The Smile of Angkor Grand Epic Show in Siem Reap is a show about the history and culture of Cambodia. Dancers from the Cambodian Royal Ballet as well as from China immerse you to the time when the Temples of Angkor were built.

Smile of Angkor is a high technology laser show with modern lighting and sound system. It combines ancient Cambodian songs and dances with ancient Khmer martial art performances, acrobatics, legends, local Khmer life, the temples of Angkor, Khmer festivals and the Hindu myth Churning the Sea of Milk.

There are actually several so-called floating villages located on, and around the Tonle Sap Lake (Boeung Tonle Sap) and they are all somewhat different. The Tonle Sap Lake is the largest feature of the map of Cambodia, and is an important natural resource in terms of fishing and wetlands.

In the rainy season, the Mekong River backs up into the lake, and it swells to more than 5 times its size in the dry season, flooding the surrounding forests and plains. Of course the best time to visit ‘floating villages’ is during the wet season when the water is high. You can try a ‘do-it-yourself’ tour, but it can be a hassle, and there are stories of people having problems trying to do it themselves. The four main ‘floating’ villages are listed below.

A somewhat smaller floating village, it is the starting point for bird watching tours to the core area of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. (see Bird Watching) This is an important habitat for many endangered bird species.

There is a Biosphere information canter, and a water hyacinth weaving center. Overnight stay is possible, but is not well organized, and may not be suitable for all visitors.

Prek Toal is a magnificent floating village. It is from the village that we has access to Prek Toal’s bird sanctuary which can be made only by boat from Siem Reap or Battambang. About 2 hours by boat to arrive at Prek Toal, and departure by any small boats with oar inside the sanctuary. Birds are few and some very big birds, such as pelicans, Big Marabouts, storks, made their nest on the big trees, according to the season.

Sunset watching at Bakheng Mountain is always a fun thing to do, especially when traveling. But at Angkor Wat, watching the sun going down is a very interesting event. Not because the sun looks prettier from there, but because there are so many people gathering for it.Where do these people gather? At a temple called Phnom Bakheng (a short distance from the Angkor temple), and this place has been famous for a while now as the spot for sunset watching.

Some people think Phnom Bakheng is overrated and too crowded, while others think it’s only so-so. But I found Phnom Bakheng to be a great place for an Angkor Wat sunset!

A good reason to visit Siem Reap is the Angkor Night Market. The first of its kind in Cambodia, Angkor Night Market was founded in 2007 with the prime mission to restore as well as preserve traditional Khmer handicrafts while alleviating poverty and improving the lives of Khmer people.

Luckily, locals and visitors have embraced this unique concept, and the original 100 stalls have now grown into a cluster of 250 or more over the years. Designed and constructed in a simple and traditional way, this night market is bounded by a Balinese themed garden and largely reflects the Khmer culture and heritage, with its well laid out thatched hut style stalls – all made using natural raw materials such as bamboo and wood.

Being a tourist-related town, there are a great many shopping opportunities in Siem Reap and after hotels and tourism, shopping is big business. It’s not exactly ‘shop ‘til you drop’, but from cheap souvenirs to expensive gems and jewelry, and everything in between, you can find just about whatever you want here. There are three main local markets, three main night markets, and now two shopping centres and many 24-hour convenience stores. Khmer handicraft items exist in large quantities, and there are places that sell ‘antiques’. While some things may be actual old antiques, one should be careful when purchasing such items.

People here have become very adept at making new things look old. Also, it is illegal to export Angkorian artifacts taken from ancient sites. In any event, you need to know what you are doing when dealing with antiques

As one might expect, the focus for most visitors to Siem Reap are the ancient temples of Angkor, visiting the great Tonle Sap Lake, and other daytime activities. But to think that there is not much to do after dark, would be wrong. After all, this is a tourist town. The liveliest areas in Siem Reap after dark are Pub Street, the Old Market area, the alley and lane off Pub Street, and the Night Market area. Most venues are frequented by either tourists or expats, but some establishments attract both types of customers. Closing times vary widely, and range from about 12 midnight for those places that are restaurant-bar combinations, to the early hours of the morning for hardcore bars.

No matter what your taste, for both drinking and dining, there are many venues to choose from for a fun evening out. While the nightlife in Siem Reap doesn’t even come close to that of Thailand, or even Phnom Penh, you should be able to find what you are looking for. From intimate and stylish places for a quiet cocktail, to Khmer disco type paces with very loud music, to bars with very attentive ladies, there is something for everyone. See below for a few venues we have reviewed for you.

Holic Tandijono, Executive Director of Angkor Golf Resort, said: “We are delighted to continue our excellent relationship with Sir Nick and we believe the Faldo Series can make a real difference to golf in Cambodia. We will introduce a strong grass-roots element to the event to help create access to the game for local children. Hopefully they will be inspired to take up the game and return one day as competitors themselves.”

Faldo added: “I thank Holic and his team at Angkor Golf Resort for sharing my vision. The Series is one of a number of charitable initiatives in the country that we are working on together.”

Open to boys and girls aged between 12 and 21 of all nationalities, the first Cambodia Championship will be played over two rounds at Angkor Golf Resort, located near the famous Angkor Wat temples in Siem Reap and host to this season’s Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic on the Asian Tour.

Enjoy half hour to half day explorations through Siem Reap’s surrounding countryside and temples on horseback. The experience is great for individuals or families, as there are horses suitable for all experience levels from placid ponies that are suitable for first time riders through to young lively geldings for experienced riders. Most of the horses are one hundred percent Cambodian bred. The ranch does their best to ensure you are given a horse that is most suited to your experience.

This horse riding tour is made to give the opportunity to riders to mix horseback tours, in a wonderful and exotic setting, and the discovery of world wide known sacred places of Cambodia.

Angkor Wat, a wonder of the world, totally unique, opens its gates for you ! You will also have the opportunity to meet the inhabitants of the famous lake dwellings, and to marvel at the verdant vegetation of this secret kingdom.

Flight of the Gibbon builds its famous zipline courses in the most spectacular and beautiful real rainforest locations in Southeast Asia. Angkor, 30 minutes from Siem Reap, Cambodia is home to the 7th Wonder of the World, Angkor Wat and dozens of other ancient ruins, temples and compelling religious historical artifacts spanning centuries of Hindu and Buddhist influence.