The gateway to Angkor, a vast forest of temples where trees grow through the ruins, plus floating villages and a buzzing night market. Here's what Siem Reap is like, when to go and how long to stay.
US dollars are used everywhere alongside riel, so bring clean, untorn notes. Temple passes are bought online or at the official ticket office. Check entry rules on GOV.UK before you book.
Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
November to February is best, dry and a little cooler, though it's also the busiest. March to May is very hot. The rainy season from June to October brings afternoon storms, lush scenery, full moats and far fewer visitors, and the floating villages are at their best.
The largest religious building in the world. Sunrise is famous, but midday is often quieter inside.
The temple where giant tree roots grip the stones, left half-wild.
A temple of over 200 serene stone faces in the heart of Angkor Thom.
A small pink sandstone temple with incredibly fine carvings, about 40 minutes out.
Boat trips to stilt and floating villages on Southeast Asia's largest lake.
A brilliant, high-energy circus by young Cambodian performers.
Street food, fish amok and fresh fruit shakes after a day at the temples.
Two or three days is ideal, with a three-day pass. One day covers the big three, Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm, but it's a long, hot day.
November to February, when it's dry and around 30 to 34°C. The rainy season is quieter and very green.
Fly into the new Siem Reap-Angkor International airport from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Phnom Penh. It's about 50 minutes from town by shuttle bus or taxi.
Hire a tuk-tuk and driver for the day, which is cheap and comfortable. Cycling and electric bikes work well for the closer temples.
Most visitors need one. Get an e-Visa online before you fly, or a visa on arrival at the airport. Check GOV.UK for the current rules.
Put Siem Reap on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.