Its literal translation "Siam Defeated" may not convey the right connotation but Siem Reap- with its imposing temples (Wat Preah En Kau Sei and Wat Athvea,) the renowned Angkor Wat, and its "bamboo" skyscrapers-hums with a good deal of activity and excitement and beckons the large number of tourists who flock to the site even in the off-peak season. Though small in scale, this unassuming town is becoming more certain of its status as one of the crème de la crème destinations not only in Southeast Asia but around the world.
For centuries, Siem Reap has enticed travelers with its old attraction, the Old Town. Tucked here are clusters of old villages with distinct French and Chinese style architecture, watering holes, and shops that target the tourists' pockets. Not far from here is the Psar Chaa which sells everything, from felt hats and tiny statues to shirts and bags that are relatively cheap.
Adjacent to the old market is the wet market that sells the local products of Siem Reap, from local fruits and vegetables to fresh meat. The good news is that visitors can always practice their haggling skills. For first timers, make sure to visit some of the alleyways that are similar to the cul de sacs in Alicante, Spain. The only difference is that this part of the town contains rows of restaurants specializing in Khmer food.
Little by little, modernity has started sweeping through Siem Reap. The nooks are now filled with restaurants, upscale hotels and spas designed to suit the palate of the westerners. What are often missed are the many opportunities to experience traditional Cambodia: encountering the world's rarest water birds at Prek Toal, visiting the tranquil Kompong Phluk to see the swamped forest filled with a commune of floating villages, and traversing the silk farms through its rice-paddy countryside or simply riding the tuk-tuk to get to places such as Prasat Beng Mealea or the "valley of 1000 lingas "known in Khmer language as Kbal Spean.