Begin Your Day in Siem Reap
Angkor Wat for Sunrise
Angkor Wat aglow in early morning sunlight.
Angkor Wat aglow in early morning sunlight.
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If you have just one day in Siem Reap, a large portion of it should be spent at the ruins of Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located less than five miles from the city center of Siem Reap, and which expand from the main temple of Angkor Wat unto miles of ruins, each temple unique.
Angkor Wat aglow in early morning sunlight.
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If you have just one day in Siem Reap, a large portion of it should be spent at the ruins of Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located less than five miles from the city center of Siem Reap, and which expand from the main temple of Angkor Wat unto miles of ruins, each temple unique.
Angkor Wat
Many visitors to Siem Reap start their day well before sunrise and travel the ten miles or so to Angkor Wat from their hotel in the dark in order to be there before the sun starts its ascent. Then you can watch the sun slowly appear behind the temple, as I did. To do this, you’ll need to arrive in Siem Reap the night before.
The path leading to the main temple of Angkor Wat.
The path leading to the main temple of Angkor Wat.
If you’re not arriving into Siem Reap until that morning, or you’re just not a morning person and don’t mind missing the sunrise, you’ll still want to begin your day’s activities at the ancient ruins of Angkor in order to see as many of the temples as possible.
You’ve heard of Angkor Wat, but What About Angkor Thom
Get ready to play favorites with the temples of Angkor because you’re not going to be able to see all of them in just one day. The most popular to visit if you’re short on time are Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and my personal favorite — the “Tomb Raider Temple” (also known as Ta Prohm to non-Angelina Jolie fans; this temple is where parts of the movie Tomb Raider was filmed).
Another shot of Angkor Thom
Hazy green water under the bridge leading to the Tomb Raider Temple.
The path leading to the main temple of Angkor Wat.
The path leading to the main temple of Angkor Wat.
If you’re not arriving into Siem Reap until that morning, or you’re just not a morning person and don’t mind missing the sunrise, you’ll still want to begin your day’s activities at the ancient ruins of Angkor in order to see as many of the temples as possible.
You’ve heard of Angkor Wat, but What About Angkor Thom
Get ready to play favorites with the temples of Angkor because you’re not going to be able to see all of them in just one day. The most popular to visit if you’re short on time are Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and my personal favorite — the “Tomb Raider Temple” (also known as Ta Prohm to non-Angelina Jolie fans; this temple is where parts of the movie Tomb Raider was filmed).
Another shot of Angkor Thom
Hazy green water under the bridge leading to the Tomb Raider Temple.
Hazy green water under the bridge leading to Ta Prohm, the Tomb Raider Temple.
Ta Prohm Temple
I especially loved Ta Prohm because of the tall trees and their massive trunks with roots that snaked over the ground and ruins.
The curving roots of this tree reminds me elbows and hands.
When walking around the ruins, you’ll quickly learn there’s a reason they also sell 3-day and 1-week passes to the park in addition to the 1-day pass – there is simply too much to see in one day – or even two days. Therefore, if you only have one day, maximize your time by hiring a guide.
Walking through Angkor Archaeological Park with our guide.
Archaeological Park with our guide.
Your hotel should be able to help you arrange this. With a guide you’ll also need a tuk-tuk driver.
Angkor Archaeological Park is quite sprawling, which is why a tuk-tuk is good to hire to quickly transport you between the temples you most want to see.
Angkor Archaeological Park is quite sprawling, which is why a tuk-tuk is good to hire to quickly transport you between the temples you most want to see.
If thoughts of bus tours and traveling around with 30 other people pops into your mind at the mention of “guide” – don’t worry, this guided tour is nothing like that. For this price, your Angkor Wat guide is just for you and your travel companions.
It’s an amazing deal and an incredible experience. Having your own personal historian lets you learn the ancient stories of the temples and land of Angkor while still being able to go at your own pace.
The curving roots of this tree reminds me elbows and hands.
When walking around the ruins, you’ll quickly learn there’s a reason they also sell 3-day and 1-week passes to the park in addition to the 1-day pass – there is simply too much to see in one day – or even two days. Therefore, if you only have one day, maximize your time by hiring a guide.
Walking through Angkor Archaeological Park with our guide.
Archaeological Park with our guide.
Your hotel should be able to help you arrange this. With a guide you’ll also need a tuk-tuk driver.
Angkor Archaeological Park is quite sprawling, which is why a tuk-tuk is good to hire to quickly transport you between the temples you most want to see.
Angkor Archaeological Park is quite sprawling, which is why a tuk-tuk is good to hire to quickly transport you between the temples you most want to see.
If thoughts of bus tours and traveling around with 30 other people pops into your mind at the mention of “guide” – don’t worry, this guided tour is nothing like that. For this price, your Angkor Wat guide is just for you and your travel companions.
It’s an amazing deal and an incredible experience. Having your own personal historian lets you learn the ancient stories of the temples and land of Angkor while still being able to go at your own pace.
Our guide always gave my travel partner and me the option of climbing to the top of at temple if we wanted. When I wanted to go to a different part of the Angkor Wat courtyard to get a better shot of the sunrise, he had no problem waiting until I’d gotten my picture fix. And he very patiently and expertly answered all my questions.
Climbing one of the temples at Angkor.
Climbing one of the temples.
Thanks to having a guide I learned things about the temples I never would have known if I’d gone around the site just on my own. Our guide also suggested sites within the park he thought we would like that he took us around to and explained the history of, which we may not have visited otherwise.
Returning to Siem Reap from Angkor Wat
Climbing one of the temples at Angkor.
Climbing one of the temples.
Thanks to having a guide I learned things about the temples I never would have known if I’d gone around the site just on my own. Our guide also suggested sites within the park he thought we would like that he took us around to and explained the history of, which we may not have visited otherwise.
Returning to Siem Reap from Angkor Wat
Your day at Angkor Wat will probably end around one or two if you started at dawn and hired a guide. A nap will probably sound very enticing when you get back to your hotel, but try to resist. You need to make the most of your one day in Siem Reap.
Colorful temple in the city center of Siem Reap.
Colorful temple (Wat Preach Prom Rath) in the city center of Siem Reap.
Instead of napping, relax your sore muscles by heading to one of the dozens of massage studios in Siem Reap. I got an excellent massage at Body Tune, located next to the Old Market in Siem Reap. Though a bit more expensive than some of the other studios it was well worth it – the place was clean and modern with a peaceful ambiance and most importantly, the massage was incredibly relaxing. Absolute bliss.
After getting your muscles nice and relaxed, take a stroll around town (yes, yes, I know – more walking, but worth it – I promise) and browse in the many shops and markets. Pretty much everywhere in Siem Reap takes U.S. dollars, which makes it easy to negotiate and quickly understand what the counter offer is. Be prepared for some friendly, but still aggressive vendors trying to coerce you over to their shop, which is likely to be selling anything from t-shirts to jade necklaces to leather purses.
Wat Preah Prom Rath, a temple in the city center of Siem Reap near Old Market.
Colorful temple in the city center of Siem Reap.
Colorful temple (Wat Preach Prom Rath) in the city center of Siem Reap.
Instead of napping, relax your sore muscles by heading to one of the dozens of massage studios in Siem Reap. I got an excellent massage at Body Tune, located next to the Old Market in Siem Reap. Though a bit more expensive than some of the other studios it was well worth it – the place was clean and modern with a peaceful ambiance and most importantly, the massage was incredibly relaxing. Absolute bliss.
After getting your muscles nice and relaxed, take a stroll around town (yes, yes, I know – more walking, but worth it – I promise) and browse in the many shops and markets. Pretty much everywhere in Siem Reap takes U.S. dollars, which makes it easy to negotiate and quickly understand what the counter offer is. Be prepared for some friendly, but still aggressive vendors trying to coerce you over to their shop, which is likely to be selling anything from t-shirts to jade necklaces to leather purses.
Wat Preah Prom Rath, a temple in the city center of Siem Reap near Old Market.
Wat Preah Prom Rath, a temple in Siem Reap near Old Market.
Siem Reap is also home to Wat Preah Prom Rath, an old temple that has been well-preserved and is still used by monks today and is free to walk through. It is close to Old Market and has many statues and gardens to walk among.
Eating and Nightlife in Siem Reap
If it’s hot in Siem Reap the day you’re there (which is likely) and you need something cold to help take your mind off the heat, Swensen’s has delicious ice cream treats and is located a couple block away from Old Market in a little shopping complex.
Thank You
More Info:
👉 +85587500438
👉 +855979379152
Siem Reap is also home to Wat Preah Prom Rath, an old temple that has been well-preserved and is still used by monks today and is free to walk through. It is close to Old Market and has many statues and gardens to walk among.
Eating and Nightlife in Siem Reap
If it’s hot in Siem Reap the day you’re there (which is likely) and you need something cold to help take your mind off the heat, Swensen’s has delicious ice cream treats and is located a couple block away from Old Market in a little shopping complex.
Thank You
More Info:
👉 +85587500438
👉 +855979379152
