Twenty years ago it would have been quite impossible for this lovely cultural city to have been featured on any travel list…

Siem Reap, Cambodia

They say that travel broadens the mind, and certainly those who have been fortunate enough to experience other cultures have a much broader perspective on the world. Most avid travelers have a list of places they intend to visit, either mentally, or a physical list which they tick off. However, the more wonderful places we discover and hear about, the longer the list gets. Somehow I fear we shall all die without ever reaching the end of our list, but that is no bad thing!

With these thoughts in mind, I intend to bring you my articles on the wonderful places in the world to visit. Consider these articles as menu of delectable offerings, each one tempting with its own flavor and style. Some places we feature will be “must see” places that you will immediately want to add to your “Places to Visit” list, while other destinations may be interesting and informative to learn about. I promise you they will never be dull or boring. .

Siem Reap, Cambodia
For our first destination, we would like to show you around Siem Reap, in northwestern Cambodia. Twenty years ago it would have been quite impossible for this lovely cultural city to have been featured on any travel list, but now it is open and welcoming to curious travelers. Siem Reap serves as a wonderful gateway to the Cambodian culture, history, architecture and the famous temples of Angkor Wat whilst also offering modern hotels and great shopping. Craft shops and silk farms abound, offering the chance to bring home some beautiful fabrics and hand-made jewelry. Take time to explore the Colonial and Chinese-influenced architecture of the Old French Quarter of Siem Reap and enjoy the cultural music and colorfully costumed Apsara dancers. The city dates back to 800AD and its temples and monuments are among the world’s premier architectural sites.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site at Angkor Wat
The highlight of any visit to Siem Reap will undoubtedly be time spent at the nearby Angkor Wat temple complex. Built in the early 12th century, when other cultures still lived in simple, temporary buildings, 25,000 workers labored for 37 years to create this temple city. Imagine then, that after the fall of the Khmer Empire in 1431, it remained unknown to the outside world for centuries, until French botanist, Henri Mahout, stumbled upon it deep in the jungle, in 1860. Surrounded by a 570-foot wide moat, Angkor Wat has a central pointed tower surrounded by four smaller towers and is embellished with gorgeous statues, carvings and works of art carved in bas-relief. The lesser attraction of nearby Bayon, the last great temple built at Angkor, has 54 towers which peer incongruously through the dense Cambodian jungle, still awaiting rescue.

Things to do in Siem Reap
The city of Siem Reap is built along the banks of the Siem Reap River. It is made up of a series of villages, each with their own Buddhist pagoda, called a Wat. Although Siem Reap is attracting increasing numbers of tourists, is it so far retaining its cultural identity. An international airport, new hotels and international restaurants make a visit palatable to those used to a first world lifestyle, but generally there is no conflict between serving tourists’ needs and maintaining the established way of life. These can all be enjoyed on a boat trip to see the local fishing villages; a bicycle tour around the paddy fields; eating at a local market food stall; supporting the work of local craftsmen and enjoying a cultural evening with dinner and an Apsara Dance display. A somber reminder of the recent reign of the Khmer Rouge can be experienced with a visit to the Cambodia Landmine Museum, a cause dear to the heart of the late Princess Diana. There is also a newly opened National Museum in the city containing unique and wonderfully crafted artifacts and 1000 Buddha images in the 8 purpose-built galleries, which are well-worth seeing.

For those who are seeking a trip that is a little different, off-the-beaten-track and steeped in wonderful architectural history and treasures, Siem Reap should go right to the top of your “Places I must Visit” list.

Veronica Ho is the owner of Travel Haven, a travel agency totally dedicated to organising creative and luxury packages. Join Travel Haven Email Club and be the FIRST to receive Special Promotions, Destinations Update and much more. http://www.TheTravelHavenOnline.com

Article Source: Exploring Siem Reap and Angkor Wat