Siem Reap - What to Do?

Hi,

Apart from the usual places on a tour what is the shopping and markets like in Siem Reap? Just trying to decided whether to spend another day there looking around or head straight out to Bangkok (which I have been before). I would probably like to wander the streets shopping but not sure if there is much shopping in Siem Reap. Any help would be appreciated - thanks.

If it shopping it has to be BKK, unless its just bananas your after then it would be Singapore.

the old market was nice but I've only been there once since they built the new one, with it's tourist trappings, just over 3 yrs ago

You can visit the floating villages (Kompong Phhluk is my favourite). You can climb Phnom Bok, Phnom Khrom, even go to the top of Phnom Kulen. Kbal Spean is also very interesting, 2. Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre should not be missed, and the outlying temples of Beng Mealea and Ko Ker are fascinating as well, with their touch of mystery and roughness. You can visit the countryside on top of a motorbike (with a driver) and get lazy in the rural village of Rulous (getting the chance of visiting the Rulous Group, which is very interesting, especially if seen before Angkor).

Check out Gorshar's guide to Siem Reap http://www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-siemreap-guide.htm</a>

The SiIlk Farm.
Thjers only one in Cambodia/Siem reap. Any Tuk Tuk driver will know how to get there.
I found it very interesting. They give you a free guided tour (i tipped the guide US$2 at teh end but that was just a coutesy), and they also have an artisans shop. You won't find higher quality silk garments cheaper anywhere and theres no pressure.

Agree with the silk farm being interesting, especially the production process. But
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>You won't find higher quality silk garments cheaper anywhere<hr></blockquote>
I'm not so sure about...

The silk farm is part of Artisans d'Angkor organisation. They also have a place in town (you can find it in the Lonely Planet) which has a whole lot of other arts and crafts... stone carving, lacquer ware etc. Both are interesting.

#5 is correct at the silk farm you can buy HIGH quality silk items for a very reasonable price. Cheap silk can be bought anywhere and for a cheap price (if you can bargain).

I found the landmines museum that is just off the main road to Angkor Wat to be intereseting too.. it is a couple of years since I have been and they were supposed to move so...

The Krousar Thmey exhibition - opposite the Angkor Bopha Childrens Hospital about Cambodian culture, the Tonle Sap environment and the ecology of the whole area I find interesting. It is free but a donation is appreciated.

How about a Seeing Hands massage by blind people ($3-$4) for an hour.

I have always wanted to do a cycle along the river but never got around to it... the section of the road that heads toward the port looks very inviting.

You can also visit Aki Ra’s landmine museum outside Siem Reap.
(check www.landmine-relief-fund.com)

The landmine museum both Soksabai and cresti refer to has moved out to just before Banteay Srei village.

Sorry, when I wrote "outside Siem Reap" I meant REALLY outside the city. I visited the museum on the same day I went to Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre.

I totally agree with 5-7. I've never had such a nice experience seeing the craftwork and shopping anywhere else in SE Asia. Wonderful establishment.

I hesitate to suggest it because I don't want to support the way the animals are treated, but the gator farm and zoo do have some interesting animals you might see nowhere else in the world.

The zoo is closed... :)
All the animals were eaten.