Siem Reap’s Wat Bo was named one of the top 3 “World’s coolest” neighbourhoods for 2022 by Time Out.

That moment when you find the side of the city that is definitely more popular with locals than visitors is one of the nicest moments of a vacation.

Perhaps it’s the off-the-beaten-path cafe with the finest coffee you’ve ever had, the underground pub that isn’t visible from the street above, or the restaurant serving up delicious local specialities you’ve never heard of.

Time Out, the global media brand, has released its annual list of the world’s greatest neighborhoods to help you find more hidden gems on your next city visit.

Wat Bo in Siem Reap was chosen as one of the top three “World’s Coolest” neighbourhoods for 2022. This is exciting news for Cambodia’s tourism industry.

Wat Bo Village has gradually blossomed into one of Siem Reap’s coolest neighbourhoods. The green riverfront is studded with comfortable outdoor cafés, and hidden along little side alleys are some great restaurants, casual local eateries, and buzzy café-bars, while Wat Bo Road is packed with noodle shops and an emerging food truck trend.

Wat Bo Village was the accommodation district during the early days of Siem Reap’s development as a tourist destination in the twentieth century, bordered by the Siem Reap River to the west, National Highway 6 to the north, 7 Makara Street at the southern end, and Lok Taneuy Road to the east.

The ancient wooden bungalows on Wat Bo Road’s main thoroughfare that functioned as Siem Reap’s first guest houses have mostly been dismantled in recent years, replaced by concrete hotels and apartment towers, but Wat Bo Village still has some architectural beauties, old and new, with new evoking old.

Highlights include boutique hotels Viroth’s and Treeline Urban Resort, as well as restaurant Tevy’s Place, which provides great organic meals and also acts as a social venture empowering local women.

Time Out’s Top 10 Coolest Neighborhoods

1. Colonia Americana – Guadalajara, Mexico

2. Cais do Sodré – Lisbon, Portugal

3. Wat Bo Village – Siem Reap, Cambodia

4. Ridgewood – New York City, USA

5. Mile End – Montreal, Canada

6. Barrio Logan – San Diego, USA

7. Shimokitazawa – Tokyo, Japan

8. Cliftonville – Margate, UK

9. Barrio Yungay – Santiago, Chile

10. Cours Julien – Marseille, France