When you think of Asia, it’s probably the terraced paddies of Vietnam, the riotous party scene of Thailand, or maybe the island-dotted seas of Indonesia that come to mind––who doesn’t dream of escaping to Bali for a long, romantic weekend, right?
Those all sound great, but have you ever wondered about a lesser-known Cambodia, just next door to all these tried-and-true tourism hotspots, yet still shrouded in mystery?
Having hosted nearly 5 million visitors this year, a personal record, Cambodia is quickly catching up with its peers in popularity, and we’ll go out on a limb in asserting it’s to do with the fact it’s the home of one of the most beautiful ancient cities in the continent:
Discover The Cultural Capital Of Cambodia
Phnom Penh may be the administrative center, but if Cambodia ever had a cultural capital, that is Siem Reap, its second-largest conurbation, home to around 245,000 people, and a historically-charged city originally settled in the year 802 AD.
That’s exactly 1,222 years of accumulated heritage for you, and if you love marveling at ancient monuments, rest assured there’s a plethora of those scattered all around Siem Reap––not to mention vibrant street markets, a stunning riverside walk, and lush nature.
This is a city that has seen the rise and fall of many a civilization, from the Siamese to Khmer Kingdoms, and even the French Empire, which controlled much of Cambodia for the first half of the 20th century: from medieval temples to French-colonial palaces, you’ll find it all in here.
Though the entire town is an open-air museum, Siem Reap’s pride and joy is Angkor Wat, the former seat of the discontinued Khmer Kingdom from the 9th to 15th centuries, and a national monument so emblematic it features on the Cambodian flag.
Look it up.
If It’s Good Enough For UNESCO, It’s Good For Us
Vast, mysterious, and full of intrigue, Angkor Wat is a UNESCO-protected temple complex of many intricate stone-carve buildings, including the Main Temple of Angkor Wat, the silhouette of which you see displayed on the Cambodian flag.
It is the main reason travelers are flocking from all over the world to visit Cambodia, having recorded a 28% increase in tourist numbers this year, easily making it the most-popular attraction in the Southeast Asian country, ahead of beaches, resort zones and city breaks.
Angkor Wat is not Siem Reap’s only ancient marvel, though: tourists also have their eyes set 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 of Angkor Wat, with pickup available from many locations around Siem Reap, is the best-selling activity in the area, costing only $16 to book per person.
Native Dance Performances, Food Markets & Breathtaking Nature
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Other unique activities in Siem Reap include attending an Apsara Dance Show, a display of classical Khmer dance, with performers engaging in entrancing movements while wearing colorful, elaborate traditional costumes.
For around $28.85, you can go market shopping with the aid of a knowledgeable local and then attend a cooking class, where you’ll be initiated on the centuries-old art of Khmer cooking, an immaterial cultural highlight of Cambodia.
Go easy on the fish amok and the spring rolls! You’ll want to save room for the bananas in palm sugar with coconut juice that’s coming for dessert…
Last but not least, no trip to Asia is complete without a little dose of adventure, and for the thrill seekers amongst us, hiking up Kulen Mountain, where there are majestic waterfalls and more ancient ruins, and where the Siem Reap River originates from, is a must-do.
How Expensive Is Siem Reap?
My friend, we totally get it why this question might have been at the back of your mind reading through this article.
The inflation and skyrocketing consumer prices have been hard on all of us and flying halfway across the world to some country in Asia, as beautiful as it may be, can sound a bit too delusional with the current state of affairs.
If you’re wondering how expensive Siem Reap––and Cambodia as a whole––is to visit, we’re glad to report that it’s not expensive at all.
Granted, it’s a bit tricky to get to, as there are no nonstop flights between America and Cambodia, and you’re likely to have a stopover in another Asian or even a European or Middle Eastern country, depending on which coast you’re flying from, getting there.
Once you’re in Cambodia, the $3 meals, luxury double rooms in spa hotels for a negligible $45, and one-hour curbside massages for around ten bucks will make it all worthwhile, 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 $32 to $102-a-night on hotels, with the total cost of a one-week stay in Siem Reap as a mid-range traveler being an economical $647, excluding flights.
Culture has never looked this good or affordable!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, 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 within the post.