Siem Reap is Asia’s next “up and coming” destination. Visiting this Cambodian charmer today feels like landing in Bali or Vietnam 10 years ago. As soon as you arrive, you can sense that the area is about to take off!
While the city is quickly gaining momentum, for now, Siem Reap still exudes that effervescent explorer’s charm many travellers find themselves chasing. The area still feels like uncharted territory – one that hasn’t been homogenised by international fast food outlets and coffee shops waiting on every corner. All in all, it’s a very attractive offering for travellers wanting to go beyond the tried and tested and discover something new and exhilarating.
A Stunning Transformation
When the pandemic brought international travel to a screeching halt, many popular destinations settled into suspended animation and quietly waited for travellers to return. Siem Reap chose a different tactic that has more than paid off. Here, the local government sprung to action, giving the whole city a spectacular facelift. During the pandemic, nearly 40 roads were repaved – including those leading up to the mighty temples of Angkor – and extensive cycling paths were added.
And it’s not just the roads that have received an upgrade. Overall, Siem Reap’s moment in the sun has been a long time in the making and it has been fascinating to witness the city’s transformation during the past decade. Compared to our visit back in 2014, the city now feels a lot more urban. There are more LCD screens illuminating those newly paved roads and the overall infrastructure has moved forward in leaps and bounds.
In 2023, Siem Reap was TripAdvisor’s fourth most searched travel destination. The city seems poised to welcome this new influx of travellers with open arms. The brand new Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is set to open in October 2023. Singapore Airlines already offers 10 weekly flights between Singapore and Siem Reap and the new airport is bound to increase direct international connections even further.
Vibrant Energy Meets Incredible Value
Following the upward swing of the local economy, Siem Reap is seeing a new breed of glistening shopping malls. But for visitors, the main action still revolves around Pub Street. This large crossroads in the centre of town boasts an outdoor shopping area and countless restaurants representing every cuisine under the sun. Street performers provide the soundtrack as neon lights add their vibrant glow. Exploring the local night market is an incredibly rich exercise and one we’ve found impossible to resist – so much so that we went back several times during our last visit. It’s fun simply to stroll through this maze of a market where tables are piled high with Burmese gem stones, ornate local fabrics and all the tourist trail staples you’d expect, from stubby holders to harem pants.
Just as Siem Reap is right on the cusp of arriving, Cambodia by large is still a work in progress. This developing country is still behind the power houses that have been dubbed the Asian Tigers. While we have seen prices for villas and restaurants increase throughout the region, Cambodia still offers incredible value. In Siem Reap, 20 dollars translates to a lovely night out for a couple. You can expect to pay around 40 dollars for a lavish family dinner or 100 dollars for a fabulous meal for a large group. Likewise, our hand selected villas and trusted tour operators in Siem Reap allow you to indulge without breaking the bank.
The Ancient Charm of Angkor
Much of Siem Reap’s allure lies in how this city weaves together the ancient and the up and coming. The city’s main attraction is of course the incredible Angkor Archaeological Park. Angkor Wat, as the complex is colloquially known, actually points to a specific temple inside the 400 square kilometre area, its imposing towers represented on the Cambodian flag.
Dating back to the 9th century, Angkor was rediscovered in the Cambodian jungle in the 1800s. While the complex has since become a world famous landmark, visiting Angkor still gives you that thrilling Tomb Rider experience of wonder and discovery. The way you choose to experience its splendour is up to you. While it’s very affordable to hire a car and driver for the day, we would suggest opting for a tuk-tuk instead. There is something very Indiana Jones about marvelling at these ancient ruins while seated at the back of a motorbike taxi as your driver/tour guide provides a running commentary over their shoulder.
Our Secret Hack for Visiting Angkor
During our travels, we have discovered the ultimate hack for making the most of any and every iconic site, be it Angkor, the Vatican or the Louvre. Our advice is simple: Always get there first. This doesn’t come from a competitive spirit – we’re not trying to “beat” anyone or to bend any rules. Rather than pushing and shoving your way to the head of the line, we simply suggest getting there early and then politely waiting for your turn. More often than not, you’ll end up having these incredible sites (almost) to yourself, minus the crowds.
For Angkor in particular, getting there early comes with some unexpected benefits. The most coveted photo in Siem Reap is the temple of Angkor Wat at sunrise, with the morning rays reflected in the surrounding ponds. Every day, people line up with commercial grade camera gear to capture the perfect shot. But wait a minute, you say. Wouldn’t that mean that it’s going to be crowded even if I get there early? Well, yes and no!
You see, with everyone else busy setting up for that perfect sunrise shot, you can stroll through the central walkway and politely ask the security personnel if you could please be admitted to the park as early as possible. Again, we’re not advocating for asking for special favours! Just get there early and politely ask to be admitted at the earliest convenience. Simple yet effective! Back in 2014, this tactic allowed us to enter the park a full hour before anyone else. In 2023, we were again able to enter the archaeological park among the first few. While exploring the ruins, we occasionally spotted a fellow visitor or two but for the most part, it felt like we had this amazing landmark to ourselves.
In those early morning hours, we took our time exploring the temple of Angkor Wat. As we were walking out, we were greeted by what felt like thousands of people who were just about to enter the temple. As the crowds descended, we hopped on the back of our tuk-tuk and set off to the next temple.
Of all the wonders of Angkor, the temple of Ta Prohm in particular is sure to leave a lasting impression. Over the course of the centuries, jungle has taken over the temple ruins, with sturdy roots climbing over the majestic stone structures and melding with the ornate carvings. While Ta Prohm is now often referred to as “the Tomb Raider Temple” and many flock here simply to tick the movie location off their bucket list, the temple’s allure goes far beyond its silver screen fame. Ta Prohm really is one of the most incredible displays of “nature meets art” found anywhere in the world.
Thanks to our early morning start, we waved Angkor goodbye and made it back home to our villa in time for lunch. Even our seasoned driver couldn’t believe how smoothly the day had gone!
Our Top Tip? Don’t Delay – Go Now
Without a doubt, Angkor is among those rare monuments that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. That’s why we need to take this opportunity to ring a gentle alarm: the time to visit Angkor is now. If you’ve always planned to visit this UNESCO-protected landmark “someday”, don’t delay your trip any further. Go now.
Today, Angkor is still just as beautiful as it was 10-20 years ago. If you follow our advice and get there early in the day, it is nothing short of spectacular. However, there are some early signs of the tourism industry and even some of the conservation efforts beginning to take their toll on this amazing landmark. While exploring the archaeological park, you can see how conservationists are recreating parts of Angkor’s magic using modern materials. While this is naturally done with the very best intentions, it does dilute the impact of the original structures that have merged with nature over the course of centuries. That’s why we urge travellers to go now as there is no guarantee that Angkor will still have the same magic 10 years down the line.
Villas in Siem Reap – from Ancestral to Avant-Garde
As is true throughout the region, the market in Siem Reap has been flooded with private villas. But on closer inspection, many of them come with hidden downfalls – perhaps the villa doesn’t match the photos published online or the level of service simply isn’t up to scratch. When this happens, it often turns out that the owners don’t come from a hospitality background. As a result, the level of comfort and attention to detail that only come from years spent in the industry simply aren’t there. That’s why we have searched the area with a fine toothed comb and hand selected the properties that actually meet our high Ministry standards.
The villas we’ve discovered in Siem Reap are true hidden gems and exploring their rich architectural influences has been a true joy. And that’s one of the many benefits of staying in a private villa: these are not generic, cookie cutter structures but ambitiously designed and meticulously curated works of art.
You can speak with one of our villa specialists to learn more about the local Khmer architecture, traditional building materials and how they’ve been employed to handle the Cambodian seasons and to maximize natural airflow. Besides villas inspired by local culture, we’re also seeing a new breed of modern villas being built in Siem Reap. In these contemporary structures, the owners have deployed their own vision of style and comfort to create the ultimate home away from home. These villas are sure to appeal to the modern traveller looking to experience the exotic charm of Siem Reap while being surrounded by the comforts of home.
Because we’ve personally inspected each and every villa and even stayed in a few of them, we can help you find the villa that most speaks to you, whether you’re partial to modern aesthetics or prefer a more traditional approach.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed…
So far, we’ve covered both the old and the new and introduced some truly amazing villas. But as we all know, it is the people and the culture that truly make a destination. We can sincerely say that in all our travels, we have not encountered more loving and kind hearted people than the ones we’ve had the pleasure and privilege of meeting in Cambodia. The Cambodian people exude the same love and kindness as the Balinese, while the language feels reminiscent of Vietnamese. In a similar vein, Siem Reap’s vibrant markets and pulsating nightlife call to mind Ho Chi Min City – or perhaps a smaller version of Bangkok or Phuket. And that really is the beauty of Siem Reap.
This vibrant Cambodian city offers comfort in the familiar while still providing that absolute thrill of adventure – all the while feeling completely safe. And it’s not just a feeling, either. Smartraveller advises visitors to Cambodia to exercise “normal safety precautions” – the same advice that’s applied to destinations like New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.
Siem Reap lets visitors live out their own thrilling Indiana Jones adventures while also offering a soothing sense of safety. Overall, this city really is the full package, offering something old, something new, something borrowed… with nothing but blue skies ahead.
