Known as the Kingdom of Wonder, Cambodia is full of history and culture and an abundance of natural beauty. The city of Siem Reap in the northwestern region of Cambodia is special for a few unique reasons. It was the seat of the ancient Khmer Kingdom and is currently the gateway to the ruins of the famous Angkor Wat. In addition, the city caters to the comfort and entertainment of visitors with luxury hotels, delightful restaurants, bars and nightlife. Let us find out how best to explore this special city.

Arriving in Siem Reap - The newest Airport in Siem Reap known as Siem Reap Angkor International Airport is now open and is served by 10 airlines. Whilst for certain nations in the region there are direct flights, others may need to arrive in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia and either take a domestic flight or take a bus.

Getting about in Siem Reap – Going about in Siem Reap is easy with many tuk-tuks being operated. Apart from this using Grab Taxis are convenient. As tuk-tuks are plentiful, most visitors staying at the best hotels in Siem Reap tend to use them more often. However, make sure you agree to the hire before commencing the trip.

Hiring a tuk-tuk for the day when you visit the Angkor Wat complex is wise as the drivers are familiar with the site.

When selecting accommodation consider your budget and the travel convenience to the sites of interest in Siem Reap. Most visitors tend to check reviews of properties and book with their regular booking site or book directly with the property.

May to October is the wet season in Siem Reap with rain showers, however, towards the end of October the showers become less frequent. Be aware that as a tropical nation, Cambodia is warm throughout the year.The dry season is from November to May, with many visitor arrivals in the city. The larger number of arrivals takes place from January to March.

As you explore this fascinating city of the ancient Khmer Kingdom, select the locations that appeal to you and have a plan to manage your time effectively. These are some of the unique highlights of Siem Reap.

Cambodia Cultural Village – A theme park that provides a glimpse into the traditional Cambodian lives through at least 10 local villages. These showcase the customs and culture of different ethnic groups. An illuminating and inspiring exploration.

Angkor Wat Complex – Doing this tour on a tuk-tuk is best, enabling you to arrive at sunrise to see its glorious beauty. There are many interesting temples and special locations within this complex. As Angkor Wat temple opens at 5 am this is easy, and you can select a good location to capture the best sunrise view. By arriving early, you get a head start to cover most of the intriguing parts of the complex by mid-day such as Bayon Temple, Baphoun Temple, Pre Rup Temple, Pass the Tonle Om Gate etc.

Phare (Cambodian Circus) – This enchanting and unusual circus uses Khmer people rather than numerous animals. These locals do acrobatics and circus tricks to amuse and entertain the audience. Watching one will be a rewarding experience.

Cambodia Landmine Museum – This museum has been an endeavour to portray the efforts to make Cambodia safe and free of landmines by Aki Ra, a local mine layer who was forced to plant land mines at the young age of 5 years. A tour that provides many insights.