The Cambodian Cultural Village allows visitors the chance to explore the diverse culture of Cambodia. The scaled down representations of the country’s main attractions means travelers can see all the sights in one day.
The site is divided into 11 villages which represent the various cultural heritages and characteristics of the 19 races residing in Cambodia. Each village is unique and offers visitors the chance to experience different elements of the local culture, such as dance, boxing and traditional wedding ceremonies.
Aside from viewing architectural styles from different eras, visitors can put faces to the names of the country’s most prominent figures in the wax museum. More than 30 wax statues provide insight into Cambodia’s history, from the 1st century to present-day society. It’s hardly Madame Tussauds, but it does bring the country’s history to life.
Visitors can view a wide variety of shows, ranging from acrobatics to traditional dance, showcasing Cambodia’s impressive arts scene. Cambodian craftspeople are also well known for their skill and artistic abilities, so the Carving Workshop is worth a visit. Here, you will find carvers chipping away at stone, wood and silver to create stunning design pieces.
In brief
What is it? A presentation of the various elements of Cambodian culture in one compact site.
Opening hours: 09:00 to 21:00, daily.
Entrance fees: US$9.
Address/website*: www.cambodianculturalvillage.com/index.php.
Where: close to the airport in Siem Reap.
How to get there: from Angkor temples travel along Stung Siem Reap Street for four kilometers and turn onto Airport Road Number Six. Follow the signs and watch out for the Cultural Village on the left side of this road.