Meaningful things to do in Siem Reap, beyond Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat is why most people come. What they remember is often something else — a story that stays with them. Here's where to find that in Siem Reap.
Most travelers give Angkor two or three days and then wonder what else Siem Reap has to offer. The honest answer: some of the most meaningful experiences in the region aren't temples at all — they're places that explain what happened here, and what's still being done about it.
Chief among them is the Cambodia Landmine Museum, founded by Aki Ra — a man forced to lay landmines as a child soldier who has since cleared over 50,000 of them by hand. It's a CNN Hero story, a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice attraction, and it sits directly on the road to Banteay Srei — meaning it costs you no extra travel time to add it to an Angkor day.
One stop, no detour, real impact.
On the way to Banteay Srei
About 25 km north of Siem Reap, directly on the Banteay Srei road — pair the two in one half-day trip with no backtracking.
A CNN Hero's own museum
Founder Aki Ra tells Cambodia's landmine history through items he personally cleared and defused — a first-person account few museums can offer.
Your visit funds demining
Entry fees and donations go directly into clearing land, running schools, and supporting children — 100% to programs.
Pair it with an elephant sanctuary
Several ethical elephant sanctuaries operate around Siem Reap and the Kulen area. Combined with the Landmine Museum, they make for a day that's as meaningful as it is memorable — ask your driver or guesthouse for current recommendations.
What travelers ask.
What can I do in Siem Reap besides Angkor Wat?
Beyond the temples, Siem Reap offers museums, cultural shows, craft workshops, and humanitarian sites. The Cambodia Landmine Museum, on the road to Banteay Srei, is one of the most meaningful — it tells the story of the war's aftermath through founder Aki Ra, a former child soldier turned demining hero.
Is the Cambodia Landmine Museum worth visiting?
Yes. It holds a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award, is directly on the Banteay Srei route (no detour needed), and offers a rare, first-person account of Cambodia's landmine history through founder Aki Ra, a CNN Hero.
Can I combine the Landmine Museum with Banteay Srei?
Yes — the museum sits directly on the road to Banteay Srei temple, about 25 km north of Siem Reap, making it a natural stop on the same half-day trip.
What is a meaningful thing to do in Cambodia beyond sightseeing?
Visiting the Cambodia Landmine Museum combines cultural learning with direct impact: entry fees and donations fund ongoing demining, schools, and child welfare work in Cambodia.
Make it part of your Angkor day.
Open daily, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM, on the road to Banteay Srei.
Or support the work from anywhere