Angkor Botanical Garden — Attraction in Siem Reap

Angkor Botanical Garden was a peaceful and refreshing way to start our day in Siem Reap. Located close to other key attractions, it's a great first stop if you're exploring the Angkor area. The gardens are beautifully maintained with a wide variety of tropical plants, flowering pathways, shaded pergolas, and neatly paved trails.

We enjoyed wandering through vibrant floral sections filled with pink and red blooms, and came across ponds teeming with koi fish near a rustic timber jetty—perfect for relaxing by the water or snapping photos. The paths lead you through open lawns, leafy walkways, and viewing areas overlooking flower fields, creating multiple scenic photo opportunities. One unexpected highlight was the enclosure with live peacocks—one even had its feathers on full display.

There’s also a lovely open-air seating deck surrounded by flowers, where you can sit and take in the view or enjoy a cool drink. The overall atmosphere was calm and immersive, offering a welcome break from the heat and busyness of the temples.

If you have a few hours in Siem Reap and want something easy-paced, lush, and photo-worthy, this garden is worth adding to your itinerary. A hidden gem tucked into nature.

Saturday 8 am–6 pm Sunday 8 am–6 pm Monday 8 am–6 pm Tuesday Closed Wednesday 8 am–6 pm Thursday 8 am–6 pm Friday ...

Note that the opening time is 08.00am and NOT 07.30am as advertised on the sign outside of the gate.

On the positive side: A pleasant addition to Siem Reap and well worth a visit. It is educational and a nice mix of 'formal' garden and 'semi-wild'. Nice water features. Can be very peaceful and tranquil, although this depends upon the day and time that you visit and whether or not garden maintenance is being carried out. If not for those things which in my opinion are negative points, I would have allocated 4-5 stars -

On the negative side: They have some animals and birds in cages and for me, this does not add any value to the gardens and in my opinion detracts from the concept of a botanical garden. There are signs saying that the caged birds (and gibbons?) are to be released. That would be commendable however, it is unlikely that the gibbons could be 'rehabilitated' and, whether the release into the forest of hybrid/mutated peafowls is a good idea is debatable.

There are some ostriches in captivity. The forest habitat is totally unsuitable for them and their enclosure is totally inadequate and unsuitable.

Suggestions: I would like to see more indigenous Cambodian flowers featured.

If at all possible, the use of brushcutters, lawnmowers and chainsaws should be restricted to Mondays when the gardens are closed...

Hidden Gem In Siem Reap

Recently renovated 15-hectare site which includes 5 main gardens - the flower garden, medicinal and spice garden, palm garden, Khmer garden, and Angkor forest area.

As it has just opened to the public this past May, there is no entrance fee as they are just trying to raise awareness about the new site (all you have to do is like the Facebook page to get in).

It's really well maintained and it is supposedly being expanded to 130-hectares over time. There's a cafe with coffee, fruit smoothies and some small pastries as well, plus a cute hobbit house, lotus pond, and plenty of wildlife. I've been twice now and both times it seems that my group are the only tourists there. It's certainly a nice and peaceful break from the crowds at the temple and worth the trip to see either in the early morning or late evening (it can get pretty hot...