Angkor & Siem Reap, Cambodia Travel Guide
About Getting Around Attractions Hotels Eats & Nightlife Essentials & Practicals
Accessibility in Siem Reap & Angkor
Wheelchair access in Siem Reap
You may not think of Cambodia as being accessible. But, I found (Angkor) Siem Reap to be pretty accessible, even at the local internet cafe (World Coffee Net) in the Old Market, which was accessible and spacious. There was no step to enter this internet cafe and the computer sat at a table that I could wheel under. Siem Reap, Cambodia if pretty flat and it isn’t an overcrowded town with lots of city structures built with countless floors. Siem Reap’s National Road 6, the main west and east highway is very nicely paved and flat. The Old Market and Old French Quarter, the areas you will most likely hang out in outside of the Angkor Conservation compound, are easy to wheel around in and they are comprised of low built structures. And, now that the Angkor Temples have become so popular, Siem Reap is making a lot of hotels accessible and some even a resort to stay at.
It’s at the temples where you’ll find accessibility an issue.
A lot of stairs and steps pose an accessibility issue. But, it’s more of the time and weather-worn stones and rocks they are built out of that have taken a beating over the years. They are uneven, rough and rugged. You can, however, certainly enjoy the temples from the outside. They truly are a splendor in the sun. The temples of course weren’t designed to be handicap friendly but with the help of the local Cambodians or friends, you can get around, especially in Angkor Wat, and make this trip one to remember.
Streets, Sidewalks, Curbs, Buildings
There are no real sidewalks along National Road 6, main road, which runs east and west, where many hotels are located. Most of the modern sidewalks are located in downtown Siem Reap around the Old French Quarter and Old Market. They do have ramps for some of the sidewalks and some of the curbs are only a couple of inches high. However, a lot of the restaurants and bars in these areas do have steps without ramps. But, the locals will take care of you.
Along the Siem Reap River, there are accessible sidewalks as well. Along National Road 6, however, you have to wheel on the side of the road next to dirt patches and such. Not so bad as the traffic isn’t bad and the concrete and dirt merge with each other evenly. So, it’s pretty easy to get around. Sounds a bit rough but it was easy going for the most part.