Siem Reap, a well-known destination with any tourists, is a province with the interlacing of a modern and an ancient one not only because it near Angkor Wat, one of Seven Wonders of the World but also because the glorious of its history. Siem Reap province, located in northwest Cambodia, is the major tourist hub in Cambodia, as it is the closest city to the world famous temples of Angkor. The provincial capital is also called Siem Reap and is located in the South of the province on the shores of the Tonle Sap Lake, the greatest sweet water reserve in whole Southeast Asia. The name of the city literally means Siamese defeated, associating with the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai kingdom in the 17th century.
In the past, Siem Reap was a quiet place with lack of facilities and transportations as well as entertainment activities. But now, Siem Reap turned into another province, a newly-developed one.Huge,expensive hotels have sprung up everywhere and budget hotels have been built uprapidly.The revenue of the hotel business has been rocketing as well as the development of tourism and this has turned Siem Reap into a brand-new potential province like nowadays.
However, behind the prime of the business and tourism, there are many contrasts in Cambodia in general and in Siem Reap in particular. A great numbers of citizens are living in poverty and difficulty earning a livelihood of their own.
Although some major problems are remained in Siem Reap, this province is stills a ideal, friendly and safe tourist destination to any visitor, an endless choice of places to stay or dine and a host of possible activities awaiting anyone.
