With everything there is to see during the day around Siem Reap, there is usually not much energy left by the time evening comes around. My friends and I used to take a short rest during late afternoon and then leisurely explore the nearby 2 Thnoc street and its neighbourhood in the evening. Here are our six favourite things to do in Siem Reap in the evenings.
- Pamper your feet with a reflexology foot massage.
After all the walking during the day, we felt our tired feet needed to be indulged especially as foot massages were so affordable. We tried out a different spa on 2 Thnoc street each day but liked best Bodia Spa, above U-Care pharmacy.
2. Shop at Senteurs d’Angkor on 2 Thnoc street.
My favourite shop on this street was Senteurs d’Angkor. The place not only smelled lovely, it had lots of bath products as well as a range of spices. Great place for some souvenirs.
Source: Senteurs d’Angkor
- Visit Artisans Angkor
Artisans Angkor considers itself a social business. This company began as a project for providing skills training to youth from communities with limited educational opportunities. Since the company was formed in the late 90s, it has opened 43 workshops in Siem Reap providing employment to 1300 people. The handicraft showroom we visited was on Stung Thmey street and had lots of wood statues, lacquered sculptures etc. I bought some lovely silk scarves here.
Source: Artisans Angkor
- Eat at Pub Street
We enjoyed trying out different cafes on this street packed with restaurants and cafes. The place was always crowded during evenings with loud music blasting from different restaurants.
Source: Shelley Graner @ Plans Subject To Change
- Explore Angkor night market where you can buy souvenirs and try street food.
On the last evening of our stay in Siem Reap, we visited the Angkor night market which, according to its website, is the first night market in Cambodia. The night market, open from 4pm till midnight, had different stalls selling souvenirs and handicrafts as well as food and drinks. I bought several krama, traditional Cambodian scarf, here.
- Take a trishaw ride across the city to see Siem Reap in the evenings
We enjoyed taking the trishaw ride from our guesthouse and going for a ride around the city in the evenings. It is a lovely way to enjoy seeing parts of the city which you would not have time to visit.
Bonus: I did like River Garden, the place we stayed at in Siem Reap. We had booked two rooms and were given a sort of two storey mini chalet to ourselves. The breakfast provided each morning was delicious.
I did lose something of great sentimental value to my mother and me here though. After my road traffic accident, my mother gave me her special mini Annai Velankanni statue to take with me on my travels. I generally take out the palm sized luminescent mini statue and keep it in a place visible to me so that I would remember to repack it in my bags. However, I forgot to repack it when I left Siem Reap and the little statue after being in my family for nearly twenty years was lost. I wrote to the staff at River Garden but I received the reply that they had not found it in my room. My mother was quite upset about it but I hope that someone who needed the protection of Annai Velankanni more has it with her or him now.
Have you lost anything of great sentimental value to you during your travels? If you have visited Siem Reap, what was your favourite place to visit in the evenings?
[I am linking this post to
*Monday Escapes #42, hosted by Packing my Suitcase and My Travel Monkey
**City Tripping #42, hosted by Wander Mum and Mummy Travels]
Perspectives Quilt 
Looks really tasty, and sounds like you had fun! Thanks for the post
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Thank you, Dave. Yes, the breakfast at River Garden was always delicious.
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So sad to read about the loss of your statue. I’ve lost so many things while travelling over the years that I don’t even keep track of them anymore, but never something that precious 😦
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Well, Michelle, I simply try to think that the statue has moved on to the hands of someone who needed it more.
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Never been to Siem Reap but Artisans Angkor would be my pick. Sorry to hear about the statue, pity the hotel couldn’t find it. 😦
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Artisans Angkor is a lovely place and I liked it that they were trying to link skills development to income generation in a sustainable manner.
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Somewhere I’ve never been but would love to, and definitely sounds with conserving some energy for the evening to explore these. What a shame about your statue though. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
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It was a shame that I was careless with something that meant much to my mother, but I just try to think of it as it being with someone who needs it more.
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I could get to enjoy foot massages every night 🙂 Sorry to hear about the statue – I can imagine how upsetting it must have been. #citytrippinh
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I was upset at that time, my mother more so, but I try to think of things I lose or miss as being in the hands of someone who needs it more.
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We are planing to visit Cambodia next year. Looks amazing. Thank you for the tips. If you will have time, it will be great if you can join TRAVEL INSPIRATION link up on my blog.
Anna xoxo
http://www.flostenparadise.com
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Thank you, Anna. I am sure you are going to love your travels around Cambodia!
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I have wanted to visit Cambodia since I was about 11 – I love this post for reigniting that longing!
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Hope you visit Cambodia soon then!
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I haven’t lost anything of sentimental value but I have lost other small items that were easily (and not so easily replaced Siem Reap looks fabulous and I want to go there.
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Hope you get to visit Siem Reap soon then, Rhonda!
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This bought back great memories of our time in Siem Reap and the Khmer food particularly.
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Glad that this post brought back lovely memories of Siem Reap, Paula. The Khmer food is delicious, isn’t it?
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I love the idea of this post, what to do in the evenings….and I want to do them all. I miss traveling in Asia for all the things you can do at all hours of the day.
Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration!
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Thank you for your lovely comment, Corinne. Perhaps it is time for you to plan a visit to Asia 🙂
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Siem Reap looks a bit more lively than we visited around 2005. I’m glad to see it. I bought a nice evening bag at Artisans angkor that I still use. But then they were only in Siem Reap, so happy to hear they are thriving. it’s a great idea. So sorry about your statue; that is upsetting! #wkendtravelinspiration.
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My visit to Siem Reap was at the end of 2009 so it is probably even more lively now 🙂 Lovely to hear that you also liked Artisans Angkor very much.
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When my kids were younger, I’d always be afraid that we’d lose one of their beloved stuffed animals when we traveled. I’ve enjoyed some of these Siem Reap places myself. They are excellent suggestions. I could really use a cheap reflexology foot massage right now.
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Thank you, Michele. I can understand your being anxious of losing a beloved stuff animal of the kids while traveling. Hope you did not actually lose one during a travel.
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I’d go for the reflexology foot massage and then for a wonderful dinner. Nothing beats the food in Siem Reap!
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