1. Angkor Archaelogical Park Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples are the reason why people came to Siem Reap. Road to Angkor is a great discovery: the dawn, the Angkor Wat temple, the ruins, the ancient trees and sprawling roots at Ta Prohm, the Buddhist monks, and the lovely Cambodian people.
2. Psar Chaa - Old Market The Old Market in Siem Reap is bustling with energy and activities with sourvenir stores, wet market, pubs, bars, and westernized-looking restaurants catering to backpackers and tourists alike. Go there early in the morning and check out the wet produce market to get a true sense of local lives. There are fresh vegetables, meats, and various foods on display. If you are gutsy enough, try out one of those black dried roaches. Other than that, you can find precious stones, buddha heads, and local Cambodian arts and crafts for sale at the sourvenir stores. Expect to haggle for the best price.
<3. The French Quarter Walking Tour Take a stroll along the river near the French Quarter and soak in the lush green surroundings and tree-lined boulevards. Sit on one of the benches along the river and observe the hustle and bustle on the bridge crossing the river. If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of happy locals fishing in the river. Best spot to start your walking tour is right across the FCC Angkor Hotel.
4. The FCC Angkor Bar After a day's walking and sightseeing at Angkor Archaeological Park, unwind at The FCC Angkor Bar. Happy Hour is from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Start out with one of their refreshing fruit smoothies and take in their free roasted peanuts and cashew nuts that are hot off the wok! While you are at FCC Angkor, check out the hotel and also the adjoining McDermott Gallery.
5. Dinner at Shinta Mani The restaurant at Shinta Mani has been featured in Gourmet Magazines article "World's Best Hotel Dining Rooms" in May 2004 and offers elegant indoor dining and casual yet upscale terrace dining. The restaurant offers both Khmer and Fusion style cuisine prepared by local students selected selected by the Institute of Hospitality. Junction of Oum Khum and 14th Street; for reservation, call (855) 63 761 998.
6. Apsara Dance Performance A traditional apsara dance show is an absolute must for the visitor to Cambodia. Apsara Theatre (Angkor Village) has two performances nightly: 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
7. Lounging at The Arts Lounge at Hotel de la Paix The newest boutique hotel at Siem Reap is the happening place at the moment. With its modern decor, this is the place to lounge about at night. Frequented by expatriates living in Siem Reap, the lounge by "celebrity bartenders" from all over the world. Open 24 hours per day! Hotel de la Paix, Sivutha Boulevard.
8. Aki Ra's Landmine Museum Tucked deep inside a village in Siem Reap, the Aki Ra's Landmine Museum is hard to get to, but you shouldn't miss it. Aalso the home of the Akira Mine Action Gallery, the musuem houses an amazing collection of defused landmines and unexploded ordnance that Aki Ra has amassed over the years. Through the displays and artifact, you a real sense of what Cambodia and its people had been through.
9. The floating village of Chong Kneas Chong Kneas is one of the many floating villages dotting the shore of the great Tonle Sap Lake. Despite increasing tourist traffic, this village is still a good place to visit if you don't want to venture too far away from Siem Reap. Though the majority of the people here are Vietnamese, a quick boat trip around the villages gives you an idea how these floating villagers live their lives.
10. Get Pampered at the Amansara Spa Last but not least, travel to Siem Reap is incomplete without uber pampering at The Amansara Spa. Complete with private treatment and relaxation rooms and a 25m-lap pool, this new Spa offers baths, showers, a sound system, and treatments making use of natural products and traditional Cambodian techniques. The three single treatment rooms each come with a private relaxation room backed by glass walls overlooking the reflection pond. For couples, ask for the double treatment rooms with private relaxation room.
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