Siem Reap in northwest Cambodia was virtually unknown to Western cultures until Henri Mouhot, a French naturalist, explored the ruins of the Angkor region in 1860. This triggered an influx of curiosity seekers. Today, more than two million tourists visit this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site. They all stay at “Temple Town,” a nickname given to Siem Reap. Its actual name translates to “Defeat of Siam,” a reference to the 16th century battles between the Khmer and Siamese Empires. This city of about 250,000 residents is worth an extra day or two to explore for its own merits.
