Siem Reap worth it?

[Plern]

10 minutes ago, Red Phoenix said:

Thai people will hate me for saying it, but Phanom Rung - nice as it is (been there twice) - is just a small not very well-maintained temple compared with the splendor of the Angkor Wat temple complex.

It's probably maintained better it just didn't wear better. Angkor is a splendor all its own and very unique especially as it faces west. Many of the temples are very unique. Most temples in the SRP complex built under Jayavarman 7 I recall.

[Plern]

2 hours ago, bignok said:

Phanom Rung.

Despite the temple being absolutely classic Khmer architecture and it is nice... It's not much imo compared to most of the temples in the Angkor complex. Your plan is back asxwards.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phanom_Rung_Historical_Park

Edited May 20, 2023 by Plern

[3NUMBAS]

ive seen it on numerous tv docos and doesnt seem worth the  effort to go there 

[xxeo]

Yes, do it. A fascinating place.

I was in Siem Reap again in July 2022. Not many tourists, primarily people from Cambodia. The one-day-ticket was valid the day after, too.

[Mansell]

I was leaving the country in two days. Some Brit said you want to go the Wat tomorrow early….so on a whim I said okay. I found it fascinating that it had all been overgrown for centuries and some priest stumbled across the place.

Some of the wats were amazing with incredibly steep steps etc. Loved the way the jungle had taken possession of this quite amazing place. 
Most places like this leave me cold. But Ankhor Wat is truly a one of a kind, with some exquisitely fine details. One day was enough for me. But I left the country better for experiencing this historic place.

[VBF]

20 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yeah same here, I've been templed out for a long time, much prefer doing other things. I went to Russia once on a cultural visit to churches, palaces, galleries, exhibitions, trip only got good when i started chasing skirt

I thought similar but when I visited AW I was knocked out. If you only go once GO! It's one of those few places that (IMO!) are worth putting up with lots of tourists just to experience. 

When i went with a former TGF, we got up at 4AM to try and catch the sunrise, but sadly it was overcast. The weather brightened up, so decided to stay and try to see the sunset - guess what, it clouded over and rained!

And still...it was a memorable day.

[bignok]

1 hour ago, Iron Tongue said:

If you've never been to Angkor Wat or the Bayon, you have to see them at least once, otherwise, what's the point of living in SE Asia?

If you don't think they're worth seeing... that's just sad.

My best trips involved low key things plus food and people.

[BritManToo]

Lots of stuff to see in SEA. 

N. Vietnam amazing. 

Zhangjiajie also amazing. 

 

10,000 tourists at AW..., no thanks.

[bignok]

41 minutes ago, Plern said:

Despite the temple being absolutely classic Khmer architecture and it is nice... It's not much imo compared to most of the temples in the Angkor complex. Your plan is back asxwards.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phanom_Rung_Historical_Park

Happy for you to fund the trip.

[scubascuba3]

Much more interesting is a trip to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge story, I'd definitely recommend that from PP

Edited May 20, 2023 by scubascuba3

[PeterA]

I went about 6 years ago. Loved it. I hired the tuk tuk driver who hung out at the hotel for three days. I think he asked $20 a day for three days.

He would meet me at the hotel at 7 am, and I had him take me to the temples. He was available all day. He would park and wait while I was sight-seeing.

In town, the restaurants would only take USD, and it had to be crisp unfolded. It got so nuts I verified my money was usable BEFORE I ate.  If you eat at the hotels, it is normal to put it on the bill or pay cash, and not such a requirement to have perfect money. Same with the shops, dollars preferred if big ticket items.

I spent 3 days, and went to the smaller temples first and had them mostly all to myself. There are 8 or 9 very cool ones in the complex. Outside the complex there are 20 or more that are un-restored and very cool. The main building is busy all day, and sunsets there are fair, nothing to "must-see", though a few thousand were at the big building at sunset.

[zzzzz]

first visited in 2006, last in 2018>
YES, its worth going, its amazing but you need at least 3 days
and suggest you visit the Museum in town before you head out

Go at 5 am for the sunrise at Angkor wat and explore till 11 or so, head back to town and return at 3 -4pm for a wander around till the sunset.
Well worth it.

Grab the Book "Ancient Angkor" from one of the kids selling them
head now before the chinese invade again an ruin the experience 
https://phuket.zenfolio.com/p579763618

if you go around 5pm u can buy ur ticket an it wont start till the next day, so you get a sunset for free

While in SR head out to the Tonle sap lake and visit Kampong Phluk

https://phuket.zenfolio.com/p552344657

A day spent wander around town and the market is nice as well

 

From 2008 onwards always drove around in my thai plated car and saved admission price as they used to only require a ticket if you entered a complex , not if you stayed on the road ( sunrise, sunsets)

ticket price might sound expensive but its a must see

Side note:
moved over to Kep in 2021 and built a house there,  Must admit the construction 10 centuries ago was much better   ????
khmers nowadays are terrible craftsmen

 

Edited May 20, 2023 by zzzzz

[NoDisplayName]

If you want Siem Reap temples without the tourists, you could try Banteay Chmar, on Hwy 56 about 50km north of Sisophon.  Main temple complex with 8 smaller satellite temples.  Multiple day entry fee is $5.  Homestay in the village.

 

I stayed two nights.  Over 2-1/2 days saw a total of two (Japanese) tourists.

Quiet and relaxed.  No bothersome vendors clogging the temples.

 

 

https://www.visitbanteaychhmar.org/homestays/

Edited May 20, 2023 by NoDisplayName

[Sticky Rice Balls]

22 hours ago, LaosLover said:

3 days does it unless you're Indiana Jones

How many days if you're Alan Quartermaine? ????

[josephbloggs]

21 hours ago, JimTripper said:

Personally I would avoid any type of guide or tour. They take you on the same well worn path. Pretty much BS imo. It was all about finding secluded temples and being alone that was unforgettable for me. People differ.

I disagree, but I guess it depends on the tour guide. We hired a guide and it was so rewarding - he took us off the beaten track, he had impeccable knowledge (he had studied it all his life), he could even read the inscriptions and tell us what they meant. Without that we just have been looking at (amazing) ruined buildings, but with the guide we knew how they were constructed, when, how, what used to happen there, what they would have looked like in their prime, fascinating. But yes, I imagine there are some guides who don't have that knowledge so it is potluck.

We also took a helicopter tour and took him with us as he had never been on a helicopter or seen AW from the air - that was priceless as 1) he was very scared, and 2) his beaming smile upon getting up there and seeing it in a new perspective was amazing.

[kennw]

22 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Probably my lack of cultural interest, but I thought the Wat was boring after 20 minutes.  Like most temples or cathedral,  just seems to be repetitive. 

 

Siem Reap has other interesting things to do the best time I had was renting an ATV and cruising off road.

Pub street, cheap massage, good food and some ladies there to date if you are single.

 

3 days there is about right, but a 3 day Wat pass seems like a waste.

Sounds like you should have just saved you money and gone to Soi Cowboy

[sidneybear]

I quite liked Siem Reap. Like most Cambo towns it's a bit chaotic and grotty in places, but it has a nice vibe and some quaint restaurants and bars. Incredibly cheap beer too.

 

Angkor Wat is beautiful too, if you like old temples.

 

Edited May 20, 2023 by sidneybear

[Denim]

23 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

You mean like this?

 

 

 

 

And this :

 

 

As a kid I wanted to go to Angkor because I found an outsized book in our local library with huge black and white photos. Looked spellbinding. Now not really interested . The tourists have killed off the mystique and magic.

The irony is that a lot of people that go there have no real interest in old buildings, architecture or history but go because it is so famous and to get the selfies.

 

While changing secondhand books once in Khao Sahn Road I overheard a conversation between gap year backpackers. Something like this :

 

' Oh , if you are going to Cambodia , you have to go to Angkor. Totally awesome."

 Yea , we've already done Borabadur and Ayudhaya so won't miss Angkor.  '

 

Just ticking off the boxes.

 

 

[LaosLover]

60's film fans should check out Lord Jim, which has a battle scene inside of Angor Wat.

 

They had to build a hotel for the actors. Peter O'Toole says it was the worst experience of his life. It's a bit slow moving, as was typical for such prestige projects, so maybe just Youtube up the Angor Wat parts.

 

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=angkor+wat+lord+jim&tbm=vid&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjT9NuB0IP_AhUyRTABHY9AB6kQ0pQJegQIBxAB&biw=1440&bih=820&dpr=2#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:c192fd17,vid:5TPxyVmt2Rw

 

[bignok]

52 minutes ago, Denim said:

And this :

 

 

As a kid I wanted to go to Angkor because I found an outsized book in our local library with huge black and white photos. Looked spellbinding. Now not really interested . The tourists have killed off the mystique and magic.

The irony is that a lot of people that go there have no real interest in old buildings, architecture or history but go because it is so famous and to get the selfies.

 

While changing secondhand books once in Khao Sahn Road I overheard a conversation between gap year backpackers. Something like this :

 

' Oh , if you are going to Cambodia , you have to go to Angkor. Totally awesome."

 Yea , we've already done Borabadur and Ayudhaya so won't miss Angkor.  '

 

Just ticking off the boxes.

 

 

Yes no imagination. In Phattalung we found 2 temples with great caves. No fees, no tourists. In Krabi we found a great temple 50 mins north from Ao Nang, great temple, great views. About 5 people there.

 

 

[geisha]

5 hours ago, bignok said:

Think we skip it. Doing Phanom Rung. Will review it. Much cheaper, no flights, no visa, cheap entry.

No comparison !! Angkor is fabulous and fairy tale. Of course if these things don’t interest you , don’t go. If you do go anywhere, wear a hat and carry water. It’s very hot. I enjoyed having a private car driving me around, did the river Tonle Sap ( interesting facts) trip, visited Angkor at sunset, great photos , sunrise, and daytime. Didn’t spend all day there . Had great hotel with pool and good restaurants. Lovely people.

[scubascuba3]

58 minutes ago, Denim said:

we've already done Borabadur and Ayudhaya so won't miss Angkor.  '

 

Just ticking off the boxes.

 

 

Yeah i was doing Borabadur, was getting bored, walked round a corner and noticed they were making a porn movie, things started looking up

[bignok]

3 minutes ago, geisha said:

No comparison !! Angkor is fabulous and fairy tale. Of course if these things don’t interest you , don’t go. If you do go anywhere, wear a hat and carry water. It’s very hot. I enjoyed having a private car driving me around, did the river Tonle Sap ( interesting facts) trip, visited Angkor at sunset, great photos , sunrise, and daytime. Didn’t spend all day there . Had great hotel with pool and good restaurants. Lovely people.

Hat and water? Yes Thailand is hot too.

[connda]

On 5/19/2023 at 4:48 PM, BritManToo said:

Been to SR many times, never paid $50 for the 1 day entry fee.

Spent my money on 50c beers and $1 cocktails instead.

Did cycle around the outside though.

BM2 - you're always an inspiration on how to enjoy life off the beaten track.    My guess is that you can find some really cool places that tourist completely miss while enjoying a exercise and alcohol buzz. 

[geisha]

36 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yeah i was doing Borabadur, was getting bored, walked round a corner and noticed they were making a porn movie, things started looking up

 Borabadur is another fabulous temple. Loved it. Very different to all others I’ve seen. Not very well known. 

[LaosLover]

1 hour ago, bignok said:

Yes no imagination. In Phattalung we found 2 temples with great caves. 

 

 

"No, no, I don't want to visit The Louvre. Don't they have old paintings in churches for free? Isn't it the same?"

[scubascuba3]

52 minutes ago, geisha said:

 Borabadur is another fabulous temple. Loved it. Very different to all others I’ve seen. Not very well known. 

I've done so many amazing things that temples just don't do it for me

[Sheryl]

On 5/19/2023 at 3:34 PM, bignok said:

Do Thais pay farang entry fees too? Im guessing they do.

All non Cambodian nationals pay the same fee

[bignok]

56 minutes ago, LaosLover said:

"No, no, I don't want to visit The Louvre. Don't they have old paintings in churches for free? Isn't it the same?"

Might be better. Being famous does not make it good.

[Burma Bill]

On 5/19/2023 at 3:34 PM, bignok said:

Do Thais pay farang entry fees too? Im guessing they do.

Yes they do. Only Cambodian/Khmer people get free entry ALSO foreigners/ex-pats who have lived permanently in the country for at least 2 YEARS. As a UK ex-pat I get a free annual pass (renewable) to visit the Angkor Archaeological Park whenever I so desire, courtesy of the Royal Cambodian Government. Entrance fees can be found on this website:

 

https://www.siemreap.net/guides/angkor/hours-admission/

 

I live in Siem Reap and arrived 3 years ago, having lived in retirement in Thailand for 20 years.

Siem Reap has improved with many infrastructure modernisation projects. Roads have been widened, traffic lights, people crossings, dedicated cycle ways (especially towards Angkor Wat itself), parks, riverside promenades and gardens improved. Currently Siem Reap is extremely busy with many tourists as I witnessed this afternoon whilst shopping. The popular street food stalls were being set up alongside the river prior to the roads becoming "traffic free" as with Pub Street with many new bars and restaurants. Fortunately the days of ghetto blasting music are long gone as have the mobile kerbside cocktail bars.

On one of my "free" trips, I visited the renovated Neak Pean Temple on an island linked by a new causeway (2 photos). The first picture shows the extent of the UNESCO Angkor Archaeological Park with Angkor Wat to the south.

The one full day small circuit can be very exhausting in hot and humid weather. Wear strong shoes, a hat/cap and have plenty of drinking water.