See below for:
– Angkor Temples and Siem Reap:  local guides, places to Stay and to Eat
– Dance and projects helping Cambodia
– Links for Battambang

Click Here for:
– Phnom Penh:
– Performing Arts Revival, Places to Stay and Eat
– Cambodian Crafts – Fair Trade and Artisans with different abilities
– Kampot

Angkor
The Khmer Empire, influenced by both Hinduism and Buddhism, flourished between 9th-15th centuries, spanned half of Southeast Asia and gave birth to some of the world’s richest works of art.

Angkor Wat is the masterpiece of King Suryavarman II. Built in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat was dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Surrounded by a moat representing the cosmic ocean, the central tower of Angkor Wat symbolizes the mythical Mt. Meru and was the funerary chamber of King Suryavarman II.

The stunning and extensive reliefs tell tales of the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics including the Churning of the Ocean to obtain amrita-the milk of eternity- out of which celestial Apsaras were born becoming dancers of the royal court.

Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple:
Built by Jayavarman VII- the greatest of the Angkor god-kings during late 12th century when Angkor was at its peak. Jayavarman VII had successfully defeated the invading Chams of present day Vietnam, proclaimed Mahayana Buddhism as the state religion and provided great infrastructure for his people including the construction of 102 hospitals.

The Bayon Temple is unique for its 54 towers each with four faces depicted as guardians of the cardinal points and the four immeasurable qualities:
compassion, loving kindness, empathy, equanimity.
It is also said these faces symbolize Jayavarman VII as Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion.
These faces which have survived the centuries truly lay testimony to being witness to all Cambodia and humankind has gone through in the past and present.

Beyond Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom are over one hundred other ancient sites to visit. But if your time in Siem Reap is only for a few days, below is a suggested itinerary allowing the main sites to be taken in.
You simply cannot avoid crowds  at Angkor Wat these days, but a special time to visit Angkor Wat is for sunrise. While many return to their hotels for breakfast, it is worthwhile to take along a picnic breakfast- enjoy a coffee from the local vendors and then proceed to explore the temple site directly after sunrise before the main crowds arrive again.

Angkor Temple Passes available for Day Visit,  3- day Pass or for One- Week.

Suggested Itinerary for a 3-day pass:

Day 1:  Sunrise Angkor Wat and afternoon Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Terrace of the Elephant Kings and do a quiet walk to a peaceful little temple of Preah Palilay.

Day 2:  Morning visit Tonle Sap Lake and the floating village. After a day of walking, it is nice to just sit in a boat and let life come to you.  Getting the boat at Mey Chrey is the less commercial lake experience.
Afternoon visit Ta Phrom, known as the Jungle Temple also built by Jayavarman VII.

Day 3:  Early morning set off to Banteay Srei- approx 45 min drive from Siem Reap to this exquisite 10th century temple in pink sandstone.  Then option to continue on to Kbal Spean – a hike into a forest and to the River of Linggas.

Another important main temple to take in if time permits and which may get less crowds is:
Preah Khan– also built by Jayavarman VII, this complex is been restored with the help of
World’s Monument Fund.

Suggested Smaller temples to explore within the Angkor archeological zone include:
Neak Pean, Pre Rup and Ta Som.
The Rolous Group dates back to early Angkor period.

Further Beyond the Angkor archeological zone are the more hidden temples to explore such as
Beng Mela, Bantaey Chhmar and Preah Vihear.

The NEW Siem Reap International Airport ( SAI ) is located 50km to the east of Siem Reap.

Accommodations Siem Reap:

You can’t help but notice the many big hotels that have mushroomed around Siem Reap- especially along the Old Airport road. The area around the Old Market is filled with small hotels and guesthouses.

Canby Publications publishes free local guide booklets found at most hotels and restaurants around Siem Reap.  Click below for online maps and listings:
http://www.canbypublications.com/angkor-cambodia/angkor-temple-guide.htm

A long time established hotel not far from Old Market and nicely refurbished:

Viroth’s Hotel:  https://www.viroth-hotel.com/

Local Guide in Siem Reap:

Sopheara
a wonderful licensed national guide. Sopheara can assist with arrangements by private car or by tuk tuk to explore Angkor and beyond. He knows all the hidden sites as well.

Email:  guidesopheara@gmail.com

Mobile/Whats App:  +855- 12-979-141

or contact :
Affinity Angkor Bespoke Tours:
https://www.affinityangkor.com/

Places to Eat:
Behind the Old Market is a pedestrian alley lined with eateries serving all cuisines. It’s a lively area to explore.  Khmer Kitchen was one of the original family places and still serves great Khmer food.

Sala Bai Hospitality School and Restaurant:
a wonderful school giving opportunity to so many underpriveleged youth.
Open for lunch only.  There are also four guest accomodations at very reasonable rates supporting the school:  https://www.salabai.com
Closed during school breaks.

Peace Cafe:
Vegetarian Garden Cafe and community centre networking to good causes in Cambodia.
www.peacecafeangkor.org

Dance:

Phare Ponleu Selpak –  a Cambodian Cirque de Soleil!   Circus with a Purpose
This vibrant group started in Battambang with youth expressing and healing themselves through the arts. Now grown into a wonderful school – Amazing to see one of their performances in Siem Reap:  https://pharecircus.org/

Other Places to Visit and Support:

Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. During the rainy season, the Mekong reverses flow expanding the lake five times the size. Tonle Sap provides a major livelihood for fishing communities in Cambodia.

Angkor Hospital for Children – training Cambodian doctors- Healing Children, Healing Cambodia.  Founded by photographer Kenro Izu and Friends without a Border:    https://www.fwab.org/
The Visitors Center has a beautiful photo gallery supporting the hospital:
https://angkorhospital.org/

Cambodia Landmine Museum–  Educating for a Landmine-Free World!
Learn more about the story of Aki Ra who disarmed so many landmines on his own.
Located on the way to Banteay Srei temple:
https://www.cambodialandminemuseum.org/

Child Safe Network protecting children from abuse:  https://thinkchildsafe.org/about-us/

Crafts:

Artisans d’Angkor:   beautiful craft work which grown so much since its beginnings.
Have a tour of the Angkor Silk Farm. Visit their workshop in town not far from the Old Market area producing wood and stone carvings and beautiful laquerware.
More on:    https://artisansangkor.com/

Senteurs d’Angkor:  Supporting Cambodian Handicraft since 1999.
https://senteursdangkor.com/

Battambang:

If venturing here a few hours drive from Siem Reap:

Maisons Wat Kor-  Boutique Hotel in the heart of a Khmer Village”

https://maisonswatkor.com/

Phare Ponleu Selpak–  the Khmer Cirque de Soleil-  Changing Lives through the Arts
https://phareps.org/

For Links to:  Phnom Penh and Kampot:   CLICK HERE