|
General Information
Cambodia Fact File
Country name : Kingdom of Cambodia.
Motto : Nation, Religion, King.
Capital City : Phnom Penh.
Government : Constitutional Monarch.
Major Cities : Siem Reap, Sihanouk Ville, Battambang, Kompong Chham.
Major Rivers/Lakes: Tonle Sap River, Mekong River, Bassac River.
Airport : Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (International Airports).
Climate : Tropical Monsoon season.
Language : Khmer (90-95%), ethnic-Chinese, Cham, ethnic-Vietnamese, several hill tribes in north-east.
Guides : Government-licensed tourist guides (English, French, Japanese, German, Spanish, Italy, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Russian…).
Religion : Theravada Buddhism (95%), Islam, Christianity, Animism.
Population : 15 million.
Food : Fish and Rice.
Land Area : 181 035 Square kilometers.
Currency : Riel (US$ 1= 4000 Riels). US dollars are as commonly used as Riel.
Voltage : 220V/ 50 Hz.
Time : 7 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
Country code : 855.
Internet TLD : KH.
Business hours: Government office: 7:30-11:30 am, 2:00-5:00 pm (Monday–Friday).
Private office : 7:00 am–20:00 pm (Monday–Saturday).
Travel News
Cambodia has only a handful of tourist offices, and those encountered by the independent travel in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are generally unhelpful unless you look like you are going to spend money. However, in the provinces it is a different story, as the staffs are often shocked and excited to see visitors. But it is made dear that you are a genuine tourist, they will usually tell you everything there is to know about places of interest. More and more towns are ambitiously opening tourist offices, but they generally have little in the way of brochures or handouts. You will some tourist offices listed in the relevant destination sections in guide book. Cambodia has no official tourist offices abroad and it is likely that Cambodian embassies will be much assistance in planning a trip, besides issuing a visa.
Visa & entry requirement
Most nationalities receive a one-month visa on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Issuing Cambodian visa requires one photo. Visas are now available at most of land borders. Arrival by flight can issue “on arrival visa” at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports. Overland crossings can issue visa at the following check-point borders. But arriving overland from Vietnamand Laos, you will need to have obtained your visa in advance. A single entry tourist visa ($20 plus one photo required) is valid for one month, including the day of issue. But $25 for a business visa (plus one photo). Tourist visa can be extended only once for one month, but business visas can be extended indefinitely. Renew visas through a travel agent for the immigration department located opposite the Phnom Penh International Airport.
Visa
Officially, a one-month tourist visa extension costs $30, three months $ 60, six months $100 and one year $150. They can’t call it corruption in Cambodia but “under the table,” and you can have your passport back the next day for inflated prices of $39 for one month, $60 for three months, $145 for six months and $275 for one year. Over staying your visa currently costs a whopping $ 5 a day. Visa_info@online.com.kh.or http: evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/
Passport
Passport must valid more than six months beyond the end of your trip. Cambodian Immigration will not issue a visa if you have less than six months’ validity left on your passport. It is important to make sure that there is plenty of space left in your passport. Do not set off on a six-month trek across Asia with only two blank pages left. Cambodian visa alone takes up one page. It is sometimes possible to have extra page added to your passport, but most people will be required to get a new passport. This is a possible for most foreigners in Cambodia, but it can be a time consuming and costly, as many embassies process new passports in Bangkok. Losing a passport is not the end of the world, but it is a serious inconvenience. To expedite the issuing of a new passport, keep a copy of your passport details.
Phnom Penh & Siem Reap Airport
International Departure Tax:
Foreigner: Adult US$25….under 12 years old US$13 and under 2 years old free.
Cambodian: Adult US$18…..under 12 years old US$ 10 and under 2 years old free.
Domestic Departure tax:
Foreigner: US$6, Cambodia: US$5.
Airlines Flying To/ From Cambodia
Bangkok Airways
PP: # 61 A, Street 214 Tel: 023- 426 624
SR: # 571, Rte # 6 Tel: 063- 380 191
www.bangkokair.com
Silk Air
PP: # 219-B, MiCasa Hotel Tel: 023- 426 808
www.silkair.net
Vietnam Airlines
PP: # 41, Street 214 Tel: 023- 363 396
SR: # 342 Ntl. Rte # 6 Tel: 063- 964 488
Laos Airlines
PP: 58c, Sihanouk Tel: 023-216 563
SR: # 114, Rte # 6 Tel: 063- 963 283
Royal Khmer Airlines
PP: # 36B, 245 Mao Tse Toung Blvd. Tel: 023- 994 502
pnhtofe@royalkhmerairlines.com
Siem Reap Airways
PP: # 65, Street 214 Tel: 023- 720 022
SR: # 571, Rte # 6 Tel: 063- 380 191
Angkor Airways
PP: # 32, Norodom Tel: 023- 222 056
SR: Samdech Tepvong St. Tel: 063- 964 878
www.angkorairways.com
China Airlines
PP: # 1B 179, Mao Tse Toung Tel: 023- 222 693
www.china-airlines.com
Malaysia Airlines
PP: # 172-184, Monivong Tel: 023- 218 923
SR: At the airport Tel: 063- 964 135
Jet Star Asia Airways
PP: # 333B, Monivong Tel: 023- 220 909
SR: old market area Tel: 063- 964 388
Royal Phnom Penh Airways Tel: 023- 990 564
Q: What is the proper currency to use?
A: US dollars are as commonly used as the Cambodian Riel and even Thai Baht is acceptable in many places. Most restaurants and shops set their prices in dollars. Small transactions are usually done in Riel. Always carry some small Riel for motorcycle taxis, snacks, beggars and other small purchases. Riel can come in notes of the following denominations: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, 50,000 and 100,000.
Credit cards and traveler checks are not common but are catching on. US dollar, traveler checks are much more easily than other kind. Money changers cluster around the markets. When accepting money, inspect the bills. Hundred Riel is acceptable tender, but a large US note renders it worthless. There are banks in all of the larger provincial capitals, including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Battambang. But money effect telegraphic transfers and some banks can cash traveler checks and accept Visa cards.
There is only one ATM in Cambodia, at the Canadia Bank in Phnom Penh, and you must have a local account in order to do access foreign accounts from this.
The Riel fluctuates in the range of 3900-3950 to a dollar, though for convenience some shops use 4000 as the exchange rate. Make sure you always have small bills (ones and fives) as you can never be sure of getting change on larger denominations.
Q: Doesn't using the local currency result in cheaper prices?
A: Not in Cambodia. For all intents and purposes, the US dollar is the currency of Cambodia.
If anything, using riel for larger purchases may cost you more, not less, than if you used US dollars.
Q: So change is given in riels, do the merchants cheat you?
A: Not really. The most common way to scrape a few extra riel is that some merchants will put the riel at 3900 to a dollar change, but put it at 4000 to a dollar when you are paying in. Until September 2002, 100 riels was the smallest denomination would get for fifty cents change then, was 1900 riels. To you, these few extra riels they make are only a couple of cents, but spread that out over thousands and thousands of transactions during the course of a year and it adds up to a tidy sum of cash. For purposes of giving change, many foreign-owned businesses value the riel at 4000 to a dollar regardless of the direction, but it's more common for Khmer-owned businesses to use a 4000 in/3900 out system, which, if you really get analytical about it, is cheating.
Q: Where can I change money?
A: The best place to go is to any of the hundreds of private money changers.
Do not bother with banks as most (all?) are not in the money changing business.
You always see a concentration of money changers around the markets, but they are everywhere. They can be recognized by the glass case full of money (also a testament to the general honesty of most Khmers), most of it riels, and two numbers on the glass, both numbers being 39xx. These numbers are the present exchange rates for US dollars and Riels. Exchanging dollar and riel is a straightforward process and rip-offs are extremely rare. With any other currency some bargaining may be necessary. Japanese Yen, Euros, and Baht seem to pose no difficulties, though rates may vary slightly from changer to changer. However, the more obscure the currency is, the less likely the money changer will know the actual rate nor be willing to offer a fair rate as it may be more difficult for them to reconvert the notes. It's also been my experience that in most cases the money changers will offer a better rate than the hotels regardless of what currency you're changing.
Q: Are there a lot of counterfeit bills floating around?
A: Some, but if I ever had once I didn't know it, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. If for any reason you find yourself with a possible counterfeit, just keep trying, eventually somebody will take it. The best place to get rid of it would probably be in paying your airport departure tax as they don't seem to check the money they handed.
Q: Does the condition of the bills make a difference?
A: For Cambodian riels, you will see some bills so worn and torn you might have trouble figuring out what denomination it is. But with the US dollars one little rip in a bill and nobody will accept it (don't bring rip money to Cambodia). On my very first visit to Cambodia I got stuck with a torn ten-dollar bill that nobody would take until finally as I arrive at Pochentong International Airport they took it when I paid the departure tax. Do not accept torn money and if you're receiving money from a bank, check every bill and don't be shy to turn one back if you don't like the appearance of it. I've often handed back bills at several different banks and they've exchanged them without question. Old dirty bills that aren't torn can still be spent, but new ones are better, so if you can, turn back the dirty ones, too.
Q: Are there any ATMs?
A: There are many ATM machine in most places in Cambodia, specially Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. You can cash either in US dollars or local currency (riel) from those ATM machine. They are normally 24/7 service.
Q: Can I use a credit card?
A: More so than before. Better hotels, some restaurants, and a handful of shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap take Visa, but cash is still the best way to go and some establishments that do accept credit cards slap a surcharge of several percentage (sometimes as high as 7% or even 8%!) for the convenience. You can however; get a cash advance from numerous banks in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap with commissions usually around 2%. Some private businesses also offer cash advances but their charges tend to be a few percentage points higher than the banks.
Q: How about traveler's checks?
A: You can change it only a limited number of banks in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. If you are traveling up a country, you should change enough money before you go. You spend it is a bit more problematic. Cash is remaining king in Cambodia.
Travel to Angkor Wat & Temples
Q: Do I need a guide to see Angkor?
A: There is no requirement that says you have to use a guide to visit the Angkor Archaeological Park. It's entirely a personal decision. Some people find carrying a guide book with them to be sufficient, others prefer having someone escort them through the temples explaining things as they go along. One option to consider is hiring a guide for 2 or 3 days to make your trip very special and memorable. Guides are available speaking a number of foreign languages including English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Korean, German, Vietnamese, and Russian. Please contact us.
Q: How many days do I need to see Angkor?
A: This is a common question that really doesn't have a definite answer. Some people are happy with a day, it is not enough. But to give you some kind of answer, try to give yourself at least three days in Siem Reap, though a week may be better as you can take a break from the temples for one or two days to see some other historical sites and avoid temple burn-out.
Admission How long to stay
A: You must posses an admission pass to visit the temples and sites in the Angkor Archeological Parks. All passes maybe purchased at the main entrance on the road to Angkor Wat. Passes are sold in one-day $ 20, three-day $ 40, and seven-day $ 60 blocks that must be used on consecutive days. A one-day visit allows you to see the highlights of the famous temples, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Taprohm …etc. Three-day visit is sufficient to visit all of the major temples. Seven-day visit is quite enough time to really explore some of your favorite ruins and visit many of the minor structure as well. One photo must be provided at time of purchase of three and seven days passes. Check point office opens at 5:00 AM until 5: 00PM. Pass will be checked upon each park entry and major temples. A regular admission ticket is not required to visit Phnom Kolen, Kohker, or Beang Melea, but there is a separate entrance fee $ 20, $ 10, $ 5.
Food
Cambodia has a great variety of national dishes, some similar to the cuisine of neighboring Thailand and Laos, other closer to the Chinese and Vietnamese cooking, but all come with that unique Cambodian twist, be it the odd herb here or the odd spice. The overall impression is that Khmer cooking is similar to Thai cooking, but with fewer spices.
Q: How's the local food?
A: Personally, I don't particularly care for Khmer food. It's a cross between Thai and Vietnamese but with a fraction of the flavor. I find Khmer food quite bland, really. It's been suggested that Khmer food is less exciting than its neighbors' because of years of war and occasional famine, whereupon they just let their cuisine fall away. It's a plausible explanation as apparently Cambodia did have quite a cuisine but in the past thirty years or so, like so many things, it seems to have been lost. That said, there are those who do like the food and of course if you're coming on a holiday, please ignore what I say, try the food and make your own decision about whether you like it or not.
Q: What's the availability of western food?
A: In Phnom Penh just about any cuisine you can think of is represented somewhere by a restaurant and represented fairly well. Siem Reap also has a generous supply of western and other Asian cuisine restaurants. If Khmer food doesn't do it for you, you'll find plenty of satisfactory alternatives in either of these locations. Elsewhere the choices become slimmer. Sihanoukville has a couple of eateries with western food in Battambang there are a couple of places as well. Anywhere else and you're going local.
Q: Is the food safe to eat?
A: Everybody eventually comes down with some kind of food poisoning here but everybody has to eat it. I wouldn't stress too much on the food. Look at it, smell it whatever, just eat. I've gotten sick at nice restaurants and I've eaten from street stalls where the food was pre-cooked hours before and I had no problems whatever. The best rule to follow is if you see a place with a lot of locals; than the restaurant is okay. Also realize that individual body chemistry plays some role in how you will react to unfamiliar food. Five years, I've been here and there is still some kind of bacteria I can't seem to get my body to adjust to.
Q: What beer is available and what's best?
A: In restaurants and bars the most common brands are Angkor, Anchor, Beer Lao, and Tiger. Angkor is domestic, Tiger and Anchor are from Singapore but brewed locally (Anchor is young Tiger), and Beer Lao is imported from Laos. Tiger and Angkor are the most common beers on tap. Two other local beers are Crown and Bayon but these are cheap rat's piss and rarely seen in restaurants and bars catering to westerners. There are several other local brands as well but the contents hardly qualify as beer. You can also find Heineken, Budweiser, and some of the Thai brands. Most expatriates seem to drink either Beer Lao or Anchor. I go for Beer Lao.
Drinks
Cambodian has a lively local drinking culture, and the heat and humidity will ensure that you hunt out anything on offer to quench your thirst. Coffee, tea, beer, wine, soft drinks, fresh fruit juice or some of the more exotic “fire waters” are all widely available tea is the national drink, but these days it is just as likely to be beer in the glass.
Wine & Spirits
Local wine in Cambodia generally means rice-wine; it is popular as with the minority people of the north-east. Some is super strong and it has been fermented for months, other wine is fresher and tastes more likely a demented cocktail. Other local wines include the light sugar-palm wine and ginger wine. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap foreign wines include the light sugar-palm wine and ginger wine. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, foreign wines and spirits are sold in super market at bargained prices, given how far they have to travel.
Tea & coffee
Chinese tea is a bit of national institution, and in most Khmer and Chinese restaurants a pot will automatically appear for no extra charge as soon as you sit down. Coffee is sold in most restaurants. It is either black or café Aulait, several with dollops of condensed milk which makes it very sweet.
Fruit-shake
It is popular throughout Cambodia. It is a little like fruit smoothies and is a great way to wash down a meal. Stalls are set up around local night market. It is sometimes, before dark and the drinks cost between 2000 or 2500 riels.
Water & soft Drinks
Drinking tap water must be avoided, especially in the provinces, as it is rarely purified and may lead to stomach complications. Locally produced mineral water is about 1000 riels per bottle at shops and stalls, through some locals and expatriates alike doubt the purity of the cheapest stuff. Those with a weak constitution might want to opt for one of the better local brands, such as Pure-Drop, Mineral, or imported water like Evian.
Soft drinks
Soft drinks are available in Cambodia. Bottled drinks are about 1500 riels, while canned drinks cost about 2000 riels and more again in restaurants or bars.
Ice
It is produced with treated water at local ice factories, and it is a legacy of the French.Transporting it often involves dragging huge blocks along the ground, but most people don’t worry about this, as it usually gets cleaned off all the time.
Safety
Q: Are land mines a problem for tourists?
A: No. Half a million tourists alone walked around Cambodia in 2001 and nobody stepped on a land mine. To this day, there have been no reported incidents of any foreigner visitor stepping on a land mine in Cambodia. Not one. The major tourist areas are absolutely mine-free. While the guidebooks still suggest being careful, even around Angkor Wat, the question you need to ask yourself is - do you plan to go bushwhacking through the trees, treading upon land no human as walked upon in years? I think the answer is 'no'. Even if you step into the bushes to answer nature's call, you're certainly going to walk along a well-worn path. So relax. According to the head of the HALO Trust in Cambodia, you'd have to drive at least one hour from Siem Reap to find a mine.
Climate/ What to wear
Generally speaking, November to April is the Dry Season and May to October is Rainy. The temperature ranges between 27C (80F) and 23C (73F). You should wear light, airy, covering clothing. The sun can intense so bring a hat, sun-glasses and perhaps sun block. Consider buying a traditional Khmer scarf to keep the sun off your neck. Carry raincoat during the wet season, though you will probably use in the afternoon. You should have a mosquito repellent for sunrise and sunset hour. For serious temple explore a flashlight and compass can come in handy. Sport shoes are the best for exploring the ruins. The peak season is from November till March, best time of the year, no rain, not too hot, all activities in town operate more flights, more bus & boat Service.
E-mail/Internet
If you want to get online, do it in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap - here you're never far from an Internet shop or cafe? And rates are $1-2 per hour. In the provinces, it's a different matter: even in Battambang and Sihanoukville access is limited, and expensive at around $3 per hour. One of the best ways to keep in touch while traveling is to sign up for a free email address that can be accessed from anywhere, for example Yahoo Mail or Hotmail. Once you've set up and send mail from any Internet Cafe? Or from a hotel with Internet Access.
Telephone
Cambodia telephone numbers are usually listed beginning with a “0” for example: 012 925 465. The first three numbers (011, 012, 015, 016, 017, 023, 063, 092, 098, 099…etc which represented the provincial area code or the mobile phone system. When dialing domestically, it is necessary to dial the entire number including the “0” at the beginning. For example: 012 299 458. When dialing an internationally to Cambodia, use the country code but exclude the “0” for example
Fax
Sending faxes is setting cheaper as telephone charges drop. The cheapest fax services are those via the internet, these can be arranged at Internet Café for around $ 1-2 a page. Some of the most popular midrange hotels hark reliable business centre, but be aware that Cambodia’s top hotels here expensive business centers where sending a fax will cost three times the price charged elsewhere.
Sending Postcards Home
Mail to Europe, Australasian and North America takes between five and ten days to arrive, leaving Phnom Penh for major international destinations around twice a week the specific days can be checked at the main post office. Stamps for postcards sent from the capital cost 1800 Riels to Europe and Australia, 2100 Riels to America (add 300 Riel if posting from the provinces).
Do I need any vaccinations?
Travelers have very little to worry about in a country where health standards are ranked amongst the highest in Asia. The medical vaccinations are required to enter the Kingdom of Cambodia; you are unless coming from a "yellow" infected area.
More things to do and see in Siem Reap
Les Chantiers Ecoles (Artisans d'Angkor)
It is a school specializing in teaching wood and stone carving techniques to impoverished young generation people. It launched in 1992 under a join Cambodian/French initiative and partly financed by the EU since 1998 under the "REPLIC" programmed, Chantiers-Ecoles vocational center trains 650 apprentices a year included 160 in fine arts & crafts trades united in the "Artisans d'Angkor" production net work. The site opens to the public wanting to be guided through the different workshops and watch the artisans at work.
The visit is free of charge and guide will take you around.
Market
Siem Reap abounds with small markets, but there are several traditional markets are Centre market, Old market, and Phsar Loeu. The old market (Phsar-Chas) is the most popular for tourists and visitors. It offers the greatest selection of souvenirs and curious of any of the traditional markets. And the area around the Old market is burgeoning with shops, galleries, restaurant, bars, massage, and more.
The old market is located on the river at the south end of the old French Quarters. During the day and early evening the south 
side of the market near the river is alive with souvenir and silk vendors hawking a wide variety of Cambodian handicrafts, textiles, statues, and curios. It is also a good place to pick up post cards, tee-shirts and books.
The north half of the old market caters more to the locals than tourists, vending fruit, vegetables, meats, cloths. A number of inexpensive food-stalls line the northern edge of the market along the street, serving local fare in interesting though sometimes hygienically challenged condition.
The old market closes at 6: 00 PM but the souvenir vendors stay open past 8:00 PM. While the old market offers the greatest variety of souvenir, the streets in the area around the market harbor several little galleries and boutiques, each with its own particular style collection, art or specialty. Other conveniences in the Old Market area include dozens of restaurants and pubs, especially along the pub-street, travel agents, internet shops, banks, massage shops…etc. In the later evening the street is blocked to motor traffic, allowing pedestrians to stroll easily.
Angkor National Museum
A tour of the Angkor National Museum will be pleasurable for both visitors who have a good understanding of the ancient Khmer civilization and visitors who do not have any previous knowledge of the ancient Khmer empire.
Miniature of Angkor Wat
Artist and master craftsman, Dy Proeung has created several beautiful, hand carved and cast sandstone and concrete miniatures of Angkor Wat, Bayon, Banteay Srei and other Angkorian temples and some figures. Visit his workshop/display yard to view his carvings and castings and to see the artist at work. Dy Proeung has received an award of recognition for his works from the former king of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk.
Admission fee: US$1.50.
Angkor-Zoo
The owner of the zoo says, visitors see the stones and jungle of Angkor, but cannot see the animals of Angkor. Now, the animals can be seen at Angkor Zoo. It is a small zoo of dubious zoological value containing jungle and water fowl, monkey, deer, snakes, lizard, small mammals, a few crocodiles and other jungle animals. Entrance Fee: US$ 3.
Traditional Apsara Dance Performance
In numerable Apsaras (celestial dancers) which adorned the walls of many of the Angkor-Ian temples. Their earthly counterparts performed traditional dances for the kings, and these dances have been passed down through the ages. A traditional Apsaras dance show is an absolute must for the visitor to Cambodia. Nightly dinner-theater performance is held at several locations. Traditional dance such as the graceful, the fun and romantic fishing dance, except from the Ramayana and other selections are performed. Dinner is at 7:00PM and show is at 7: 30 PM and last about an hour. The price ranges from $12-25 (local restaurant $12 / Grand Hotel $+25) Book at Golden Temple to get special discount.
Beatocello on Saturday
Dr. Beatocello Richner plays Cello music by J.S. Bach on the cello and speaks about the activities of the children’s hospitals every Saturday at 7:15PM at Jayavarman VII hospital. It is an entertaining and worthy evening. The hospital welcomes both monetary and blood donations at any time. It is situated on the road from town to Angkor Wat.
More information http://www.beatocello.com
Butterfly Garden Restaurant
An absolutely wonderful new addition to Siem Reap the Cambodia butterfly garden and bar is about the six of a residential lot, and provides an inviting relaxing place to spend an hour away from the temples. A lovingly constructed garden with paths, fountain and a large fishpond are all covered by light netting. More than a thousand live butterflies, represented as well. The friendly proprietor will usually give a small guided tour of his garden. Soft drinks, water, beer and other drinks are available at the patio bar in the garden from 8:00am-5:00pm. The entrance Fee: US$1.
Crocodile-Farm
The hundreds of crocodiles in several pens are separated by different age. Also on displays are various small animals. For example, gibbon, deer, lizards in abysmal little wire cages. It opens from 7:00am-6:00pm, and it locates about one kilometer away from Siem Reap province. The entrance Fee: USD 1
Countryside-Tours
Those enchanted by rice paddies and water buffalos, stilted houses and some small villages, will find a tour through the Cambodian countryside to be a scenic, bucolic and cultural experience. The road from Siem Reap to the Tonle Sap Lake south of town, there are a lot of beautiful picturesque, following the Siem Reap River you can see some traditional Khmer houses, pagodas, water-wheels and more. For more extensive tours consult Angkorcharityguideservices.
Tonle Sap Exhibition
The Exhibition on the Khmer Heritage is sponsored by Krousar Thmey, (which means “New Family” a Cambodia-based NGO assisting children in Cambodia). The current exhibition is dedicated to the Tonle Sap Lake and the people, culture and environment of the area. The displays are actually quite informative and include maps, photos, and models of traditional houses, boats and fishing implements with written explanations in French, English and Khmer. The highlight of the exhibit is a working scale model of Tonle Sap Lake. There are also exhibits on the works of Krousar Thmey. It opens everyday for public. The admission is free, donations accepted. It located on the road to Angkor Wat, just past the jayavarman VII’s hospital.
Mine Museum
Year of war have brought Cambodia one of the worst landmine problems in the world. The new Cambodia landmine 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 the recent years. He is sometimes on hand to provide personal tours and tell of his experiences as a young soldier. It located six kilometers south of Banteay Srei temple.
Shadow Puppets
The creation of leather Sbei toi (shadow puppets) is a traditional Khmer art form, and the figures make a memorable souvenir characters include Gods and Demons from Ramayana as well as exquisite elephant with intricate armor. These are a very Cambodian keepsake.
Massage
Relaxing and refreshing traditional Khmer massage is offered at chai Angkor wat on the road to Angkor wat, traditional Khmer health massage near the old market and Angkor massage by the blind.
Pagodas and 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 statues of the names 
Preah Ang Chorm (shorter), and Preah Ang Chek (taller). They are surrounded by stories of power and indestructibility. The visitors are welcome to make offerings and take photos. The reverence of local pilgrims is palpable.
Shrine to Ya Tep, a tutelary statue which is placed under a huge tree in the traffic circle in front of the royal residence.