What Else Is There To See Near Siem Riep, The Cambodian Town Near Angkor Wat?

Siem Riep is an oasis of tourist attractions in a rural area of extreme poverty. Yes, this has resulted in a lot of unchecked commercialism, but it is still a charming town.
The Siem Riep River runs through the town, and a stroll along its paved walkway offers a view of boat-traffic life. There are many mansions left over from the days of when Cambodia was a French colony on streets off of the river.
A visit to the Grand Hotel Angkor, built in the early 1930s, is a look at sumptuous leisure travel of yore. Nearby are the restful formal Royal Gardens. On their south side is a shrine to the sister deities Preah Ang Chek and Preah Ang Chom with bronze statues of the sisters.
Near the statues in a traffic circle a the base of a huge tree is a shrine to Ya Tep, a spirit believed to bring protection and luck to Siem Riep. Look for offerings to him.
Psar Chas, or Old Market, consists of colonial-era shops selling souvenirs with a large produce section in back. Wat Bo is the oldest of Siem Riep's temples, dating to the 18th century. It is a mixture of traditional Cambodian and French colonial architecture. Its courtyard is jammed with small chedi, temples containing the cremains of people who donated to the wat's upkeep.
Many visitors to Siem Riep take a boat trip out to the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake, which provides water for all of central Cambodia.
Outside of Phnom Penh, Siem Riep is one of the few places that offers traditional-Cambodian dance shows. The Angkor Village Hotel has reasonably priced dinner (about $25) shows at its Apsara Theater.

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