[ Opposite ] Sunrise is magic hour as the three towering spires of the Angkor Wat temple appear to slice through the rising sun . [ Above ] The ‘ remorque ’, a motorised rickshaw , is the most popular way of getting around in Siem Reap . [ Below ] A view of the compact riverside town centre .
We arrived in Siem Reap from neighbouring Thailand after deciding to make it a super easy add-on for our SE Asian adventures . A flight of under an hour from bustling Bangkok delivered us to the sleepy arrivals hall of Siem Reap International Airport and straight into a waiting motorbike rickshaw transfer to our hotel in the city centre . Suitcases strapped on , wind in our hair , it ’ s an exhilarating introduction to the city , which , we soon realised , is pretty easy to get around — Siem Reap is relatively small , with most of the main attractions within easy reach , and these local remorques ( Cambodian tuk-tuks ) are the affordable ( sometimes hair-raising , in the best way !) transport of choice for locals and tourists alike .
Of course , visiting the renowned Angkor Archaeological Park is essential for anyone visiting Siem Reap . But there ’ s so much more to this little Cambodian city than meets the eye . Fascinating history , superb food , contemporary arts and culture , and plenty of pampering and adventure make for an enchanting mix for first-time visitors , as we discovered on a four-day short break adventure .
AWESOME ANGKOR
Cambodia was once the home of the Khmer kingdom , the most powerful state in Southeast Asia , lasting from 802 to 1431 ( and at its peak covering much of what today is Cambodia , Thailand , Laos , and southern Vietnam ). Naturally , the country dazzles history buffs with its timeless architectural treasures , none as breathtaking as the Angkor Archeological Park or as grand as Angkor Wat .
Considered the heart of Cambodia , few archeological sites in the world can compare to the majesty and sheer innovation of Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples , once hidden under the jungle for centuries .
The name Angkor Wat translates to City of Temples ; visitors may be surprised to discover that it is , in fact , not just one complex but rather multiple sites — magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire , from the 9th to the 15th century — spread over an area of some 400 square kilometres to make up the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park .
Temples including Angkor Wat , Bayon , Preah Khan and Ta Prohm , exemplars of Khmer architecture , testify to an exceptional civilisation . The scale is vast and overwhelming without a good local guide , but , lucky for us , I found one of the city ’ s best ! We liaised with our local guide Nguon Sominea , who goes by the nickname Lux , for a private Angkor Wat Temple day trip , starting with an early pickup from our hotel , well ahead of other tour groups so we could ( try to !) be some of the first on-site for that
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