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When you think of Asia, you probably think of the terraced rice fields of Vietnam, the riotous nightlife of Thailand, or perhaps the island-studded seas of Indonesia β who hasn’t dreamed of escaping to Bali for a long, romantic getaway ? weekend, right?
That all sounds great, but have you ever wondered about a lesser known Cambodia, right next to all this proven tourist hotspotsyet still shrouded in mystery?
Almost hosted 5 million visitors this yearA personal recordCambodia is quickly overtaking its peers in terms of popularity, and we’ll go a step further by claiming that this has to do with the fact that it is home to one of the most beautiful ancient cities on the continent:
Discover the cultural capital of Cambodia
Phnom Penh may be the administrative center, but if Cambodia were ever to be one cultural capital, which is Siem Reap, the second largest conurbation, with approximately 245,000 inhabitants, and a historically charged city that was originally settled in the year 802 AD.
That’s exactly 1,222 years of collected heritage for you, and if you like to admire ancient monuments, you can be sure that there is an abundance of them everywhere in Siem Reap β not to mention the vibrant street markets, beautiful riverside walk and lush nature.
This is a city that has seen the rise and fall of many a civilization, from the Siamese to the Khmer kingdoms, and even the French Empire, which controlled much of Cambodia in the first half of the 20th century: from medieval temples to French colonial palaces, you will find it all here.
Although the entire city is an open-air museum, The pride and joy of Siem Reap is Angkor Watthe former seat of the abolished Khmer kingdom from the 9th to 15th centuries, and a national monument so emblematic that it appears on the Cambodian flag.
Look it up.
If it’s good enough for UNESCO, it’s good enough for us
Vast, mysterious and full of intrigue, Angkor Wat is a UNESCO-listed temple complex with many intricate stone buildings, including the main temple of Angkor Wat, whose silhouette can be seen on the Cambodian flag.
It is the main reason why travelers from all over the world come to Cambodia, having registered a record 28% increase in the number of tourists this year, making it easy to get the most popular attraction in the Southeast Asian country, before beaches, resorts and city breaks.
However, Angkor Wat is not Siem Reap’s only ancient wonder: tourists have also set their eyes on nearby Bayon, distinguished by its 216 smiling stone faces, the partially overgrown Ta Prohm, with towers slowly being reclaimed by the jungle, and a pink sandstone Banteay Srei temple.
With so much amazing history, it’s no wonder the small-group sunrise tour takes place Angkor Watwith pick-up service from many locations in Siem Reap, is the best-selling activity in the area, costs just $16 to book per person.
Indigenous dance performances, food markets and breathtaking nature
@pisalguidefrancoangkor #angkor_wat_of_cambodia_π°πβ₯ #guideFrench Khmer classical dance APSARA #apsara β¬ See more
Other unique activities in Siem Reap include attending an Apsara dance showa display of classical Khmer dance, where performers perform mesmerizing movements while wearing colorful, elaborate traditional costumes.
For around $28.85, you can go shopping at the market with the help of an expert local and then take a cooking class, where you will be initiated into the ancient art of Khmer cooking, an intangible cultural highlight of Cambodia.
Go easy on the fish amok and the spring rolls! Save room for the bananas in palm sugar with coconut juice that come as dessert…
Last but not least: no trip to Asia is complete without it a little dose of adventureAnd for the thrill seekers among us, a hike to Kulen Mountain, where there are majestic waterfalls and more ancient ruins, and where the Siem Reap River originates, is a must-do.
How expensive is Siem Reap?
My friend, we completely understand why this question might have been in the back of your mind as you read this article.
Inflation and sky-high consumer prices have had a hard time all flying from us and across half the world to a certain country in Asia, no matter how beautiful it may be, can sound a bit too misleading given the current state of affairs.
If you’re wondering how expensive Siem Reap β and Cambodia as a whole β is to visit: we are happy to report that it is not expensive not at all.
Admittedly, it’s a bit tricky to get to, as there are no direct flights between America and Cambodia, and you’ll likely have a layover in another Asian or even a European or Middle Eastern country, depending on which coast you fly from, there come.
Once you are in Cambodia, the $3 mealsluxury double rooms in spa hotels for a negligible $45and one-hour massages for about ten dollars make it all worth it, trust us.
On average, tourists spend between $11 and $27 per day on food, $3.34 to $8.75 on local transportation, and an average of $32 to $102 per night on hotels. -range traveler being a bargain $647excluding flights.
Culture has never looked so good and affordable!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
