Traditional Khmer dance is a ‘dance-drama performance’ meant to convey a story or message. There are four main genres of traditional Khmer dance, the Classical Dance, Shadow theatre, Lakhon Khol and Folk Dance. It has been in tradition since the 19th century, the earliest days of tourism of this land, to treat its visitors with a taste of classical Khmer culture, the Apsara dance performance.

Visit to Cambodia will not be complete without attending these performances. Now a days, the most popular eateries, offering buffet or set menus for dinner, combine a one-hour traditional dance performance with their offer. Dinners are open for dinner at around 7 p.m. and the dance performances the dance performances are scheduled for the first one hour, and sometimes after dinner only on prior reservation. You are required to order for dinner as you appreciate the performances.

Your travel experience at Seim Reap could be much more personally fulfilling, if you make friends with some locals and do some volunteer work with any of the various NGOs working here.