As enthralling as the temples of Angkor may be, there are lots of other things to see and do around Siem Reap. Seeing a bit of Cambodia away from the temples can help avert ‘temple-burnout’ and round out your Cambodian experience as well as help Cambodia by taking some tourist pressure off of the temples and spreading the tourism dollars a bit more widely. In addition to the following suggestions, check out the sections on visiting the Tonle Sap Lake and bird sanctuary, attending a traditional dance performance, going on a helicopter, balloon and elephant rides, traditional markets and good causes. Also see Volunteer opportunities and Charitable Organizations: All Cambodia for more information. Fort more ideas on other things to do around Siem Reap see the NGO-based Stay Another Day website.

Angkor Hospital for Children
In the middle of the town, near the river. Foreign and Cambodian doctors. Pediatric hospital and clinical training site for Cambodian doctors, nurses and paramedical personnel. Provides medical consultation and emergency care for expats and tourists. Blood donors always welcome. Tel: 063-963409, Fax: 063-760452

E-mail: fwab@fwab.com

Web site: www.fwab.org

Angkor National Museum
The newly opened Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap promises eight chronologically ordered galleries of Angkorian-era artifacts and multi-media presentations of Angkorian history and culture. The Museum had just opened its doors and was not quite completed at time of printing, but should be very soon. Admissions price: US$12 (for foreigners). $2 for a camera. Hours: 9:00AM - 8:00PM. Located in town, on the road to the Angkor Park.

Tel. 063-966601.

Website: www.angkornationalmuseum.com

Angkor Wat in Miniature
Artist and master craftsman Dy Proeung has created several beautiful, hand carved and cast sandstone and concrete miniatures of Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ban-teay Srey and other Angkorian era temples and figures. Visit his workshop/display yard to view his carvings and castings and to see the artist at work. Mr. Dy Proeung has received an award of recognition for his works from the former King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk. Well worth the $1.50 admission fee. Located just off of the river road, north of Route #6 near the center of town. Look for the sign on the river road. 

Bird Watching and Environmental Tours

Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) is the first nature conservation center in Cambodia, located near Kbal Spean, about one hour north of Siem Reap. The aims of the center are the rescue, rehabilitation, breeding and reintroduction of threatened wildlife, in combination with an environmental education program, promoting wildlife conservation and training local villagers in the sustainable use of natural resources. Free guided center tour Monday to Friday at 13:00 (for groups, other times can be arranged).

Tel: 011-426856, 099-604017

info@accb-cambodia.org

www.accb-cambodia.org

Sam Veasna Center (SVC) SVC organizes half or full day trips focusing on birds but offering a glimpse of Cambodian rural life with a trained local guide. SVC was set up to promote wildlife conservation in Cambodia. It works together with the Wildlife Conservation Society and local village communities to develop remote sites close to the habitat of some spectacular bird life. The local communities benefit from the infrastructure set up for the visitors. Trips to see Sarus Crane at Ang Trapaeng Thmor, Giant and White Shouldered Ibis at Tamtboey, A vulture restaurant at Chhep amongst others, plus some of the most beautiful and unspoiled countryside in Cambodia.

Tel: 063-963710.

E-mail: bookings@samveasna.org.

Web: www.samveasna.org
 

Beatocello and Jayavarman VII Children's Hospital
Dr. Beat Richner plays Bach on the cello and speaks about the activities of his children’s hospitals (Jayavarman VII in Siem Reap, Kantha Bopha 1 and 2 in Phnom Penh) every Friday and Saturday evening at 7:15PM. Performances are held at the Jayavarman VII Hospital, located on the road to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. Dr. Richner provides an entertaining and worthy Saturday evening. The hospital welcomes both monetary and blood donations.

Website: www.beatocello.com

Balloon Rides 

Unique new addition to the Angkor area. Take a tethered helium balloon ride 200 meters straight up for an amazing aerial view of Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng, West Baray and other ruins amongst the surrounding jungle and rice paddies. Bring a camera and binoculars if you have them. The big, yellow balloon is based on the road from the airport to Angkor Wat, about a kilometer from the front gates of Angkor Wat.

Tel: 012-520810

Butterfly Garden
Butterflies Garden Restaurant features 1,500 tropical butterflies and a koi pond in a romantic, private garden. Creative tropical cuisine, including unique Khmer specialties, is served at breakfast, lunch and dinner. An array of fresh juices, shakes, beer, wine and cocktails is also available. Butterflies Garden Restaurant specializes in group events of all kinds from corporate retreats to children's birthday parties. Check our website ( www.butterfliesofangkor.com ) for a listing of family-oriented activities and traditional and contemporary Khmer performance art. 

Cambodian Cultural Village
A unique, sprawling new cultural attraction in Siem Reap, intended to introduce the visitor to Cambodian culture and history. Wax museum with scenes and figures from history. Fascinating 1/20th scale models of sites such as Phsar Thmey and the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh and the hills and temples of Oudong. Full scale models of a variety of Cambodian architectural types, including different styles of huts and homes, hill tribe houses, pagoda and mosque. Live shows, traditional dance performances and music. Traditional Khmer wedding show twice per day. On Airport Road.

Tel/Fax: 063-963836,

E-mail: ccv@camintel.com

Web Site: www.cambodianculturalvillage.com

Cooking Classes
The good people at The Ox Cart Restaurant at The River Garden Guesthouse are offering culinary tours and cooking courses focusing, of course, on local fare. Culinary tours include a tour of a local market(s) with an introduction to local culinary culture, foods and ingredients, cooking equipment, etc. followed by cooking classes at the restaurant. Call 063-963400 for schedule.

Countryside Tours
Those enchanted by rice paddies and water buffalos, stilted houses and little villages, will find a tour through the Cambodian countryside to be a scenic, bucolic, cultural experience. The road from Siem Reap to the Tonle Sap south of town is picturesque, following the Siem Reap River past traditional Khmer houses, pagodas, water wheels and more. For more extensive tours consult a travel agent or tour operator. Hidden Cambodia Adventure Tours (012-655201, www.hiddencambodia.com ) specializes in countryside tours, cultural and distant temple tours, and 4WD and dirt bike tours. Single and multi-day tours available.

Elephant Rides 
During the day, elephants await customers near Bayon or at the South Gate of Angkor Thom. In the evenings, elephants are stationed at the base of Phnom Bakheng, ready to transport riders up the hill for sunset. $10-$15 for a 25 minute ride.

Golf
Phokeethra Country Club Siem Reap’s first international golf club. 18-hole, 72 par golf course spread over 155 hectares and stretching 6.53 kms. A combination of paspulum grasses allows for year round golf. Putting green, pitching area, driving range, pro-shop and restaurant. Managed by Sofitel Royal Angkor Golf & Spa Resort. Located along Route #6 in Pouk district 16 kilometers from town.
Tel: 063-964600

www.phokeethra.com

Helicopter Rides
Helicopters Cambodia is a New Zealand owned operation based at the Siem Reap airport, offering scenic flights around the Angkor temples as well as specialized temple tours, aerial filming, photography, charters and more. Hup Guan Street behind the Center Market. Tel: 012-814500, 012-791724
www.helicopterscambodia.com

Sokha Helicopters Sokha Helicopters offer scenic helicopter tours of the temples beginning at $50/pax. Specialized tours, aerial photography, charter services. Multiple aircraft. Conveniently located next to the big, yellow balloon about 1km from Angkor Wat on the road from the airport to Angkor Wat. Walk-in customer welcome. For reservations call: 012-1848891, 016-731468
www.sokhahelicopters.com

Horseback Riding
The Happy Ranch International standard horse ranch and riding school offering trail rides and riding lessons for adults and children. Private and group lessons available. Western instructor. English and Western style. See map. Follow road from Sivatha. Look for signs.
Tel: 011-920002, 012-920002, 016-920002
E-mail: info@thehappyranch.com
Website: www.thehappyranch.com 

Meditation/Yoga
Raja Yoga -  “Drop in for a free one-hour introductory session in the ancient art of Raja Meditation, most evenings at 5PM. Experienced teachers offer a practical and simple meditation technique. Books and CDs in many languages available. Registered NGO in over 100 countries.” Located just off the road to Angkor Wat, near Sofitel Hotel.

Tel: 012-258984.

Also located in Phnom Penh, Tel: 011-751395.
Website: www.bkwsu.org

Singing Tree Café This garden cafe doubles up as a community hub, offering a variety of classes, practice, information & bookings for eco-tourism, volunteer network. Regular Yoga practice with visiting teachers, chats and meditation practice with Buddhist monks, screenings of movies on social ecology, Zen lectures, wildlife conservation lectures, dance classes for kids and more. Be sure to look out for their weekly program posted about town, or check out the program page on their website www.singingtreecafe.com

Tel: 092-635500


Mine Museum 
Years of war have brought Cambodia one of the worst landmine problems in the world. The new Cambodia Land Mine Museum & Relief Facility contains an expanded exhibit displaying information and a variety of defused mines, bombs and other ordinance. The creator and proprietor of the museum, Akira, worked as a deminer in recent years. He is sometimes on hand to provide personal tours and tell of his experiences as a young soldier. Relevant and educational. US$1 admission. Located six km south of Banteay Srey.

Web Site: www.cambodialandminemuseum.org

Pagodas & Shrines 
Buddhist pagodas are the traditional seat of Khmer culture. Siem Reap, like many Cambodian towns, is a collection of villages, which grew around individual pagodas, later coalescing into the town. To get a true feel for Cambodia, a visit to at least one pagoda is a must.

Shrine to Preah Ang Chek & Preah Ang Chorm Of particular importance to the locals is the small shrine in front of the Grand Hotel D’Angkor containing two standing Buddhas of the names Preah Ang Chek (taller) and Preah Ang Chorm (shorter). They are surrounded by stories of power and indestructibility. Visitors are welcome to make offerings and take photos. The reverence of local pilgrims is palpable. 

Shrine to Ya Tep Under a huge tree in the traffic circle in front of the royal residence is a statue of Ya Tep, a neak-ta. Neak-ta are powerful spirits connected to a particular area of land. Ya Tep is local to Siem Reap and is said to help bring protection (and winning lottery numbers) to the faithful. Offerings of chicken skins can often be seen around the shrine.

Wat Bo Founded in the 18th century. A large, highly respected pagoda. Like the Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh, the vihear of Wat Bo contains very unique wall paintings of the Reamker that are said to be late 19th century. Look for the ordinary-life market scenes such as an opium smoking Chinese merchant, the colonial era French officer at the market and the French soldiers attending a traditional dance performance. Also of interest is the large collection of Buddha statues located behind the main Buddha.

Wat Keseram “Pagoda of the Cornflower Petals”. Pastoral setting and extensive, detailed collection of the life of Buddha on the interior of the vihear make this one of the more interesting wats to visit. The date of establishment is unclear, but most agree that the vihear was constructed in the early 1970’s. 

Wat Preah Prohm Rath An unspectacular but idyllically situated wat on the river in the center of town. Founded in 1915, the main vihear was constructed in 1945. Oddly enough, the wat grounds hold two large cannons said to have belonged to the larger-than-life 20th century warlord, Dap Chhoun. 

Wat Thmei (New Wat) The wat contains a unique glass-walled stupa containing the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge. Some of the bones were recovered from a nearby well while others are the remains of soldiers who died on a nearby battlefield. 500m west of the road to Angkor about 1.5km north of town.

Singing Tree Community Center
Special programs at the Community Centre at the Singing Tree Café: Afternoons - children movies; Evenings – Screening documentaries on Cambodian history, Buddhism (e.g. Dalai Lama, Tith-Nath-Hanh, Robert Thurman), quality world cinema and presentation of ecological & social projects. Wat Bo Road area

Tel: 092-635500

Website: www.singingtreecafe.com