Few destinations blend ancient wonder and easy town charm like Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is the gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, home to hundreds of temples built by the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries — and Angkor Wat is the greatest of them all. Beyond the temples you will find a relaxed provincial town full of great food, cafes and markets at exceptional value. Here is the complete BLISS TRAVEL guide for 2026.
1. Sunrise at Angkor Wat
Arrive before dawn and join hundreds of travellers along the western moat of Angkor Wat as the sun rises behind the temple's iconic five lotus towers — one of the most famous sights in Southeast Asia, and worth every minute. Visit in the green season (roughly May to October) or on a quieter day with a 3-day pass to avoid the thickest crowds. Then go inside: the bas-reliefs in the outer gallery stretch for nearly 800 metres, depicting epic battles and the famous "Churning of the Sea of Milk."
2. Bayon and the faces of Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom is the vast fortified city built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century, and at its heart sits the Bayon — a temple mountain covered in more than 200 gigantic carved stone faces. Visit at either sunrise or sunset when soft light brings every serene smile to life. Don't miss the Terrace of the Elephants along the city wall and the South Gate, one of the five face towers guarding the entrances.
3. Ta Prohm — the jungle temple
Entwined by enormous strangler-fig roots and left largely as it was found (and made famous by Tomb Raider), Ta Prohm is the most atmospheric temple in the park. Go early and you can have long stretches of its jungle walkways almost to yourself. Pair it with Banteay Srei, a pink-sandstone temple with the finest carvings in all of Angkor, about 50 minutes north by car.
Angkor passes and getting around (2026)
The Angkor Pass is sold at the official ticket office: US$37 for 1 day, US$62 for 3 days (valid within 10 days), and US$72 for 7 days. Bring cash and your passport photo; the pass carries your photo and must be bought in person. In town, a tuktuk costs around US$18–25 per day within the main temple circuits; private cars with an English-speaking guide run roughly US$35–50 per day for the small circuit, more for Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea or the Tonle Sap floating villages. Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) receives daily flights from Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong.
What to eat: Amok and beyond
Cambodia's signature dish is amok — fish steamed in coconut curry inside a banana leaf, about US$4–7 around the Old Market and Pub Street area. Try Charcoal Dining for refined Khmer barbecue, Haven, a training restaurant for young adults from rural areas (mains US$6–10), and Marum, a social-enterprise restaurant with mains around US$7–12. For something special, Cuisine Wat Damnak near Wat Damnak pagoda serves a modern Cambodian tasting menu at roughly US$38–55 per person — book well ahead.
Where to stay in 2026 (real hotels, indicative prices)
Indicative nightly rates for a double room — cheaper in the green season, higher during the November-February peak:
- Shinta Mani Angkor — a stylish Bill Bensley-designed boutique hotel with a pool and the excellent Kroya restaurant; around US$125–275 per night.
- Park Hyatt Siem Reap — a restored colonial-era garden palace beside the river, calm and elegant; roughly US$250–350 per night.
- FCC Angkor by Avani — a former French consulate with a riverside pool bar; around US$100–160 per night.
- Treeline Urban Resort — modern eco-designed rooms on Wat Bo Road; around US$90–140 per night.
- Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel — friendly value pick with a pool; around US$35–60 per night.
Practical tips
Start early — temples open at 5:00 am — for cooler air and thinner crowds. Carry US dollars, which are accepted everywhere in Siem Reap, and keep small Cambodian riel notes for change (US$1 is about 4,100 riel). Dress modestly inside the temples (shoulders and knees covered) and drink plenty of water. Three to four nights is the sweet spot to cover the small circuit, the Grand Circuit, Banteay Srei and a Tonle Sap trip.
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Frequently asked questions
Best time to visit Angkor Wat sunrise to avoid crowds?
Visit during the green season, roughly May to October, or on a quieter day with a 3-day pass to avoid the thickest crowds. This makes the sunrise experience along the western moat more enjoyable.
What are the must-see temples in Angkor besides Angkor Wat?
Beyond Angkor Wat, the Bayon in Angkor Thom is famous for its more than 200 gigantic carved stone faces. Ta Prohm, entwined by strangler-fig roots, is considered the most atmospheric jungle temple.
Which temple has the finest carvings in Angkor?
Banteay Srei is a pink-sandstone temple known for having the finest carvings in all of Angkor. It is located about 50 miles from the main park and is a popular pairing with Ta Prohm.
What is inside the Bayon temple?
The Bayon sits at the heart of the fortified city of Angkor Thom and is covered in more than 200 gigantic carved stone faces. You can also visit the Terrace of the Elephants and the South Gate along the city wall.