Whenever I stroll around Angkor Wat or the Bayon Temple and bump into holidaymakers, a common sentiment always emerges: “I wish I knew… I would have planned to stay here longer.”
Unfortunately, when planning their Southeast Asian getaways, many travelers are still guided by outdated stereotypes. They follow itineraries that treat Siem Reap as a mere excursion with a quick stop between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, and the beaches of Thailand. In backpacker circles, this is the “Banana Pancake Trail.” While it remains a worthy route, it is well-travelled and often overlooks how Siem Reap has evolved over the past decade into a singular destination of choice offering unmatched value.
Decades ago, Siem Reap was a quaint town with one iconic star attraction. Information beyond the main complex was limited, roads were horrid, and the primary alternative attraction was Pub Street.
When I first arrived in Cambodia in 2017, I did what everyone does: I headed to Angkor Wat and toured the Small and Grand Circuits. At that time, there was very little information online about exploring further; Google was about as useful as a fork alongside a bowl of soup. There was just nothing.
This website was born in that vacuum, as was my first guidebook, Essential Siem Reap. It provided the basics: the main temples, the tour circuits, and things to do in the city and beyond. Since there was almost nothing else dedicated purely to Siem Reap, people found it incredibly useful. The book was updated for 2018/2019, but the planned 2020/21 update was sidelined when we all “got the flu” and stayed home for several years. I had hoped to update it for 2023/24, but I instead dedicated that time to deeper travel and producing Ancient Cambodia.
In hindsight, I’m glad it worked out that way. Producing Ancient Cambodia pushed me into rigorous archival research and much deeper exploration than I had done previously. That work ethic became my foundation, waking up at 6:00 AM and finishing at 9:00 PM while researching and writing. Meanwhile, explorations in between were “slow travel” in its purest form: stopping at every pagoda and trekking to every archaeological site in the vicinity, sometimes discovering very little, but more often finding genuine wonder.
During this same period, Siem Reap was growing rapidly. New roads made remote attractions and charismatic villages accessible, while the city center moved beyond Pub Street to offer a range of sophisticated cultural experiences. Additions like the Angkor Wonder Garden, Botanical Garden, and the Wildlife & Aquarium have added immense depth to the region’s attractions. Furthermore, the new airport is set to open more direct flights to international destinations.
The timing is finally right for this update. Siem Reap is no longer just a stopover; it is a destination in its own right, whether for a two-week family holiday or a month-long adventure among ancient wonders. It is my firm belief that Siem Reap now stands as one of the world’s top-tier archaeological destinations, alongside the Giza Plateau and Ancient Rome.
Six years after the last update, the latest edition of Essential Siem Reap is here. This year, I have released two distinct versions:
- Essential Siem Reap – City & Temples: Intended for travellers staying one to two weeks.
- Essential Siem Reap – Explorer Edition: Designed for long-stay and repeat visitors. This is a reference that will serve you well for a year or more.
In either book, you won’t find romanticism or hyperbole, just actionable, factual data. The City & Temples edition covers the Angkor complexes, circuits, transport, things to do, floating villages, markets, local food, and culture. The Explorer Edition includes all of that but goes much further, blurring the lines between an archaeological guide, a history book, and a travel companion rooted in real-world exploration.
For more details and example pages, see here.
Why write two? The City & Temples edition is the successor to the 2017 original, and I want to maintain that legacy for first-time visitors. However, there is so much more to this province. I know I’m not the only one who loves following trails to find ancient sites rarely visited by anyone but locals. The Explorer Edition opens up those possibilities, diving deeper into culture, local history, Buddhist beliefs, and more. One of my favourite features is the Pagoda Trail, which covers heritage pagodas across the province, and it is a fantastic way to glimpse the true character of daily life in this amazing land.
Are books still relevant? While this website carries much of this information, it is fragmented. A book is tailored for the on-the-go traveler, formatted into clear categories that put everything at your fingertips. Plus, no batteries are required :).
Why not an app? Apps struggle to present this volume of information with the same clarity. Moreover, there is a simple charm to turning pages that feels more intuitive than a digital interface. While a “lite” partner app may arrive in 2028, the pairing of the website and the physical book remains the best tool for most.
Both books are available on Amazon or via order through major bookstores. Please feel free to get in touch with any questions!
Get the Ultimate Passport to Exploring Siem Reap
Essential Siem Reap - City & Temples 2026
Designed especially for short-term visitors, packed with local info and deeper insight, this guide puts you on the fast track to ticking off the city’s highlights & attractions, and local foods, with comprehensive info on the must-see temples of ancient Angkor. Read More
Essential Siem Reap - Explorer Edition 2026
Written for history explorers, culture seekers, and long-stay adventurers alike. It includes everything in Essential Siem Reap, plus expanded details on history, ancient art, architecture, all the remote temple highlights found in the outer districts, and more. Read More