temples have been conquered, there is only one place left to be—Pub Street! It’s Siem Reap’s equivalent to Bangkok’s Khao San Road, with the party continuing around the clock.

What to expect:

• Officially titled as “Street 8”, Pub Street is a 100m stretch speckled with neon-lit clubs, bars, restaurants, and vendors that comes alive after 7 PM.
• Plus, alcohol is also superrrr cheap in Pub Street. You can expect to pay as little as RM4 for beers during happy hours!
• If you’re daring enough, try some fried scorpions and tarantulas sold by some of the vendors, or is crocodile, ostrich, kangaroo, and snake meat more of your thing? Cause they’ve got that too!

Opening hours: 24/7

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7. Shop ’til you drop at the night markets

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Great for those looking to experience the town’s unique culture and history, Siem Reap’s vibrant markets are great for purchasing authentic Cambodian craftsmanship.

What to expect:

• The Made in Cambodia Market offers a wide range of live performances, tasty local food, and Cambodian souvenirs by internationally renowned local artisans.
• Goods sold here are pricier compared to most markets in Siem Reap, but the uniqueness and quality of clothes, cosmetics, jewellery, paintings, and toys are well worth the splurge.
• As the market’s main philosophy is to help create Khmer jobs, all profits will go back to the artisans themselves!
• You can enjoy free live acoustic music or traditional dance shows during the weekends from 6 PM onwards and special circus performances by Phare, the Cambodia Circus once or twice a month.

Opening hours: 12 to 10 PM

• Shop for silk, handicrafts, crocodile leather, bags, local toys, artwork, decorations and more at the Siem Reap Art Center Market
• Free wifi is available and payments by credit card are possible.
• It’s a little more relaxed than other markets. Plus, the prices are a little cheaper here.
• You have to get there early to enjoy a free Apsara dance show performed every day from 8 till 9 PM

Opening hours: 8 PM to 12 AM

8. Shop for traditional Khmer crafts and learn some new skills at Angkor Handicraft Association

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The Fair Trade Village hosted by the Angkor Handicraft Association is highly recommended for those looking to see local artisans working on their products, learn about traditional Khmer crafting and even participate in interesting workshops.

• The fair-trade market houses 20 stalls selling authentic handwoven silk, silverware, stone and bronze statues, paintings, and bags.
• Best of all, 100% of profits are given back to the artisans and their families.
• Locally made products are even certified by the Angkor Handicraft Association! You’ll be able to spot the seal of certification in shops and venues associated with it.
• If you’re looking to pick up a new skill, the Association hosts 12 types of activities such as coconut carving, palm leaf weaving, and even flute making classes!

Opening hours: 10 AM to 7 PM

Source: Angkor Handicraft Association

Perfecting its ability to satisfy your hunger for adventure, it’s safe to say that Siem Reap is certainly an unforgettable experience. And if you’re craving for an action-packed adventure to this thrilling city, then have we got the deal for you!

From now till 29 February 2020, AirAsia Big Members can experience the thrill of Siem Reap from only RM92 onwards.

Plus, the travel period is from now till 30th June 2020, which means you don’t even have to wait to get your adrenaline pumping!

Find out more about this awesome promo from AirAsia here, and get on the next flight out for the adventure of a lifetime.