Wat Bo Road: Siem Reap's Quiet Quarter of Temples, Crafts and Boutique Hotels

Wat Bo Road is the calm, leafy alternative to Pub Street, a stretch of tree-lined road and quiet lanes on the east side of the Siem Reap River where boutique hotels, craft workshops, cooking schools and restaurants sit among old pagodas and wooden houses. It is only a ten-minute walk from the Old Market, but the atmosphere is completely different: monks in saffron robes stroll to the temple, children play in the street and the sounds of the town fade to the chirping of insects. For visitors who want to be close to the action but sleep in peace, this is one of the best areas to stay in Siem Reap.

The area is named after Wat Bo, one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Siem Reap. The pagoda dates from the 18th century, and its main hall is covered with beautiful murals painted in the 1920s that show scenes from the Reamker, the Khmer version of the Ramayana epic, together with episodes from the life of the Buddha. The walls and ceiling are painted in rich colors, and the temple compound is shaded by huge trees, with monks' quarters, stupas and shrines spread through the grounds. Visitors are welcome, provided they dress modestly and behave quietly.

Wat Bo Road and the nearby Sala Kamreuk district have developed into the town's main center for responsible and creative tourism. Artisans Angkor, a short walk away, is a social enterprise that trains young Cambodians in traditional crafts such as silk weaving, wood carving, stone carving and lacquerware, and visitors can tour the workshops and shop for authentic pieces at fixed prices. Small galleries, bookshops, yoga studios and bakeries line the lanes, and many hotels and restaurants here are run by foundations or work with local charities, so your money supports the community.

The restaurant scene is excellent. Alongside traditional Khmer restaurants serving <a href="/guide/fish-amok-siem-reap-guide/">amok</a> and <a href="/guide/lok-lak-siem-reap-guide/">lok lak</a>, you will find cooking schools that offer half-day classes, in which you visit a market, learn to prepare dishes such as amok and green mango salad and eat what you cook. A class typically costs $15 to $30, and it is a rewarding way to spend a morning. Other options include vegetarian cafes, tapas bars and fine-dining restaurants with tasting menus that use Cambodian ingredients and techniques, at prices much lower than in Europe or the United States.

There are other things to do in the area. The Angkor National Museum, a short drive away, offers an air-conditioned introduction to Khmer history and art, with galleries displaying Buddha statues, bronzes and artifacts from Angkor, and it is a good way to prepare for the temples. The Wat Damnak area, to the south, has a pleasant neighborhood of small restaurants, a pagoda and a research center. Cycling is a great way to explore, and many hotels offer free bicycles for guests, along with maps of nearby villages and rice fields.

A few practical tips help. Dress modestly when visiting Wat Bo, with shoulders and knees covered, and remove your shoes before entering the main hall. Do not touch the murals or take photographs of monks without asking. At night, the area is quiet and dark, with fewer streetlights than the center, so take a tuk-tuk after dinner if you are walking alone. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance in the evenings, especially in the rainy season, so use repellent. Hotels in the area often offer free breakfast and pool access, so compare options.

Wat Bo Road suits couples, families, culture lovers and anyone who wants a peaceful base within reach of the town's attractions. It is less suited to those who want nightlife on the doorstep, though Pub Street is only a short ride away. A good plan is to visit Artisans Angkor in the morning, tour Wat Bo, take a cooking class and have dinner at a local restaurant. For lodging in the area, see our guide to the <a href="/guide/top-10-hotels-in-siem-reap/">top 10 hotels in Siem Reap</a>.