AsiaRooms.com - Celebrate Khmer New Year in Siem Reap

AsiaRooms.com highlights one of Cambodia's biggest and most important festivals - Khmer New Year - will soon take place in the south-east Asian country.

The exact dates of the event vary annually on the western calendar, but in 2011 the celebrations will run from April 14th to 16th.

Decorations adorn all sorts of buildings across the country to mark the turn of the new year, which occurs on the first day of the festival.

Revellers flock to shrines and temples in order to leave gifts for God, such as food and drink. People also exchange presents with each other and make donations to the less fortunate.

A number of traditional Khmer games are played, including Bas Angkunh - which involves seed throwing - as well as tugs of war and shuttlecock kicking.

Another favourite is chaol chhoung, in which girls attempt to hit boys with a ball made from a wrapped-up scarf.

Cambodians also use the new year celebrations to show off their dancing skills. Hordes gather to take part in routines such as the ran vong, ram kbach, saravan and lam leav.

Travellers looking for Siem Reap hotels ahead of the festivities can find a wide selection at AsiaRooms.com, such as the Hotel De La Paix Siem Reap, located within easy reach of the city's nightlife.

More information on this event can be found by heading to http://www.tourismcambodia.org/.

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