Siem Reap history

The Origins of Siem Reap: From Ancient Capital to Modern City

The history of Siem Reap is inextricably linked with the great Khmer Empire. Although the modern city took shape in its current form much later, this land was the heart of one of the most powerful civilisations in Southeast Asia for centuries.

Foundation and First Mentions

The territory of the current city and its surroundings was inhabited as far back as prehistoric times, but the region truly flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries, when the capital of the Khmer Empire — Angkor — was located here. Siem Reap itself initially developed as a group of settlements along the river, serving the temple complexes and the royal court.

As an administrative and urban centre in the modern sense, Siem Reap began to form in the early 20th century. It was during this period, under the influence of the French school of urban planning, that scattered villages were united into a single structure with colonial architecture, while preserving the traditional way of life.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional centre was driven by several factors:

• Geographical location: Proximity to the Tonle Sap lake, the largest freshwater body in the region, and fertile soils created ideal conditions for agriculture and fishing.
• Siem Reap River: This waterway, originating on the sacred Kulen plateau, historically served as a source of water for irrigation and a main transport artery.
• Spiritual centre: The presence of the majestic Angkor temples made this region a place of pilgrimage long before the advent of mass tourism.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Siem Reap was based on subsistence farming. Local residents were renowned as skilled farmers and fishermen. Crafts played an important role: stone and wood carving, weaving, and pottery — skills passed down from generation to generation from the creators of the ancient temples.

The city's cultural life has always been centred around Buddhist pagodas (wats). Siem Reap became the guardian of classical Khmer arts, including the famous Apsara dance and shadow theatre, which were revived and flourish here to this day.

Major Milestones in the History of Siem Reap

• 802: King Jayavarman II founds the Khmer Empire on the Kulen plateau near the modern city, laying the foundation for the region's golden age.
• 12th Century: Construction of the majestic Angkor Wat temple complex, which today stands as the main attraction and symbol of the country.
• 1431: The capital of the empire moves to Phnom Penh, after which the region loses political influence, but the temples remain inhabited by Buddhist monks.
• 16th Century: According to historical legends, the name "Siem Reap" is established during this period, translating as "victory over the Siamese," in honour of a Khmer military success.
• 1901: The École française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO) begins systematic work on clearing, restoring, and studying the monuments of Angkor.
• 1907: Under the Franco-Siamese treaty, Siem Reap province officially returns to Cambodian jurisdiction (at that time under a French protectorate).
• 1920s: The modern layout of the city takes shape with colonial architecture, markets, and the first roads for travellers.
• 1929: Opening of the legendary Grand Hotel d'Angkor, marking the beginning of the era of high-class international tourism.
• 1953: Cambodia gains independence, and Siem Reap continues to develop as the guardian of the nation's cultural heritage.
• 1992: The Angkor Archaeological Park is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, providing a powerful impulse for the preservation of monuments and the development of the city.
• 1995: Establishment of the APSARA National Authority, responsible for the protection of temples and the sustainable development of the tourist zone.
• 2023: Opening of the new Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI), capable of accommodating large liners and increasing the flow of guests.

Stages of Transformation: From Provincial Town to Global Resort

The development of Siem Reap is a story of transforming a quiet settlement near ancient ruins into a dynamic tourism hub. Here are the key stages that defined the city's modern economic and architectural appearance:

• Colonial Urbanisation (Early 20th Century)
  Significance: It was during this period that the foundation of the historical centre was laid. The French administration united scattered villages into a single urban structure, building the famous Old Market (Psar Chaa), stone bridges, and quarters with characteristic architecture that today attract tourists with their charm.

• The "Golden Era" of New Khmer Architecture (1950–1960s)
  Significance: A time of cultural renaissance after gaining independence. Iconic buildings combining modernism and Khmer traditions appeared in the city, and the Royal Gardens were laid out. This cemented Siem Reap's status as not only a historical but also a secular cultural centre.

• Awarding of UNESCO Status (1992)
  Significance: A key turning point for the economy. The inclusion of Angkor in the World Heritage list attracted international funding and experts for the restoration of temples, which gave a powerful start to the development of the tourism industry and the creation of thousands of jobs.

• Hospitality Business Boom (2000s)
  Significance: A period of explosive economic growth. The appearance of hundreds of boutique hotels, restaurants, and the famous Pub Street transformed the urban environment, turning Siem Reap into a cosmopolitan city with a developed service sector and vibrant nightlife.

• "38 Roads" Infrastructure Project (2020–2021)
  Significance: Global urban renewal. Complete reconstruction of the road network, creation of wide pavements, bicycle lanes, and a modern lighting system made the city pedestrian-friendly and significantly improved its ecology and appearance.

• Launch of the New SAI Airport (2023)
  Significance: A strategic step for heritage protection and logistics expansion. Moving the airport outside the city limits reduced vibrational impact on ancient temples and allowed for the reception of large aircraft, opening Siem Reap to direct flights from distant corners of the planet.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Siem Reap represents a unique blend of eras: from the grandeur of the ancient Khmer Empire to the elegance of the French colonial style and modern tropical modernism. The city developed not as a single monolith, but as a patchwork quilt, where every district tells its own story.

Key Architectural Eras

The urban development of Siem Reap can be roughly divided into three key stages, each of which has left its mark on the appearance of the streets:

• Ancient Khmer Period (9th–15th centuries):
  Although the residential buildings of that time were wooden and have not survived, this style set the tone for the entire region. Stone temples, such as Angkor Wat, serve as an eternal landmark. Modern buildings often cite elements of this style: roofs with curved gables, the use of laterite, and carvings with lotus motifs.
• French Colonial Period (1863–1953):
  It was the French who turned a cluster of villages into an ordered city. During this period, the historical centre formed around the Old Market. The architecture is characterised by two-storey "shophouses" with tiled roofs, wooden shutters, and pastel facades, combining European classics with Chinese commercial traditions.
• New Khmer Architecture and Modernity (from the 1950s):
  After independence, a style emerged in the country combining modernism (concrete, clean lines, functionality) with traditional Khmer forms (structures raised on stilts, natural ventilation). Today, the city is actively being built up with boutique hotels using the concept of "green architecture" and integration with nature.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

The appearance of Siem Reap is shaped by several key objects that serve as visual aids to the city's architectural history:

• Old Market District (Psar Chaa): The heart of the colonial quarter. The rows of trading houses from the early 20th century are best preserved here, now occupied by cafes and galleries. This is a vivid example of Indochinese urbanism.
• Grand Hotel d’Angkor (Raffles): Built in 1929, this hotel is a benchmark of colonial style with Art Deco elements. The massive building with an elegant park and pool symbolises the beginning of the era of elite tourism.
• Royal Residence: A small but exquisite palace surrounded by gardens. It demonstrates a transitional style, combining European restraint with traditional Khmer roofs and spires.
• Wat Bo: One of the oldest pagodas in the city (18th century). Its uniqueness lies in the wall murals, which depict not only religious subjects but also scenes of daily life, including European traders, reflecting early contacts with the West.

Modern Siem Reap continues to transform, maintaining a balance between low-rise historical buildings and the requirements of an international resort, where new buildings strive not to exceed the height of palm tree tops, paying tribute to the sacred temples nearby.

Notable Figures Associated with Siem Reap

The history of Siem Reap and the province is inextricably linked with the names of great rulers, explorers, and modern philanthropists. These people played a key role in the creation, discovery, or revival of this region's greatness.

• Suryavarman II (12th Century)
  Role: King of the Khmer Empire.
  Historical Significance: Creator of Angkor Wat, the main symbol of Cambodia and the primary point of attraction for all guests of Siem Reap. It was his ambitions that turned this region into an architectural wonder of the world, defining the city's destiny for a millennium to come.
• Jayavarman VII (1125–1218)
  Role: The greatest Buddhist King of the Khmer Empire.
  Historical Significance: Built the fortified city of Angkor Thom and the famous Bayon temple with its faces. Under him, the empire reached the peak of its power, and a network of roads and hospitals was created in the region, traces of which archaeologists find to this day.
• Zhou Daguan (13th Century)
  Role: Chinese diplomat and envoy.
  Historical Significance: Author of "The Customs of Cambodia". Having lived for a year in Angkor, he left the only surviving written record of daily life in the ancient capital, thanks to which we know how people lived in the territory of modern Siem Reap during its heyday.
• Henri Mouhot (1826–1861)
  Role: French naturalist and explorer.
  Historical Significance: Although he was not the first European to visit Angkor, it was his illustrated diaries, published posthumously, that opened the "lost city" to the Western world and initiated the scientific study and preservation of the region's monuments.
• Henri Marchal (1876–1970)
  Role: Architect and conservator of Angkor.
  Historical Significance: Dedicated his life to the restoration of temples. Introduced the method of anastylosis (reconstructing a monument from its own debris) during the reconstruction of the Banteay Srei temple. He lived and died in Siem Reap, becoming one of the key figures in saving heritage for future generations.
• Norodom Sihanouk (1922–2012)
  Role: King and Head of State of Cambodia.
  Historical Significance: Frequently used the Royal Residence in Siem Reap as a summer palace and a place to receive foreign delegations. Actively promoted the country's culture on the international stage and facilitated the development of tourism in the region in the mid-20th century.
• Beat Richner (1947–2018)
  Role: Swiss paediatrician, known as "Beatocello".
  Historical Significance: Founder of the Kantha Bopha network of children's hospitals, one of which is located in Siem Reap. He saved the lives of thousands of local children and became a national hero, holding charity cello concerts to raise funds.
• Angelina Jolie (born 1975)
  Role: Actress, director, and humanitarian.
  Historical Significance: The filming of "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" at Ta Prohm temple sparked an unprecedented tourism boom in the early 2000s. She is an honorary citizen of Cambodia and a patron of major conservation projects in Siem Reap province.