As the unofficial tourism capital of Cambodia, Siem Reap is a treasure trove of culture, heritage, history, architectural wonders, natural landscapes and more.

A great way to explore the essence of Cambodian life and experience Siem Reap the way the locals do is by signing up for The Aviary Hotel’s Connect with Community & Culture Package. The Package includes a two-night stay at Aviary Hotel, round-trip transfers between the hotel and airport, daily breakfast for two persons, a one-day Countryside Tour and tour transportation to different locations in an air-conditioned vehicle accompanied by a local English-speaking guide plus lunch and bottled water.

Here are five ways you can immerse yourself in various aspects of Cambodian culture through The Aviary Hotel’s Connect with Community & Culture Package.

1. Enjoy an authentic Khmer lunch with the locals

Get a true taste of Cambodian or Khmer food, prepared from scratch by a local family. Characterised by bold and rich flavours, Khmer food has dashes of influence from Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian and French cuisines. Rice, noodles, soups, curries and stir-fried vegetables are staples of the Khmer diet.

Must-try Khmer dishes include Nom Banh Chok, rice noodles covered in a gravy made of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf, galangal, turmeric and freshwater fish; Lap Khmer (beef salad), lime-marinated beef slices tossed in a dressing of lemongrass, fish sauce, lime juice, palm sugar, coriander, mint and chilli, together with green beans, onions, cucumbers and tomatoes; and Fish Amok, fish mixed in a herb/spice paste (kroeung) topped with coconut milk and steamed in banana leaves.

During the lunch, you’ll get to try a few Khmer home-cooked dishes as well as traditional desserts like bamboo sticky rice. You’ll also get to see how the produce is cultivated with care and thoughtfulness through sustainable farming and horticultural practices.

2. Marvel at the pagoda’s intricate designs and discover the storied past of Wat Luang Proleung

A sacred landmark located about 30km east of Siem Reap, Wat Luang Proleung is an architectural marvel. The temple is built on an ancient site dating back to 1890 and the site was said to have been restored in 1962. Its pagoda and stupas are said to date back 100 years or so.

The temple is known for its unique sema (boundary) stones that demarcate the inner space of the pagoda. Find out more about the temple’s rich history and the pagoda’s intricate designs from the local guide.

3. Observe sacred rituals and even receive a water monk blessing for good luck

There’s a chance to experience the sacred rituals practised at Wat Luang Proleung, and possibly receive a water monk blessing for good luck and prosperity. A water monk blessing, meant to bring renewal, purification and good luck, is a traditional Cambodian Buddhist practice dating back to ancient times.

The process involves being wholly covered in water blessed by the monks, while they chant in unison. Upon completion of the ritual, you will receive a single red tie that signifies your blessing.

This is a practice popular with newlyweds as the ritual is said to bring peace and happiness.

4. Watch a local dance performance known as Chhayam

As traditional dance is a popular art form in Cambodia, no visit to the country would be complete without catching at least one Khmer dance performance.

You’ll get to watch Chhayam, a traditional Khmer musical dance that is known to be colourful, lively and brimming with contagious enthusiasm. Considered a folk dance, it features a line of men playing decorated long drums, and dancers who may wear comic masks or paint their faces in humorous ways and clapping hand cymbals or wooden clackers.

The dance is both communal and spontaneous, combining drumming, comic exhibitions and animated vernacular call-and-response vocals.

5. See how the locals live on the floating village of Kampong Khleang

Located about 50km southeast of Siem Reap, Kampong Khleang is a floating village on Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. The floating village is home to over 10,000 people, many of whom are either fishermen or work in the fishing industry.

A tour of the floating village on a private boat will give you a fascinating glimpse of the villagers’ unique way of life on the water and how the resourceful villagers adapt on water. Observe how they commute by boats, their fishing lifestyle and activities at the floating markets.

Article courtesy of Stephanie Frantz of Craft Communications

The post 5 Best Things to Do in Siem Reap Besides Visiting Angkor Wat appeared first on Southeast Asia.

Visit the Royal Palace

Samdach Sothearos Boulevard (3)
Open daily from 8am to 10.30am, 2pm to 5pm (till 4.30pm on Fridays)

Arguably, the city’s most popular attraction, the Royal Palace is the official residence of the King. The palace’s traditional Cambodian-style architecture is downright gorgeous and its Throne Hall is elaborately ornate.

Look out for the Silver Pagoda which takes its name from the five tonnes of gleaming silver covering its floor. Inside the pagoda are a number of Buddha statues made of precious metals including a solid gold Buddha adorned with 2,086 diamonds, an 80kg bronze Buddha and a silver Buddha.

The view outside is just as stunning, with the well-manicured gardens framing the iconic Chan Chaya Pavilion. Join the locals and have a picnic at the Royal Palace Park while watching motorboats and paddle boats cruise by on the Tonle Sap River.

The entry fee for foreigners is USD10 (guide fee is optional). There’s also a strict dress code to follow – women must have their knees covered, so no shorts or skirts, while men are required to wear sleeved tops.

Explore the Central Market

Kamet Street (53)
Open daily from 7am to 6pm  

A landmark of the city, the ochre-coloured, art deco Central Market (Psar Thmei) is where you can buy pretty much anything – food, flowers, spices, clothes, jewellery, souvenirs, household items, electronics and more. 

There are hundreds of vendors lined up along the entire market purveying their array of wares. Be prepared to bargain for your purchases, as the prices are quite high as the market is a popular tourist spot.

After all that shopping, fuel up at the Khmer food stands offering local street food like Num Korng (traditional Cambodian doughnuts), whole fried fishes and fried tarantula, a regional delicacy, if you dare!

Check out Sisowath Quay

Along banks of Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers

A 3km-long stretch along the banks of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, Sisowath Quay teems with life whether it’s day or night. In the morning, you’ll find locals taking walks, the elderly practicing tai chi and joggers getting a workout before work. 

Sisowath Quay continues to bustle with activities throughout the day, as locals and tourists alike head to one of the many shops, cafes and restaurants located along the boulevard. There are also plenty of street vendors selling snacks like peanuts, popcorn, beer and coconuts. 

In the late afternoon, head over to Kanika Cruise Boats for a sunset cruise down the river. Tickets cost USD8 per person or USD17 with free-flow of beer. There’s also a dinner cruise at 7pm which includes a four-course meal for USD22.

Travel back in time to pre-Angkorian Cambodia at Sambor Prei Kuk

V2CV+C8G, Prasat Sambour​ District
Open daily from 7am to 5pm

Explore the incredible ruins of the 7th century Sambor Prei Kuk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which has been identified as the remains of Isanapura, the pre-Angkorian capital city of the Chenla Kingdom.

It is made up of 293 octagonal-shaped temples and is split into three main clusters, each with a brick wall around it. The entire site in the Kampong Thom province might be smaller than Angkor Wat, but thanks to its (comparatively) low tourist volume, it kind of feels like you’re on the set of a real adventure movie. 

There’s definitely lots to explore in the temple complex – from the Hindu temples meant to worship Shiva and stone carvings of Prasat Sambor to the remains of the main temple Prasat Tao.

Hiring a local guide is highly recommended. Alternatively, join a tour group to go through the entire place.

Learn more about silk weaving on Silk Island

Koh Dach

Located north of Phnom Penh, Silk Island (known locally as Koh Dach) gets its name from the traditional silk-weaving communities that dot the island.

You’ll get to see women under their traditional teak wood houses spinning silk to make accessories like scarves. In fact, most of the silk products sold in the markets around Cambodia come from here!

If you’re not squeamish about worms, caterpillars and other similarly shaped creepy crawlies, join a silk factory tour. The tour will unveil where the magic starts (with the silkworm farm), the harvesting stage and how the silk is made from the cocoons. Of course, there’ll be a chance to buy some silk and at wholesale prices too! 

Meet bears rescued from illegal wildlife trade at Bear Care Tour

National Road No. 2, Takeo Province
Open daily from 8.30am to 4.30pm

Meet endangered bears like sun bears and moon bears that have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade during the Bear Care Tour at the Cambodia Bear Sanctuary, located inside the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre.

While you may not have direct contact with the bears, you’ll get to hear moving stories of the rescued bears, see the bears and help the Bear Care Team prepare food and enrichment treats. You’ll enjoy watching the bears search and gobble down the treats you’ve hidden in their enclosures.

The minimum donation for the tour is USD90 per adult (kids below 3 years old can join for free; 50 percent of donated amount for each kid aged 4 to 15). Donation includes transportation, park entrance fee, lunch, guided tour, a reusable water bottle and a T-shirt. All donations go directly to the care of rescued bears in Cambodia.

If you and your kids really love animals, you could even sign up for a week-long volunteering programme.


*This article has been edited and adapted from Now Boarding by Changi Airport’s “Traveller’s guide to Phnom Penh: Cambodia’s capital city”

The post 6 Best Things To Do In Phnom Penh appeared first on Southeast Asia.

Angkor Thom (Big Angkor)

Angkor Wat

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Banteay Srei

Baphuon

Bayon

Beng Mealea

East Mebon

Neak Poan

Phnom Bakheng

Prasat Kravan

Preah Khan

Pre Rup

Ta Prohm

Ta Som

Terrace of the Elephants

The post Must-Visit Temples In Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap appeared first on Southeast Asia.

Battambang

• Barsaet Temple
• Ek Phnom
• Phnom Sampeau
• Prasat Banan
• Prasat Sneung
• Wat Baset
• Wat Kor
• Wat Pee Pahd
• Wat Somrong Knong

Kampong Chhnang

• Wat Phnom Rabbat
• Wat Sahn-dtoot

Kep

• Wat Samot Reangsey

Koh Ker

• Koh Ker Temple
• Prasat Thom

Kratie

• Wat Preah Vihear
• Wat Roka Kandal
• Wat Sray Sahn-tah-rah-boh
• Wat Vihear Kuk

Preah Vihear Province

• Preah Vihear Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Phnom Penh

• Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo Morakot)
• Wat Langka
• Wat Ounalom
• Wat Phnom (Wat Phnom Daun Penh)

Sihanoukville

 • Wat Krom

Takeo

• Chup Pol Temple (Chu Pol)
• Neang Khmao Temple
• Phnom Da
• Wat Phnom Khliang
• Yeay Pov Temple

The post Cambodia’s Other Temples appeared first on Southeast Asia.

Angkor Archaeological Park

• Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Lingas)

Battambang

• Battambang Provincial Museum
• Khor Sang House
• Mrs Bun Roeung’s Ancient House

Kampong Chhnang

• Phnom Santouch
• Wat Phnom Rabbat
• Wat Sahn-dtoot

Kompong Thom Province

• Sambor Prei Kuk (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Kampot

• Kampot Provincial Museum
• Kampot Traditional Music School
• Old Catholic Church (Bokor Mountain)

Kratie

• 100 Pillar Pagoda
• Wat Roka Kandal

Mondulkiri

• Pou Lung Village

Phnom Penh

• Independence Monument
• National Museum of Cambodia

• The Royal Palace

• The Killing Fields Museum of Cambodia

• Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (Choeung Ek Memorial)

Siem Reap

• Angkor National Museum
• Cambodian Landmine Museum (Angkor National Park)
• Khmer Ceramics & Fine Arts Centre

Takeo

• Angkor Borie
• Phnom Da

The post Popular Cultural Attractions appeared first on Southeast Asia.