Dali Ancient City became a well-known tourist destination around the world

Dali Ancient Town is about 13km away from Xiaguan in Dali City and is one of Dali’s Three Ancients-ancient city, ancient pagoda and ancient steles. History of Dali can be dates back to 1382 during the Ming Dynasty and it has been listed among the top historic cities of China.

 
Experienced four thousand years history, the time-honored Dali City was the center of politics, economy, and cultures in Yunnan Province. During that period, Dali became a focal point for gathering cultural information of Bai People and ethnic minorities. For this reason, Dali has converged cultures of central plains, Nationality. A famous movie named "five golden-flower beauties" impressively displayed the typical Dali features, together with a novel "Heaven Dragon The Eight Episode," Dali Ancient City became a well-known tourist destination around the world. Welcome to China, Chinatourguide.com is pleasure to provide service for your China tours, We also provide Thailand tour packages or Cambodia tour packages.

According to descriptions of literature，Dali Old Town was a gateway to the Silk Road in Southwest China，and also served as a seat of government and a major military barracks for Yunnan Province in ancient times. It enjoyed magnificent scale，with a wall length of 6 kilometers，a height of 7.5 meters and a thickness of 6 meters. There were four city gates facing four directions，upon which sat gate towers. The city layout was uniform，with five main streets from south to north and eight main streets from east to west，while marketplaces were neatly arranged within the city，which has remained unchanged to this date.

Wat TraiMit houses the world's biggest gold Buddha image

Wat TraiMit is located at the end of Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road near the Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lam Phong). This temple is known for its famous Golden Buddha, constructed during the Sukhothai period. The beautiful image of pure gold is three meters high and weighs five and a half tons. Wat TraiMit houses the world's biggest gold Buddha image, persumably 700 to 800 years old. It is a valuable treasure of Thailand and of Buddhism. Local worshipers worship here and rub gold leaf on the wat's other smaller Buddha images to make merit. Indochinatourguide is pleased to offer great service in your Thailand Tour.

The actual temple has little architectural merit, but off to its side is a small chapel containing the world's largest solid-gold Buddha, cast about nine centuries ago in the Sukhothai style. Weighing 5? tons and standing 10 feet high, the statue is a symbol of strength and power that can inspire even the most jaded person. It's believed that the statue was brought first to Ayutthaya. When the Burmese were about to sack the city, it was covered in plaster. Two centuries later, still in plaster, it was thought to be worth very little; when it was being moved to a new Bangkok temple in the 1950s it slipped from a crane and was simply left in the mud by the workmen. In the morning, a temple monk who had dreamed that the statue was divinely inspired went to see the Buddha image. Through a crack in the plaster he saw a glint of yellow, and soon discovered that the statue was pure gold. There is also an excellent museum that follows the history of the Tha Chinese that is highly worth visiting.
Traimit’s temple building comprises four levels. One of the levels contains a museum, which explains the origin and history of The Golden Buddha. When I visited Traimit, the museum was displaying an exhibition about Chinese immigrants in Thailand.

Bayon Temple is a temple which is very famous

Bayon Temple is a temple which is very famous with its very old and there are many wonderful sculpture. Located in the North to South and East to West of Angkor, in Cambodia. This temple was built in the 12th century and was built in the late 12th century or early Mahayana Buddhism as the King Jayavarman VII, the Temple stands at the Centre of the capital Jayavarman’s, Angkor Thom. After the death of Jayavarman’s, and modified and augmented by the Kings of Hindus and Buddhists. Bayon Temple is famous for the great stone face, with one facing out and maintain at each point. And most typical feature set is a collection of rock faces and a massive tower that led to many of the top terrace and cluster around the Summit. Indochinatourguide is pleased to offer great service in your Cambodia Tour, like 5 Days Cambodia Classic Tour, 8 Days Cambodia Exploration Tour.

 
As part of the Angkor Archaeological Park, Bayon Temple has been famous for its amazing collection of Buddha large, serene, smiling stone faces found on each towers. I have learned that there are about 54 towers which represent the Khmer provinces in the Great Khmer Empire period. I have also learned that there are about 200 faces which symbolize different Buddha smiling faces such as beautiful smile, glad smile, sad smile and charming smile. And, these different stone faces in the walls surely amaze each tourist.

The Bayon's most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and massive stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak. The temple is known also for two impressive sets of bas-reliefs, which present an unusual combination of mythological, historical, and mundane scenes. The current main conservatory body, the Japanese Government team for the Safeguarding of Angkor (the JSA) has described the temple as "the most striking expression of the baroque style" of Khmer architecture, as contrasted with the classical style of Angkor Wat.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam is a vast granite and red marble structure which houses the tomb of Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known by some Vietnamese as Uncle H?. HRC is pleased to offer great service to build a unique China Tour or Indochina Tour for you. HRC is pleased to offer great service to build a unique China Tour or Indochina Tour for you.

The building which is 21.6 meters high and 41.2 meters wide was inspired by Lenin's Mausoleum in Moscow. There are two platforms with seven steps for viewing parades and several oval-shaped wreaths flanking the mausoleum. The exterior is made of gray granite, while the interior is gray, black, and red polished stone. Surrounding the mausoleum are many different species of plants and flowers from various regions of Vietnam are planted. Especially there are 79 cycas revolute plants in front of and at the back of the mausoleum representing 79 years President Ho Chi Minh lived and devoted for the country. Besides, there stand two rows of bamboos to the north and the south of the mausoleum symbolizing the Vietnamese soul and culture. In the central hall lies Ho Chi Minh's body dressing in a plain tunic and sandals in a glass case with dim light.
Visitors are supposed to obey some strict rules such as dressing elegantly, walking in silence in two lines, smoking, photography & videotaping are absolutely forbidden inside the mausoleum. The visiting time is normally from 9:00 am to noon. The mausoleum is periodically closed in October and November for restoration and preservation work on the body.

Wat Phnom located at the north of the Royal palace

Wat Phnom located at the north of the Royal palace about 10 minute drive , Wat Phnom it’s standing in the heart of the capital even it is the artificial mountain but today it very popular for the local tourists either foreigners . The capital’s name was given after the mountain built . The highest part of the mountain about 27 meters ,as the town gradually grew up around, the settlement became known as Phnom Penh ( the hill of Penh ) .

This museum can be considered the compliment to the National Museum of Cambodia (WM9KRJ), which takes as it focus the age of Angkor, from a political perspective, while the Wat Phnom museum examines more recent history (including the Khmer Rouge era), from a social perspective. Indochinatourguide.com is pleased to take you to grab a genuine Cambodia tour.

Wat Phnom Robath located in Kampong Chhnang is one of the celebrated temples of the area. Wat Phnom Robath, Kampong Chhnang is sited on top of a hill. Devotees and tourists from various parts of the world visit the Wat Phnom Robath all throughout the year. From the Wat Phnom Robath, Kampong Chhnang you can have excellent views of the surrounding areas. The view of the Cardamom Mountains from the Wat Phnom Robath, Kampong Chhnang is simply great.

Thimphu is the capital and largest city of Bhutan

Thimphu, also in the past spelled as Thimpu, is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags, the Thimphu District. The city became the capital of Bhutan in 1961. As of 2005 it had a population of 79,185, with 98,676 people living in the entire Thimphu district.

 
Various private operators like Dhug, Meto and Sernya run Toyota Coaster services from Phuentsholing to Thimphu. These buses can seat 22 and are very comfortable. Advance reservation can be made at Phuentsholing Bus Station. Once in Thimphu one can find various buses plying to other parts of the country.Many people like it in Bhutan Tour.

Thimphu is comprised of 1 Drungkhag and 10 Geogs. The lower region is much more developed than the upper region in terms of economy, infrastructure, and social services contributed mainly by the wide telecommunication and road coverage, and good access to local markets. Besides the southern Dzongkhags that share border with the Indian States, Thimphu is one big commercial centre for vibrant business transactions. Though, in remoter regions the main economic activities are rice, wheat and vegetable cultivation, orchard plantation and livestock farming.

The Terrace of the Leper King is ornately carved

The Terrace of the Leper King is located on the way from the Bayon temple to the Dei Chhnang Gate on the left and north of Terrace of the Elephants. It was built in late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. The curious name of this terrace refers to a statue of the Leper King that is on the platform of the terrace .The naked figure is depicted in a seated position with his right knee raised. Today statue is a copy. The original is in the National Museum in Phnom Penh. Who was the Leper King? Mystery and uncertainty surround the origin of the name. The long-held Theory that King Jayavarman VII was a leper and that is why he built so many hospitals throughout the empire has no historical support whatsoever. Many people like it in Cambodia Tour.

Some historisns think the figure represents Kubera, god of wealth, or Yasocarman I, both of whom were allegedly lepers. Another idea is based on as inscription that appears on the statue in characters of the 14th or 15th centuries which maybe translated as the equivalent of the assessor of Yama, god of death or of judgment. Yet another theory suggests that the Leper King statue got it name because of the lichen which grown on it. The position of the hand, now messing, also suggests it was holding something.
The Terrace of The Leper King is ornately carved. The finest carvings are found on the eastern wall. The carvings feature deities with swords, parasols, and other figures. To view the hidden relief, you can climb down a flight of stairs in the southwest corner. The carvings are similar to those on the outer walls.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Playground is of high conservation value

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park National Playground is of high conservation value as one of the largest Places of intact forest habitat remaining in Vietnam. As part of a continuous forest block with the neighbouring Him Namno Biodiversity Conservation Area in Laos it forms one of the largest Places of forest on limestone karst in Indochina. The presence of tall lowland forest, which is regionally threatened as a habitat type, in the National Playground increases the area's conservation value. Many people like it in Vietnam tour.

The Residence contains and protects over 104 km of caves and Belowground rivers, making it one of the most outstanding limestone karst ecosystems in the world. The karst Development has evolved since the Palaeozoic period (some 400 million years ago) and as such is the oldest major karst area in Asia.
The three most comprehensive biodiversity surveys of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Playground, together with the work of Many other researchers, have recorded a high diversity of animal and plant species at the site, including a number endemic to the limestone karst massif.

Baphuon is a single sanctuary temple

The Baphuon temple was built around 1060, before the royal city of Angkor Thom was built around it. Largely collapsed and in ruined condition, the main temple area is undergoing extensive restoration and is not open to the public. The exterior entry gate and elevated walkway are open. Note the unique animal carvings at the walkway entrance, and the large reclining Buddha on the west side, added to the temple at a much later period. Most people like it in Cambodia tour.

Baphuon is a single sanctuary temple – mountain situated on a high base. It was a symbolism of Moun Meru. A rectangular sandstone wall measuring (425 ms long x 125 ms wide)(1394 x 410 feet) enclosed the temple. A sandstone bridge which linked to the main temple’s (200 ms long x 2 ms wide x 1.5 ms high). It was supported by 3 rows of short sandstone columns. And it was flanked by two rectangular pools but nowadays it dries up. If we pass the two rectangular sandstone base with 5 levels that’s re approximately the same size; the first; second; and third levels; are surrounded by sandstone galleries. Baphuon was the first structure in which stone galleries with a central tower appear. There were originally connected by an elevated walkway supported by columns. The gallery of the enclosure collapsed and; at a later date; the stones from it were modeled into the shape of reclining Buddha that spans the length of the west wall the head’s on the left; facing the temple. It’s an abstract form and outline of this Buddha’s difficult to distinguish. A stairway leading in the summit begins in the middle of the Buddha.

The Wat Mahathat is one of the older temples of Bangkok

The Wat Mahathat is one of the older temples of Bangkok; it was built during the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, before the city of Bangkok was founded in 1782. The temple was then known as the Wat Salak. During the centuries the temple was renovated and raised in class several times. It was later renamed to Wat Mahathat, a name often given to temples containing relics of the Buddha. Most people like it in Thailand tour.

The temple itself is large and shares its sprawling complex with monastic cells, schools, offices and other buildings. There is a peaceful garden of palm trees in the back.
Also the home of the Center for Vipassana Meditation at Buddhist University, the most important center for the study of Buddhism and meditation, Wat Mahathat offers some programs in English.

Pre Rup temple was constructed by the Khmer Empire during the Angkorian period in Cambodia

Pre Rup temple was constructed by the Khmer Empire during the Angkorian period in Cambodia. The beautiful rusty-red hue of the laterite and brick used to build Pre Rup is accentuated during sunset and stands in brilliant contrast to the lush green of the jungle in the distance.Most people like it in Cambodia tour.

An impressive work of impeccable proportions, constructed almost entirely of warm coloured materials (laterite and brick) at a time when sandstone was only used sparingly, Pre Rup needs to be visited either early in the morning or at sunset. Its relatively recent clearing required particular attention, the brick monuments needing special care in the removal of the soil, the fallen materials and the entangling roots. Any anastylosis being impossible, the restoration work was limited to some brickwork repairs and consolidation.

Its architectural style is very similar to that of the earlier East Mebon, the major difference being the stepped pyramid of the Pre Rup that is missing in the East Mebon temple. The laterite and brick structure represents the five mountain peaks of the sacred mountain Mount Meru, the center of the universe in Hindu mythology.
The boldness of the architectural design of Pre Rup is superb and give the temple fine balance, scale and proportion. The temple is almost identical in style to the East Mebon, although it was built several yeas later. It is the last real 'temple-mountain ' Pre Rup was called the 'City of the East ' by Philippe Stern, a Frenchman who worked on the site.
The temple’s terrace can be difficult to scale. Its stairs are steep, so drink plenty of water, wear a good pair of walking shoes, and be prepared for some thigh-burning stair climbing.

In the early 20th century the Pre Rup had been completely overgrown and covered with soil. The temple was excavated during the 1930's by French conservators George Trouvé and Henri Marchal.
Square in shape the site is surrounded by two perimeter walls, the outer enclosure is a platform bounded by a laterite wall, 117 meters long by 127 meters wide with a causeway giving entry from the east. Within the inner enclosure either side of the eastern gate are a group of 6 towers aligned north to south, however one of the towers closest to the entrance appears to have been never built or removed at a later date.

Neak Pean is one of the renowned Buddhist temples in Angkor

Neak Pean is one of the renowned Buddhist temples in Angkor, Cambodia. It is located on an artificial island. It was built by Jayavarman VII at the end of 12th century. The term “Neak Pean” means “the entwined serpents”. As the sculptures of snakes run around the base of the temple structure, it derived that name. This temple was originally designed as a hospital and then it was transformed to a Buddhist temple. It is different from other temples in Angkor, as it was located on an island in the middle of the man-made reservoir.　Most people like it in Cambodia tour.

Neak Pean was built on the second half of the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. It seems that the main pond was attributed curative powers by the Angkor inhabitants and it was possibly used as a pilgrimage place where people would come and bath in order to be healed both physically and symbolically. One of the theories maintains that the pond may be a replica of the Lake Anavatapta in the Himalayas, a mythical lake at the top of the universe that is source to the four great rivers of the earth.
The temple is faced by a statue of the horse, Balaha, saving drawing sailors. Neak Pean may have served an absolution function, and the waters were thought to have healing properties. During the dry season when the water is low, check out the animal and human headwater spouts at the outside center of each pool. Neak Pean is most photogenic in the wet season, when the pools are full.

Sihanoukville is a colourful but tragic upstart. A mere fifty years ago

In a land with thousands of years of history, Sihanoukville is a colourful but tragic upstart. A mere fifty years ago, a French-Cambodian construction carved a camp out of the jungle and started building the first deep-sea port of a newly independent Cambodia. Named Sihanoukville in 1964 after the ruling prince of Cambodia, the booming port and its golden beaches soon drew Cambodia's jetsetting elite, spawning the first Angkor Beer brewery and the modernist seven-story Independence Hotel which, claim locals, even played host to Jacqueline Kennedy on her whirlwind tour of Cambodia in 1967. Most people like to travel in Sihanoukville in their Cambodia tour.

 
Alas, the party came to an abrupt end in 1970 when Sihanouk was deposed in a coup and Cambodia descended into civil war. The town – renamed Kompong Som – soon fell on hard times: the victorious Khmer Rouge used the Independence Hotel for target practice and, when they made the mistake of hijacking an American container ship, the port was bombed by the U.S. Air Force. Even after Pol Pot's regime was driven from power, the bumpy highway to the capital was long notorious for banditry and the beaches stayed empty.
Sihanoukville was founded as a port town half a century ago, but these days is as much a beach town and tourist destination, catering to weekenders from Phnom Penh and a steadily increasing number of foreign visitors. The town sits on a beach lined peninsula jutting into the Gulf of Thailand and the pace of life in this provincial town is very relaxed and unhurried. The beaches offer umbrellas, thatched roofed eateries and bars and an ever growing number of restaurants, pubs, bungalows and a range of hotels, all making for a laid-back, beachy atmosphere and a great little tropical getaway. Sihanoukville is a place to unwind by the beach, enjoy the fresh from-the-ocean seafood, party at the bars and happenings, take in an island or scuba trip and generally slow down, lay back and chill-out.

How to get to the Wat Benchamabophit

Wat Benchamabophit is another of Bangkok's wonderful temples. The "Marble Temple" features traditional Thai architecture blended with European influences to make a unique building in the plethora of Bangkok temples. The cloister behind the ordination hall features Buddhas of many styles while inside the hall, the Phra Buddhajinaraja, constructed of 2.5 tons of bronze sits atop the ashes of King Rama V. Most people like it in their Thailand tour.

How to get to the Wat Benchamabophit
The Wat Benchamabophit is located on the intersection of Thanon Rama V and Thanon Si Ayutthaya. Since there is no BTS Skytrain or MRT Subway station nearby, the best way to get there is by metered taxi. A visit to the marble temple can easily be combined with with the Vimanmek Mansion and the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, since they are just a few hundred meters apart.

The Preah Khan temple

The Preah Khan temple complex situated at the northern edge of the Angkor Archaeological Park is one of the most significant buildings erected during the ancient Khmer empire. Dedicated by the great king Jayavarman VII to his father in 1191, Preah Khan serves today as an outstanding example of a large linear temple complex in a dense jungle setting. Cambodia tour

 
Preah Khan was built by Jayavarman VII, at the west end of the king's Jayatataka baray, on the site of Jayavarman's victory over the Cham invaders (1181). It functioned not only as a temple but also as a monastery and university, including elements of Buddhist, Vaishnava, and Shaiva worship. Jayavarman himself was a Buddhist, but most of the Buddha images were destroyed by a later king (most, but not all, authors blame Jayavarman VIII) who reverted the temple to exclusively Hindu use.
In plan, the site is a large, east-facing, moated temple/city that is approached by causeway. The city dimensions (fourth enclosure, just inside the moat) are 800m x 700m, which is almost a half-mile on a side. The temple dimensions (third enclosure) are 200m x 175m (650' x 575'). The site is complex, and (deliberately) has been only partially restored. The photographs on these pages begin with the main (eastern) outer entrance, above, and proceed west, more or less down the axis of the site and out the other side.

Rectangular in shape and occupying 138 acres, Preah Khan’s boundaries are defined by a protective moat and fortified walls adorned by monumental carved stone garudas—eagle-like divine beings. The temple complex includes entryways, towers, ceremonial spaces, courtyards, shrines, and a variety of connecting corridors. Additional special features of Preah Khan include its two-story pavilion, the once-bronze-plated sanctum sanctorum, and its Hall of Dancers.

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee is a 13-member executive council for the city

Vietnam is synonymous with cuisine to put hairs on your chest. Try to avoid restaurants prone to killing the snake in front of you (some diners like to feast on the still-beating heart). It's not kind to the snake and it won't increase virility. Reputable hotels can point you in the direction of a good restaurant with such creatures on the menu, or look out for glass bottles of snake wine known as "ruou thuoc" at most markets. Don't worry, the venom is neutralised by the ethanol.

Ho Chi Minh City is the main junction for trains, roads, water, and air transportation systems for domestic trips and for foreign destination. The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee is a 13-member executive council for the city. The current chairman is Lê Hoàng Quan. There are several vice chairmen and chairwomen on the committee with responsibility for various city departments. The legislative branch of the city government is called the People's Council and consists of 95 deputies. Both the committee and the council are subordinate to the city's Communist Party, currently led by Party Secretary Lê Thanh H?i. The chairman of the People's Committee is the No. 2 position in the city government while chairman of the People's Council is No. 3. At the conclusion of the Vietnam War on 30 April 1975, the city came under the control of the Vietnamese People's Army. Among Vietnamese diaspora communities and particularly the U.S. (which had fought the communists), this event is commonly called the "fall of Saigon," while the communist Socialist Republic of Vietnam refers to it as the "Liberation of Saigon." In 1976, upon the establishment of the unified communist Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the city of Saigon (including Cholon), the province of Gia D?nh and two suburban districts of two other nearby provinces were combined to create Ho Chi Minh City in honor of the late Communist leader Ho Chí Minh. The former name Saigon is still widely used by many Vietnamese, especially in informal contexts. Generally, the term Saigon refers only to the urban districts of Ho Chi Minh City.

Siem Reap is more popular than Phnom Penh

  Siem Reap, as the first gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park (incl. Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and other temple areas), is more popular than Phnom Penh. Tough it is the capital city of Siem Reap Province, Siem Reap is still a small town in the northwestern of Cambodia, having international airport with limited flights to many countries.

  At the turn of the millennium Siem Reap was a Cambodian provincial town with few facilities, minor surfaced roads and little in the way of nightlife. Tourism industry catered largely to hardy backpackers willing to brave the tortuous road from the Thai border on the tailgate of a local pick-up truck. There were a couple of large hotels and a handful of budget guesthouses. Tuk-tuks and taxis were non-existent and the trusty motodup was the chosen means of touring the temples of Angkor.
  The proximity of the Angkorian ruins turned Siem Reap into a boomtown in less than half a decade. Huge, expensive hotels have sprung up everywhere and budget hotels have mushroomed. Property values have soared to European levels and tourism has become a vast, lucrative industry. The Siem Reap of today is barely recognizable from the Siem Reap of the year 2000.

Angkor Wat is an architectural masterpiece

Angkor Wat, in its beauty and state of preservation, is unrivaled. Its mightiness and magnificence bespeak a pomp and a luxury surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than that of the Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal. Angkor Wat is located about six kilometers (four miles) north of Siem Reap, south of Angkor Thom. Entry and exit to Angkor Wat can only be access from its west gate.

 
The ancient city of Angkor used to be a capital of the ancient Khmer Empire and one of the largest cities in the world. This huge complex of buildings, covering about 600 square kilometers, was known far beyond the Khmer Empire until it was destroyed by Siamese troops in 1431.
Angkor Wat, built during the early years of the 12th century by Suryavaram II, honors the Hindu god Vishnu and is a symbolic representation of Hindu cosmology. Consisting of an enormous temple symbolizing the mythic Mt. Meru, its five inter-nested rectangular walls and moats represent chains of mountains and the cosmic ocean. The short dimensions of the vast compound are precisely aligned along a north-south axis, while the east-west axis has been deliberately diverted 0.75 degrees south of east and north of west, seemingly in order to give observers a three day anticipation of the spring equinox.

Angkor Wat, the largest monument of the Angkor group and the best preserved, is an architectural masterpiece. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief’s and sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world.

Siem Reap is more popular than Phnom Penh

  Siem Reap, as the first gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park (incl. Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and other temple areas), is more popular than Phnom Penh. Tough it is the capital city of Siem Reap Province, Siem Reap is still a small town in the northwestern of Cambodia, having international airport with limited flights to many countries.

  At the turn of the millennium Siem Reap was a Cambodian provincial town with few facilities, minor surfaced roads and little in the way of nightlife. Tourism industry catered largely to hardy backpackers willing to brave the tortuous road from the Thai border on the tailgate of a local pick-up truck. There were a couple of large hotels and a handful of budget guesthouses. Tuk-tuks and taxis were non-existent and the trusty motodup was the chosen means of touring the temples of Angkor.
  The proximity of the Angkorian ruins turned Siem Reap into a boomtown in less than half a decade. Huge, expensive hotels have sprung up everywhere and budget hotels have mushroomed. Property values have soared to European levels and tourism has become a vast, lucrative industry. The Siem Reap of today is barely recognizable from the Siem Reap of the year 2000.