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temple town
FAHTHAI
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IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES
B E Y O N D
T E M P L E
V I
S I
T S
SiemReap is often dismissed as little more
than a gateway to AngkorWat, but this vibrant
Cambodian city is well worth exploring
W O R D S
V I C K I W I L L I A M S
S
ome cities are so closely linked to
one iconic structure that they’re
practically defined by it. For Paris,
it’s The Eiffel Tower. For Sydney,
it’s the Opera House. And for Agra,
it’s the Taj Mahal. While these landmarks are
unmissable, they’re not the be-all and end-all
for visitors. The same is true of Siem Reap and
Angkor Wat. The temple complex is undoubtedly
awe-inspiring, but the city through which visitors
typically pass en route to Angkor Wat is more
than a mere gateway. Once you’ve made the
most of your visit to the temple city, spend some
time getting to know Siem Reap, whose colonial
architecture, marketplace, museums and cultural
village make it a worthy destination in itself. Here
are a few suggestions to get you started...
