Siem Reap 4-Day travel guide: Angkor Wat, Temples, Floating Villages & Cultural Highlights

Disclaimer: This blog post was originally written in 2013 and imported from an older version of the blog. As a result, some of the photographs may appear blurry. While the content reflects the experiences and information available at the time, some details may have changed since then. I recommend verifying current travel conditions, attractions, and other relevant information before planning your visit.

When I shared my travel bucketlist with my Facebook audience back in 2010, one eager commenter immediately recommended I add Cambodia to that list. This was back when I lived in Kuala Lumpur, and so when AirAsia came up with a sweet deal, I snapped at the opportunity.

And Cambodia was…truly remarkable.

To start off, I was totally impressed with the locals; soft, polite, and surprisingly good English that they learn from the many tourists that flock around the temples and ancient ruins. Our hotel staff were extremely accommodating – we landed in Siem Reap at 7 am on a weekday, and they arranged airport pick up (by tuk-tuk, more on that in a bit) and also let us check in as soon as we got to the hotel. Additionally, they let us check out late FOC (around 3.30 pm) and always left the key in the key slot in the bedroom to keep the air conditioning running, so that we could come back to a chilled room after our exploring. Probably not very environmentally friendly – but such intentions went out the window the moment I landed. Temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius – yikes!

Our first sight in Cambodia was of the vehicle which we would be using over the next few days – the tuk-tuk. Though I have seen and used these before in other parts of South East Asia, this one was different. It was a four-seater attached to a motorcycle, and hence different from the tuk-tuks of Thailand and Indonesia, which have a two-seater attached to a bicycle.

All shop attendants spoke in the same tone, a soft lilting one. “Hellooooooo ladyyy, one dollar!” was the phrase I had at least 20 times an hour, with some postcards or loose cotton pants being shoved in my face. There was absolutely no begging, even with the amount of poverty in the country, but kids used to gather around and try and sell things, saying “please buy so that we can go to school”. Which worked, because it broke my heart. Until my tuk-tuk driver told me that education was free in Cambodia up til grade 12. Grrr!

Though many people were killed during the war, post war population has increased. Our guide himself has eight siblings and had moved in to the city, staying with his uncle and funding his university studies in English Literature through his earnings as a guide. That itself impressed me – who’d have thought someone with a poverty-stricken background in a non-English speaking country is studying English Lit? I have so much respect for him. Of course Cambodia is a very unlucky country to have survived so many wars that destroyed their wonderful architecture, but they are slowly coming out of it. Tourism is the main thriving industry and they rightly deserve all the attention and hype over their temples. The carvings are gorgeous, the history even more so.

An old lady inside one of the temples we visited inspired me so much that I don’t think I’d ever forget her. She was so old and bent, but came in everyday, in the heat, to the same spot in the temple ruins, smiled her toothless grin, and tied a charm around the wrists of whoever cared to go to her to ward off evil spirits. She muttered a prayer under her breath, and then made a whooshing sound to get rid of my ‘negative aura’. I gave her a big hug. Her smile itself was worth the USD $1 we gave her. God bless her!

There’s one street in Siem Reap called Pub Street, which is near Old Market and the Night Market. These streets are absolutely filled with restaurants, bars and massage parlours (not the hidden meaning types – when I say ‘massage’ that’s exactly what I mean 😉 ). There were almost twelve Indian restaurants in Siem Reap alone. But surprisingly very very few restaurants had air conditioning, even though they were all in the ‘good’ category. In fact, we went into one restaurant simply because they had air-conditioning, which was advertised outside in large block letters.

PRO TIPS FOR A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

Plan at least 3-4 days in Siem Reap. Best combined with a trip to Vietnam or Laos.
Siem Reap is NOT a holiday destination for kids and the elderly (who have problems walking). I was amused to see a kid howling “I NEVER want to come here again” and the poor mum sweating it out.
Read a lot about the place’s history if you really want to enjoy the different temple sites. Otherwise one temple is as good as the others!
Massages were really cheap – a full body massage for one hour was USD $9 and a foot massage for one hour was USD $5. We got a foot massage done every night as the day involved a lot of walking.
Arrive early for the epic Angkor Wat sunrise: Sunrise and sunset are the absolute best times to visit Angkor Wat. The earlier you arrive, the better your chance of capturing photos without hordes of tourists. Bring a good flashlight for the dark paths.
Rent a Bicycle: While tuk-tuks are popular, renting a bicycle gives you more freedom to explore the temples at your own pace. It’s especially great for the smaller temples that are less crowded and off the beaten path.
Stay Near the Old Market: The area around Pub Street and the Old Market is convenient for food, shopping, and entertainment. It’s close to the action, but if you go a couple of streets off, you can still find quieter, more authentic spots.

RECOMMENDED 4-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1

Arrive in Siem Reap: Check into your hotel and get settled.
Explore the Old Market (Psar Chaa): Wander around the bustling market to shop for local handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs. It’s a great introduction to the city’s culture.
Pub Street & surrounding areas: Take a stroll around Pub Street for a vibrant and lively atmosphere. It's perfect for grabbing a meal and soaking in the local vibes
Apsara Dance Show: Enjoy a traditional Cambodian Apsara dance performance over dinner at one of the cultural restaurants

DAY 2

Angkor Wat Sunrise: Wake up early and head to Angkor Wat to witness the breathtaking sunrise. Arrive early to avoid the crowds and get a great view. Stop for breakfast near the temple.
Bayon Temple: Visit Angkor Thom and explore Bayon Temple, famous for its massive stone faces and detailed bas-reliefs.
Baphuon Temple & Phimeanakas: Continue exploring the Angkor Thom complex with these lesser-known temples.
Ta Prohm: Visit the iconic Ta Prohm temple, famous for its overgrown trees and roots that seem to swallow the stone structure.
You will likely be temple-ed out for now, but if you are up for it, return to Angkor Wat for a second visit to explore the inner galleries and famous bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
Night market in the evening: Wind down your day with a visit to the Siem Reap Night Market for souvenirs and local street food

DAY 3

Visit the Temple of Preah Khan: This less crowded temple offers a peaceful experience with sprawling grounds and unique architecture.
Neak Pean & Ta Som: Head to these smaller temples that offer a more tranquil, off-the-beaten-path experience.
Tonle Sap Lake – Floating Villages Tour: Take a boat tour to the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake to experience the unique way of life of the local people. It’s a great opportunity to witness rural Cambodian life.
Dinner at a Riverside Restaurant: After your floating village tour, enjoy a relaxing dinner at a riverside restaurant. Try traditional Khmer dishes and local seafood.

DAY 4

Relax at a Spa: After several days of exploring temples, treat yourself to a relaxing massage or spa treatment before you leave Cambodia. Siem Reap has some great spas that offer traditional Khmer massages.

Have you been to Cambodia? What were your impressions?