Siem Reap

A world-class museum presenting 1,000 years of Khmer civilization through 8 galleries of sculptures, bronzes, and ceremonial objects recovered from the Angkor temples. The "1,000 Buddhas" gallery and the multimedia Hall of the Universe are standout experiences that put the temple complex in full historical context.

📍968 Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Siem Reap 17252, Cambodia

The largest religious monument on earth - a 12th-century Khmer temple complex covering 402 acres that served as the state temple of the Khmer Empire. The bas-reliefs depicting the Mahabharata stretch for 800 meters; sunrise viewed from the reflecting pool is one of the most extraordinary moments in travel.

📍Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17252, Cambodia

The "Citadel of Women" - a 10th-century temple built of pink sandstone with the finest decorative carvings in all of Angkor. The intricate floral patterns and mythological scenes carved in shallow relief are astonishingly detailed; art historians consider them the high watermark of Khmer artistry.

📍25km north of Siem Reap, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia

The enigmatic face temple at the center of Angkor Thom - 216 colossal stone faces of the Bodhisattva smile enigmatically from 54 towers. The bas-reliefs on the lower levels depict everyday Khmer life in extraordinary detail, from market scenes to naval battles. Most atmospheric in early morning mist.

📍Angkor Thom, Siem Reap 17252, Cambodia

A sobering and essential museum founded by a former child soldier and deminer, documenting Cambodia's landmine crisis with thousands of deactivated mines on display. Akira's life story is extraordinary and the museum doubles as a shelter for children orphaned or injured by mines.

📍Road to Banteay Srei, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia

Not your average circus - Phare is a social enterprise that trains underprivileged Cambodian youth in performing arts. Every evening show combines acrobatics, dance, live music, and storytelling to narrate Cambodian history and contemporary life. One of the most memorable evenings in Southeast Asia.

📍Sok San Road, Siem Reap 17252, Cambodia

A hilltop temple offering the most famous sunset view over Angkor Wat and the surrounding forests. Phnom Bakheng is a 9th-century pyramid temple requiring a short climb and admittance is capped at 300 people at sunset - arrive early in dry season to secure a spot at the top.

📍Phnom Bakheng Hill, Angkor Park, Siem Reap 17252, Cambodia

A sprawling 12th-century temple complex built by Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and teaching hall. Less visited than Angkor Wat but equally impressive, with long colonnaded corridors, a Hall of Dancers with intricate apsara carvings, and jungle trees reclaiming the outer walls.

📍Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17252, Cambodia

The "Tomb Raider temple" - deliberately left unrestored with massive silk-cotton trees growing through the stone walls and roots engulfing entire galleries. Ta Prohm is the most atmospheric temple in Angkor, evoking the lost city rediscovered by French explorers in the jungle.

📍Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17252, Cambodia