Siem Reap

The name Siem Reap basically means “Siam Defeated.“ Siem Reap hosts the famous Angkor Wat ruins. French explorer Henri Mouhot brought Angkor to the attention of the Western world in 1860. Today the site, including surrounding jungles, comprises 400 square kilometers of jungle with dozens of temple buildings. 

Siem Reap town lies 6 kilometers south of the ruins. Two highways intersect just north of Old Town. The north/south highway goes from Old Town up to the ruins. The east/west highway runs from the airport, about 10 kilometers to the west, to the jungles east of town. Gorgeous five-star hotels and resorts, with their spas, saunas, and massage rooms, line both sides of the east/west highway. All the resorts have been built in recent years. 

This once quaint village has become the largest boom town and construction site in Cambodia. It’s quite laid-back and a pleasant place to stay while touring the temples and a nice compromise between observing Cambodian life and enjoying the amenities of modern services and entertainment, thanks to a large expatriate community.