There are more things to do in Cambodia than you’d imagine. After you’ve hit all the temples, eaten your fill of Siem Reap’s street food and shopped to your heart’s desire, why not check out a truly unique travel experience? Phare, the Cambodian circus, has no animals but some outstanding acts!
After you’ve visited all the famous temples, indulged in all the amazing street food and shopped until you’ve dropped, what else can you do on a trip to Siem Reap in Cambodia? Why, you visit Phare, the Cambodian Circus, of course!
Not exactly your Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Phare charms with its own brand of circus entertainment. No glittery costumes, no slick props, no hi-tech illusions and no submissive animals. Instead, a group of performers shining with unrestrained enthusiasm captivates the audience with high energy acrobatics, nifty dance moves and absorbing theatrics.
The performers expressions switch between comic and solemn. Words spoken are few and mostly in the Khmer language, but that does not matter. Their stories are heartwarming Cambodian tales spanning historical, folk and modern themes.
These young artistes are from the Phare Ponleu Selvam vocational training centre set up in Battambang by refugees returning from the turbulent Khmer regime in 1994. Phare the Cambodian Circus launched its first show in 2013.
The setting is simple, basic with a ring stage diameter of 9.5m surrounded by wooden seats on ascending tiers. Musicians, perch on two high standing platforms on both sides of the stage, to provide the sound effects from a mix of traditional and modern instruments.
It may not be your elaborate circus show but it is equally mesmerizing. I went in with a great sense of curiosity and left knowing that my ticket cost had contributed to a noble social cause and the arts in a country recovering from torrid devastation.
Phare, the Cambodian Circus, is located at Phare Circus Ring Road, south of the intersection with Sok San Road, Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia, Cambodia; tickets are priced from US$18 and above. The show runs from 8pm nightly for one hour. A café and a boutique showcasing locally made products are also within the circus grounds, which are about 15-20 minutes from Siem Reap city centre. For more information, go to pharecircus.org.
This story and images were provided by Selena Oh.
Want to know what else you should do in Cambodia? Read our Siem Reap travel guide, our recommendation for a top Siem Reap hotel and for more travel inspiration, check out our whole Travel section.
