Already visited the breathtaking Angkor Wat and looking for budget friendly activities in town to keep you busy for a few hours? If you love nature and plants, look no further than the Angkor Botanical Gardens Siem Reap.
Angkor Botanical Gardens Siem Reap is a completely FREE activity that’s family friendly and suitable for people of all ages. Located on Preah Sihanouk Avenue on the way to the Angkor Wat temple complex, this is definitely one of our favourite things to do in Siem Reap that won’t break the bank. A tuktuk from the Pub Street area will take roughly 8-10 minutes and should cost $1-2. CLICK HERE for a Google Maps location if you intend to make your own way there!
Angkor Botanical Gardens Siem Reap is open 8am-6pm daily, and is closed on Mondays.
Parking is available for cars and motorbikes across the road for 1000 riel ($0.25).
Built on a 14 hectare site, the Angkor Botanical Gardens were previously known at the Angkor Spice Gardens. Lots of work has been put into improving this beautiful area and that work is definitely paying off. Entrance is completely free, though you’ll be directed to scan a QR code to like or join one of their various social media pages or their Telegram update channel, a trade off we think is more than fair!
To reduce waste and litter at the site, plastic bottles must be left at the entrance.
Throughout the site you’ll walk through various garden areas, such as the herb and medicinal gardens or the Khmer inspirational gardens. There is over 200 species of plant within the grounds and many of them are named with placards so you can find out more about the beautiful plants you’re looking at. The Angkor Botanical Gardens Siem Reap site itself is well mapped and signposted, directing you to the various areas so don’t worry about getting lost!
Angkor Botanical Gardens Siem Reap is not just plants though! It’s also home to a wildlife area where you can get up close and personal with ostriches, turtles, peacocks, and geese! If you’d like, you can also purchase bird feed on site for the small price of 1000 riel ($0.25) and feed the animals yourself! Definitely a great activity to keep the kids occupied while you take in the beauty of the gardens.
There is also several fish ponds around the site that are inhabited by large Koi fish, which you can also feed if you purchase some fish feed, which can be found right at the main entrance to the gardens. This alone can keep you entertained for ages as you watch the fish come to get their dinner!
If you’re a fan of butterflies (who isn’t?!) then you’ll be pleased to know that the wide array of plants attracts many species of butterfly which can be seen happily floating around the gardens. If you’re lucky, you might get a great selfie with one, or a shot of the butterflies flying in front of the hobbit hole door!
There is a cafe on site (the Rukha Cafe) where you can purchase food, drinks and fresh juices to enjoy while surrounded by the peaceful scenery. There is also a small strip of stalls set up amongst the gardens where you can purchase locally produced foods such as dried mango or cashew nuts! There is also stalls selling souvenirs, or books about plants and all of the nature that you can find in Cambodia.
Angkor Botanical Gardens Siem Reap also has a small library containing books that you can enjoy, especially books about plants of course! A nice way to spend some time on a sunny afternoon after you’ve taken in all of the various plants and water features that are on offer. There is frequently exhibitions or activities on offer, such as a mini archery range that’s sure to make sure the kids are having fun!
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