Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Siem Reap is still a small town at heart and is easy enough to navigate. The centre is
around Psar Chaa (Old Market) and accommodation is spread throughout town. National
Hwy 6 (NH6) cuts across the northern part of town, passing Psar Leu (Main Market) in
the east of town and the Royal Residence and the Grand Hotel d'Angkor in the centre, and
then heads to the airport and beyond to the Thai border. The Siem Reap River (Stung
Siem Reap) flows north-south through the centre of town, and has enough bridges that
you won't have to worry too much about being on the wrong side. As in Phnom Penh,
however, street numbering is haphazard to say the least, so take care when hunting down
specific addresses.
Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom are only 6km and 8km north of town, respectively.
Buses and share taxis usually drop passengers off at the bus station/taxi park about 3km
east of the town centre, from where it's a short moto or remork-moto (tuk-tuk) ride to
nearby guesthouses and hotels. Fast boats from Phnom Penh and Battambang arrive at Ph-
nom Krom, about 11km south of town, and most places to stay include a free transfer by
moto or minibus. Siem Reap International Airport is 7km west of town and there are
plenty of taxis and motos available for transfers to the town centre.
Information
Pick up a copy of the Siem Reap Angkor Visitors Guide ( www.canbypublications.com ),
which is packed with listings and comes out quarterly. Check out Drinking and Dining for
the low-down on bars and restaurants, or Out and About for shops and services, both pro-
duced by Pocket Guide Cambodia ( www.cambodiapocketguide.com ) and widely available.
DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
Siem Reap is a pretty safe city, even at night. However, if you rent a bike, don't keep your
bag in the basket, as it will be easy pickings for a drive-by snatch. Likewise, lone females
should try to walk home with travelling companions when leaving late-night spots, partic-
ularly if heading through poorly lit areas.
There are a lot of commission scams in Siem Reap that involve certain guesthouses and
small hotels paying moto and taxi drivers to deliver guests. Ways to avoid these scams in-
clude booking ahead via the internet and arranging a pick-up, or sticking with a partner
guesthouse if you are coming from Phnom Penh. Alternatively, just go with the flow and
negotiate with the hotel or guesthouse on arrival.
There are a lot of beggars around town and some visitors quickly develop beggar fa-
tigue. However, try to remember that with no social-security network and no government
Search WWH ::




Custom Search