Siem Reap's history dates to 802, and for many traveling through Southeast Asia, visiting Siem Reap is an experience...there are many activities and attractions that go far beyond the ancient ruins along the way. Siem Reap is fast becoming a hub for tourists from Southeast Asia, with so much to do, easy access to temples, excellent value for money accommodation, and unbelievably cheap food and drink options. You can get a three-day pass to Angkor (or seven days if you are a true history/archaeology buff) and confuse the temple visit with the many other attractions the city has to offer. Combining alternative activities with a visit to Angkor helps avoid the temple burnout so common in Angkor. The scale of Angkor Wat is astounding; while a one-day pass is enough to see the highlights, you can purchase a three-day or even a seven-day pass to explore the temples of Angkor Wat in microscopic detail. Angkor was the original capital of the Khmer Empire, and the temples within the Angkor Archaeological Park are all that remains of this epic kingdom. Exploring the ancient and mysterious temples is one of the main activities in Siem Reap, but it can take a few days. Explore them. Located in the Angkor Archaeological Park, about twenty-five kilometres from Siem Reap, the modern Angkor National Museum tells the story of Cambodia's landmines, which is still a major problem here. Located in Angkor National Park (about a 30-minute drive from Siem Reap), the Mine Museum is Cambodia's most popular attraction after Angkor Wat. The museum is a 45-minute drive from Siem Reap city and a 30-minute drive from the park, so it is a clever idea to visit the museum after visiting the temples. Sprawling across the Angkor Archaeological Park (most often referred to by visitors from its main temple complex, Angkor Wat), the vast ancient city was built by a succession of kings between the 9th and 15th centuries, contains hundreds of temples, and is so huge that even after several visits, you will feel that only scratched the surface. Obviously, most visits here to the famous temples of Angkor Wat or Ta Prohm are a bit out of town, however if you are staying in Siem Reap for a few days, this is a quiet Buddhist temple located in the city, right across the river which has several cult halls and beautiful pagodas built in the twelfth century. Other activities in Siem Reap include shopping at various markets and art galleries, massages, cooking classes, visiting a landmine museum or a silk farm, ziplining, kayaking and quad biking.