Jardins royaux de l'indépendance
A historic public park in northern Siem Reap, featuring lotus flowers, sacred shrines, a colony of giant bats, and a reminder of the 1953 independence movement.
The Royal Independence Gardens are a lush historic public park located in the northern part of Siem Reap. Situated at the corner of National Road 6 and Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, opposite the Royal Residence and along the Siem Reap River, this tranquil retreat is steeped in history: it was here that King Norodom Sihanouk and General Lon Nol planned the crusade for Cambodia's independence from France in 1953.
Highlights & Shrines
Giant Bats: Hundreds of fruit bats roost in the ancient trees — a spectacular sight at dusk as they take flight over the city. Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm Sanctuary: Two standing Buddha statues, highly revered for fortune and health. Ya Tep Sanctuary: A small shrine on an island in the middle of the road, dedicated to the local Neak-Ta, popular for luck and lottery numbers. Neighbourhood: Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor (1932) and Victoria Angkor Resort.
Visitor Experience
A community hub: families, joggers, and tai chi practitioners gather in the mornings and late afternoons. The site of major national celebrations — Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) and Choul Chnam Thmey (Khmer New Year). Highly recommended on TripAdvisor and GetYourGuide.
Address: National Road 6, Krong Siem Reap — 15 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by tuk-tuk north of Pub Street. Open 24/7 — ideal at sunrise or sunset when it’s cooler and the bats become active. Free entry.
At the Royal Independence Gardens, the scent of incense from the Preah Ang Chek shrine mingles with the sight of bats taking flight at dusk, offering a vibrant glimpse of Siem Reap beyond its temples. This memorial wall serves as a poignant reminder of the park's significance to the Khmer people.
Géraldine & Jean-Pierre
À voir sur place
- Étangs de lotus et pelouses ombragées
- Colonie de chauves-souris fruitières (crépuscule)
- Sanctuaire Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm
- Sanctuaire Ya Tep (îlot sur la route)
- Résidence royale et rivière Siem Reap
Ambiance & pratique
- Familles, joggeurs et tai-chi tôt le matin
- Fêtes nationales : Bon Om Touk, Nouvel An khmer
- Face au Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor (1932)
- Entrée libre — ouvert jour et nuit
- Route nationale 6 · Charles-de-Gaulle
Photo gallery
Contact
- Address: Route nationale 6, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodge
- Hours: Ouvert 24h/24, 7j/7 — idéal au matin ou au coucher du soleil