What Not To Do in Siem Reap
- Jon Elkins
- Jun 11, 2018
- 2 min read
There are hundreds of amazing things to see and do in and around Siem Reap, many of them are featured on this site. We dedicate this article to some of the things that are best avoided.
CHONG KNEAS FLOATING VILLAGE
Visiting a floating village on the Tonle Sap lake is a very popular experience. Chong Kneas is the closest to Siem Reap but is also the worst. You will encounter begging children, scams, some sad-looking crocodiles and a tacky buffet restaurant.
The entrance fee is high and little of the money raised actually goes to the local community. This is definitely a trip to miss off of your itinerary.
VISITING AN ORPHANAGE
Many well-meaning tourists have considered visiting an orphanage while in Cambodia. Unfortunately they may, in some cases, be doing more harm than good. The profits involved have led to fake orphanages being created.
The effect of regular groups of tourists entering a school can be very distracting for the children’s education and reports show short-term visits can cause harm to a child's development and emotional well-being.
While visiting tourists will be encouraged to donate rice for the children, normally at a cost of about $60, once you have gone they will often return the rice to the shop and pocket the money.
SMILE OF ANGKOR SHOW
This is a cultural performance show aimed mainly at Chinese tourists. Many unsuspecting tourists end up here believing it to be a traditional Cambodian Apsara dance performance. In fact the show is a jumble of flashing lights, acrobatics and the sounds of Cambodian tails being blasted out of a loudspeaker. The technology and props give the whole thing a distinctly tacky feel and it's hard to work out what is actually going on through much of the performance.
The price is high and the connected Chinese style buffet restaurant is also known for its poor quality food. For a cultural stop in Siem Reap then Phare - the Cambodian Circus is a recommended option.
ELEPHANT RIDING AT ANGKOR
Unfortunately the elephants at Angkor are not always treated that well and are overworked. Each year elephants die from exhaustion and overwork and in 2016 it was widely reported that an elephant called Sambo, who worked at Angkor, had died while carrying tourists in 40 degree heat.
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