Siem Reap Province
Situated in the northwestern part of Cambodia, the Siem Reap Province is the cradle of Angkorean civilization and is one of the most attractive landmarks of Cambodia in terms of cultural tourism in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, it is home to natural resources and biodiversity.
This potential province can be accessed all year round by the National Road No. 5 and No. 6 within 396 km from Phnom Penh through Kandal, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang and Banteay Meanchey provinces. It can also be reached by the National Road No. 6 within 314 km from Phnom Penh through Kandal, Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom provinces, or by the National Road No. 6 within 152 km from Poipèt International Border Checkpoint (in Banteay Meanchey Province). It is accessible on the 16-20 direct flights daily from many major cities including Bangkok, Beijing,Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Paksé, Vientiane, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kunming,Shanghai, Taipei, Yangoon, etc. It can also be reached on domestic flights from Phnom Penh or from Preah Sihanouk Province by the Cambodia Angkor Air “the National Flag Carrier”. Instead, it can be reached from Phnom Penh by hydrofoil along the Tonlé Sap and its lake between September and February or from Battambang by boat across the Tonlé Sap Lake all year round.
Siem Reap proudly boasts 292 temples, of which two hundred monumental temples stretch over an Angkor area of 401 sq km. The sacred temples, which some were dedicated to Hinduism and which some were consecrated to Buddhism, were built between the early ninth century and the early thirteenth century by Khmer kings including the great King Jayavarman VII during the golden Angkor era when the Khmer Empire dominated most of present Southeast Asia from 802 to 1430 AD. Of all these temples, Angkor Wat is the largest famous ancient temple of Cambodia, Heritage of Humanity and World Wonder, symbolically representing the Khmer human soul, artwork, great civilization, national identity, and political power.
When reaching Siem Reap, please do not forget to visit the most popular temples, such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, Ta Keo, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Prè Roup, East Mebon, Kravann, Preah Khan, Neak Poan, Ta Saom, Banteay Srei, Roluos Group, etc. Apart from the ancient cultural heritage, you can also visit Phnom Kulèn Waterfall, Prèk Toal Bird Sanctuary, Artisans d’Angkor, stone carving villages, fishing villages, crocodile farms, Tonlé Sap Lake, etc.
Angkor Temple, Heritage of Humanity and World Wonder
(Declared by UNESCO on 14 December 1992)
Angkor Wat is one of the best-preserved religious temples, in a beautiful position amid the forest, and one of the world’s largest religious buildings. Furthermore, this temple has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag.
Location: Six kilometers (four miles) north of Siem Reap Town; south of Angkor Thom
Access: Enter and leave Angkor Wat from the west
Date: the first half of the 12th century (1113-1150)
King: Suryavarman II
Religion: Hindu (dedicated to Vishnu)
Art Style: Angkor Wat