FCC Angkor Siem Reap - The Adventure Travel Site

Experience Angkor Wat — Learn all About the Famous Temple

Cambodia’s greatest treasure is Angkor Wat. As the largest religious complex in the world, Angkor Wat has a story everywhere you turn.

Interesting history

Do you know that Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century as a massive Hindu temple complex? However, by the end of the 12th century, the site had gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple. This change occurred as the religious landscape of the Khmer Empire shifted.

Sunrise Views

The temple is glorious at any time of the day, but to witness its real beauty, nothing beats a sunrise visit to Angkor Wat. Hotels around the area, such as FCC Angkor Siem Reap and the like, are located within easy reach of the temple. Don’t forget your camera!

Tickets and entry

Since Angkor Wat is such a huge complex, tickets range from one-day to three-day tickets, giving visitors enough time to explore the complex. You can decide if you’d like to finish viewing the temple complex in a day or take it slow. You can also purchase the tickets online, well in advance.

Attire when visiting

As Angkor Wat is a religious complex, it is imperative to dress decently. This means both men and women have to keep their shoulders and knees covered. Opt for breathable fabrics and comfortable shoes.

Hidden Gems in Siem Reap You Must Explore — Brimming with untamed nature, intricate artistry, and serene waters

Cambodia is one of Asia’s best-kept secrets. Siem Reap offers plenty of unexplored sides waiting to be explored.

Banteay Srei

Widely known as the jewel of Khmer art, Banteay Srei is a 10th-century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. You can still see the faded, rare, rose-pink sandstone used to build this temple. The best time to visit this temple is in the late afternoon, just as the sun retires, casting its glow on the intricate three-dimensional carvings across the walls.

Phnom Kulen National Park

To discover where the empire began, make the one-hour journey from FCC Angkor Siem Reap to Phnom Kulen National Park. Featuring a stunning, three-tiered jungle waterfall, this sacred mountain landscape is perfect for a day out. Nearby, you can walk along the River of a Thousand Lingas.

Sra Sang

Sra Sang is a massive 10th-century royal reservoir – a perfect addition to your unique itinerary. Sra Sang is often overlooked but offers a peaceful setting to those looking for exactly that. Make use of the many FCC Angkor offers to witness the perfect, uncrowded alternative for watching the sky change colours over still waters.

Kompong Khleang

Kompong Khleang offers an authentic glimpse into rural lakeside life. One of its many wonders is the towering stilt houses that soar up to ten metres high to withstand seasonal flooding. Because it is untouched by mass tourism, making this journey is wholly worth it.

Angkor Thom for Families — Making Temple Visits Easy and Enjoyable

You might think that visiting Angkor Thom with kids is a bit too ambitious, but this ancient walled city is actually one of the most family-friendly archaeological sites you’ll find in Southeast Asia. With its narrow paths to explore and centuries of fascinating stories hidden in every carved wall, it truly captures the imagination of children far more than most people expect.

Start with a Pool and a Plan

It’s really hot in Siem Reap, especially at Angkor, so being able to return to a pool is such a relief. Opting for a hotel in Siem Reap City with a pool means the kids have something to look forward to after a busy morning of sightseeing, which definitely helps keep the whole family in a good mood throughout the day.

Go Early, Go Calm

Get to the temples early, and you’ll find yourself enjoying mostly empty sites before the midday sun starts blazing. Places like FCC Angkor Siem Reap are ideally situated for early risers, so you can easily make your way to the temple complex without any hassle.

Let the Story Lead

Imagine the ancient trees at Ta Prohm, their roots wrapping around the stones, secret rooms just waiting to be found, and beautiful carvings with stories to uncover. If you dive into the history of the Khmer Kingdom together before you go, it turns your visit into a thrilling treasure hunt rather than a boring history lesson, making sure the kids stay genuinely interested.

Break It Up with Adventure

Just a short drive from the temples, Angkor Zipline lets families experience the thrill of soaring over the jungle canopy. It’s the perfect midday break that not only excites the kids but also gives parents a chance to unwind for the rest of the day. With a three-day pass, you can take your time and explore at a leisurely pace without feeling rushed.

Unveiling Adventure: Top Spots for Trekking near Siem Reap

Siem Reap, Cambodia, is a gateway to the magnificent Angkor Wat temples. But beyond these architectural wonders lie hidden gems waiting to be explored by foot. Here’s a glimpse into some of the top trekking destinations near Siem Reap.

Kulen Mountain Waterfall Trek

Kulen Mountain Waterfall in Siem Reap | Image via *Wikimedia Commons*

Escape the hustle and bustle with a trek to Kulen Mountain National Park. Hike through lush rainforests, encountering hidden waterfalls and refreshing pools. The cascading Kulen Waterfall, a centrepiece of the trek, offers a chance to cool off and soak in the beauty of nature. This moderate trek is perfect for those seeking a scenic escape close to a hotel in Siem Reap the likes of FCC Angkor Siem Reap.

Beng Mealea

For the adventurous soul, a trek to Beng Mealea, an ancient temple complex, offers a glimpse into forgotten history. This “abandoned Angkor” is shrouded in mystery, overgrown by jungle and teeming with wildlife. The challenging trek rewards you with the sight of a captivating temple complex, untouched by extensive restoration efforts.

Explore Local Villages and Farmlands

Immerse yourself in Cambodian culture with a trek through traditional villages and farmlands. Witness the rural way of life, interact with friendly locals, and learn about their customs and traditions. This easy-to-moderate trek offers a chance to appreciate the beauty of the Cambodian countryside and connect with its people.

Combine Trekking with Wildlife Watching

For nature enthusiasts, a trek through Phnom Krom offers a unique combination of adventure and wildlife spotting. Hike through dense forests, keeping an eye out for gibbons, hornbills, and other fascinating creatures. This moderate trek culminates in breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes, making it a truly rewarding experience.

Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre

Situated about 23 kilometres from Siem Reap, the Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre is certainly a place that one is bound to enjoy! It is a definite stopover when on your tour to Angkor Wat. Learn a thing or two about the delicate little magical butterflies!

Image credit: Sneha Abhyankar via wikimedia commons

How to get there?

If you are planning on visiting the butterfly farm and are travelling from one of the Angkor Wat hotels, the place is just a 41-minute drive away from properties like FCC Angkor Siem Reap. The drive to the farm is pretty enjoyable. You will pass by little Cambodian villages where the road comes to life with basket weavers and palm sugar vendors selling their items.

Entrance fee

The entrance fee is not much, $5 for adults and $2 for children under the age of 12, children under 3 walk in free. It is best to visit in the morning hours as the butterflies are mostly out during this time. A trip to the farm on a rainy day though will be pointless.

The Banteay Srey Butterfly Farm

Guess you can say that this is where the butterflies come out to play! The guides here are well versed on the subject, however, their English might be a little difficult to understand. This farm actually exports butterfly pupae and hosts butterfly exhibitions in zoos all over the world!

The butterfly cycle

On your tour of the farm, each stage of the butterfly life cycle will be explained to you. The guide will also give you a glimpse of each stage of the cycle. Butterfly eggs, caterpillars and even cocoons have been put into climate-controlled containers. Furthermore, you can learn about the various types of Cambodian butterflies as well.

The History of Angkor Wat

The temples were originally constructed in dedication to the god Vishnu and then converted into a Buddhist temple circa the 14th century. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage that a lot of effort is spent on preserving for the future.

The Largest City in the World

Many guests that stay in Angkor Wat hotels and make sure to head over to see the ruins at sunrise. The city of Angkor was once the capital of the Khmer empire and contains hundreds of temples and was home to a population of over one million people.

The Architecture

Angkor Wat is 200 metres wide with a perimeter of about 3 miles. The moat is 4 metres deep and was probably constructed to make sure that the foundations of the temple remain strong.

Vishnu and King

Angkor Wat was built by Suryavarman II; a usurper who came to power after murdering his uncle. He venerated Vishnu and wanted to build the god a temple. Signs of devotion are all over the temple, some of them surviving till today.

Construction Techniques

If you are staying locally at a hotel like FCC Angkor Siem Reap, be sure to visit the temple at sunrise or sunset to get the best photos and really appreciate the construction techniques that were used centuries ago.

The celestial temple of Angkor

Phimeanakas is a small, laterite Hindu temple and it takes the shape of a three-stepped pyramid. In addition to the temple, there are several things to see such as the pools which have been used for different tasks back in the day.

Entrance gopura

It’s the main entrance to the temple which consists of a gopura building. The building has a central entrance door and a single tower on top. Gorgeous indeed!

The 03 steep tiers

This pyramid temple is a popular attraction in the city, especially to the travellers staying in hotels in Siem Reap, Cambodia mainly because of its unique shape. There are three steep tiers of a diminishing size which have guardian elephant statues at each of their corners.

On top of the pyramid

You find a platform surrounded by small galleries on the top of this pyramid and at the centre of this platform, there are ruins of a small cruciform sanctuary.

The Phimeanakas stele

If you stay at hotels such as FCC Angkor Siem Reap during your holidays and are looking for some good options that will help you discover more about the history of the city, this attraction is ideal not only because the small temple takes an impressive shape; but also because you find treasures like the stele here, which reveals some wealthy information of a past king.