Siem Reap is a big city located close to Angkor Wat. In fact, this city is the base which provides the necessary infrastructure for tourists coming to visit Angkor. Siem Reap is an exciting city which has many tourist attractions. There are half tours to temple areas, Angkor Wat forest, Chantiers Ecoles, Kompong Pluk, the flooded forest, Pagoda tour, Tonle Sap 3 day cruise, Countryside biking tour and balloon over Angkor.

Full day tours offered from Siem Reap include a visit to the Biosphere Reserve of Prek Tuol, Beang Mealea, Koh Ker and the one day temple tours. Siem Reap is a city surrounded by at least 60 temple ruins including the legendary Angkor Wat, the giant tree at Ta Prom and the giant faces of Bayon.

The largest fresh water lake in Southeast Asia, Tonle Sap Lake is located in Siem Reap. This lake is flooded by the Tonle Sap River which is the only river that reverses its flow during the monsoon seasons between June and October every year. Siem Reap features many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines for tourists apart from the traditional Khmer dishes.

Other interesting activities for visitors at Siem Reap include golf, horseback riding and Khmer cooking experiences. Old market and Central market at Siem Reap offers tourists an enjoyable shopping experience. These are bargain markets where you require excellent bargaining skills in order to get a good deal on attractive wares such as freshwater pearls, glassware, bed covers and natural Cambodian silk.

One of the major attractions close to Siem Reap is the floating village called Chong Kneas on the Tonle Sap Lake. You can reach this village in about thirty minutes from the city. The route to this village is lined with attractive paddy fields and stilted houses. The first thing you can see as you enter the floating village are rows of tourist boats docked.

The village itself is small in size from where you can reach the Tonle Sap Lake in about twenty minutes by boat. One of the most popular schools in Cambodia can be found in this village. This school features an interesting floating basketball court built ingeniously. The protective rails on the sides of the court restrict the ball and players inside.
Chong Kneas village is famous for its crocodile and fish farm. Tourists can feed the cat fish at these farms. Crocodile farm has ten crocodiles. From the second or third storey of the farm you can have a fantastic view of the Tonle Sap Lake and the floating village.

Siem Reap is a city of great historical and cultural importance. Both Siem Reap and Chong Kneas are visited by hundreds and thousands of tourists every year. Visit Siem Reap for a different and unique holiday experience. Other interesting experiences around Siem Reap include trips to Prek Toal bird sanctuary, Kampung Khleang and Kampung Phluk.

Kampung Khleang and Kampung Phluk are couple of river villages on the lake. Though much larger than Chong Kneas, these villages are seldom visited by tourists. This gives you an opportunity to enjoy a more personal and intimate experience with the villagers.

 

© 2009 Abiyoyo SL