visiting siem reap, cambodia - gateway to angkor - itinerary inspiration from...

Siem Reap literally means “Defeat of Siam”

According to a legend, King Ang Chan (1516-1566) implemented the name “Siem Reap” due to a victory over a Siamese invasion of 10.000 troops. By that time Cambodia already tried to gain independence from Siam (Thailand).

Eventually Thailand defeated Cambodia and reigned over north west Cambodia from 1794 to 1907

Siem Reap started blooming for the first time during the Golden 1920’s when the legendary Grand Hotel d’Angkor was built.

High-profile guests like Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Kennedy started visiting the

city and Angkor Wat.

Fast forward 2014, Siem Reap has turned into a bustling city with plenty of hotels and restaurants and transformed the city into

the heartbeat of Cambodia’s tourism

Angkor National Museum – 08:30

Visiting the Angkor National Museum prior to visiting the legendary Angkor Wat will give you a better understanding

about the Khmer Empire and enhances your knowledge when visiting it.

The museum is conveniently

located en route to Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat – 11:00

Cambodia’s most visited monument awaits you – and surely will take your breath away!

Even the Cambodian national flag features it.

Indulge inKhmer food - 13:00

Khmer food is as colourful and diverse as from its neighbouring countries, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

Popular dishes include:Fish amok (fish mousse with fresh coconutmilk and curry paste)Nom Banh Chok (Khmer noodles)Lap Khmer (beef salad)

Kompong Khleang Floating Village – 15:00

It’s a unique experience to see how Cambodians live outside cities like Phnom Penh

or Siem Reap.

Surrounded by mangrove forests, the area is a cluster of three villages with about 3000 citizens and houses

situated on stilts.

Watch a traditional Apsara Dance –

20:00

Apsara is the traditional Khmer ballet of Cambodia

Performances are held in hotels and restaurants, but on special occasions and important days such as the Khmer New Year,

Apsara dancers performing even in front of Angkor Wat

Slide 1 - Prière des Apsaras (Siem Reap) via Flickr by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra : http://bit.ly/1p9NabUSlide 2 - Monks Queuing via Flickr by Balint Foldesi : http://bit.ly/1pcHeSbSide 3 - Banyon via Flickr by Kung Bernard : http://bit.ly/1tYx4pKSlide 4 - The Banyon via Flickr by Kung Bernard : http://bit.ly/1lv9GuCSlide 5 - Grand hotel D’angkor via Flickr by Michael Coghlan : http://bit.ly/1kTSoHESlide 6 - Charlie Chaplin via Flickr by Jean-françois Richard : http://bit.ly/Uv9bte Angkor Wat entrance via Flickr by Kim Seng : http://bit.ly/1rxNnuaSlide 7 - Angkor Wat via Flickr by Ethan Crowley : http://bit.ly/1mIJIU3Slide 8 - Independence Monument via Flickr by Richard Hopkins : http://bit.ly/1lzlEn4Slide 9 - National Museum via Flickr by Pigalle : http://bit.ly/1sRuEeMSlide 10 - Angkor National Museum via Flickr by Flip Nomad : http://bit.ly/1rNGRhYSlide 11 - The map by Angkor National Museum : http://www.angkornationalmuseum.com/Slide 12 - Angkor Wat via Flickr by Kim seng : http://bit.ly/1nU9dSPSlide 13 - Angkor Wat via Flickr by Ariel Atega : http://bit.ly/1A6cWpYSlide 14 - Cambodian Flag via pixabay by OpenClips : http://bit.ly/1nULpOB The Bayon via flickr by Mike Behnken : http://bit.ly/1nUdMfMSlide 15 - Angkor Wat via Flickr By Akshay Mahajan : http://bit.ly/1kWQLsMSlide 16 - Khmer food via Flickr by Tara Angkor hotel : http://bit.ly/WFMtk1Slide 17 - Khmer food via Flickr by Janne Hellsten : http://bit.ly/1kYcRejSlide 18 - Khmer food via Flickr by Tara angkor hotel : http://bit.ly/1rP26jzSlide 19 - Long Boat via Flickr by Kim Seng : http://bit.ly/1qzRzeLSlide 20 - Vietnamese girl via Flickr by Daniel Chodusov : http://bit.ly/WJQO5BSlide 21 - Floating village via Flickr by Axel Drainville : http://bit.ly/UvlBBkSlide 22 - Floating village via Flickr by Dennis Jarvis : http://bit.ly/WJNRlySlide 23 - Apsara dance via Flickr by Jerry Dohnal : http://bit.ly/1rxwT5cSlide 24- Apsara Dance via Flickr by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra : http://bit.ly/UuYA1sSlide 25 - Apsara dance via Flickr by Trey Ratcliff : http://bit.ly/1jWR2R7 Slide 26 - Apsara dance via Flickr by Akshay Mahajan : http://bit.ly/1mIlZ6nSlide 27 - Angkor Wat via Flickr by Trey Ratcliff : http://bit.ly/1sW9OuZSlide 28- Siem Reap reflection via Flickr by Chi King : http://bit.ly/1nTCv3

Photo Sources:

Find out more about the incredible Buddhist sites of Cambodia and

other SE Asian countries at:http://architectureofbuddhism.com