Siem Reap, Tourism center in Northwestern Cambodia
Siem Reap is a city in Northwestern Cambodia that serves as the main gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park. Street markets line the sidewalks alongside guesthouses, restaurants, and handicraft shops in the downtown area.
French colonial officials built roads and administrative buildings in the early 20th century after Angkor became accessible to visitors. The city grew following Cambodia's independence in 1953 and recovered after the conflicts of the 1970s and 1980s.
The city's name means "defeat of Siam," recalling battles between the Khmer and Thai kingdoms. Local residents still celebrate traditional water festivals and temple ceremonies throughout the year.
Visitors move around mostly by tuk-tuk, motorbike taxi, or rented bicycle. Most hotels and guesthouses sit near the night market and Pub Street quarter in the city center.
Floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake sit about an hour's drive away, where entire communities live in stilt houses above the water. Boat trips reveal schools, shops, and churches that all rise and fall with the water level.
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