How to Explore Cambodia's Temple of Cool
Overwhelmed by the Angkor Wat–seeking tourists in Siem Reap? Head for the hushed shops, pampering spas, and local eats of Hup Guan Street.
Hap Guan St, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Don’t miss the body and beard oils, scented with ingredients like ylang ylang, sandalwood and vetiver. But the real stars at Saarti, a planet-friendly skin-care and home decor shop, are the scented candles. Made from soy wax, they come in aluminum...
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Never mind that The Little Red Fox Espresso is run by two Aussies. The café is resolutely local, serving beans from Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Sip your iced lemongrass-and-ginger latte and ask your barista about the café’s monthly art exhibits...
24 Hap Guan St, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
There’s no shortage of options for relaxation in Siem Reap, but the serene Frangipani Spa is the most refined of the bunch. Get a four-hand massage, a jade stone facial, or a kampot pepper scrub surrounded by petals from the spa’s pretty namesake...
Street 13, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Run by two Khmer sisters, Baktouk Food House, located directly behind the concept shop Trunkh, offers a taste of Cambodian cuisine. Heat up with meatballs served over grilled cabbage in a chili garlic sauce, then cool down with a tekok chhos,...
7 Hap Guan St, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Swing by Louise Loubatieres for Southeast Asian curiosities with a high-design polish. The owner (the Louise behind the name) is a French-Vietnamese designer with an eye for colorful lacquered coconut bowls, tie-dyed silk scarves and bracelets...
Phare Circus Ring Rd, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Don’t say no to the handheld fan offered at the entrance to Phare Circus, a big top 20 minutes from Hup Guan by tuk-tuk. The temperatures beneath the tent can be as hot as the show, an extravaganza that combines Cambodian culture and history,...
