Give a big warm welcome to Siem Reap’s big top! Phare, The Cambodian Circus has landed in temple town with their first night’s dynamic performance earlier this month. This sister set-up of the circus troupe from Phare Ponleu Selpak, an NGO-run visual arts school dedicated to educating and training disadvantaged youth in the provincial town of Battamabng, will entertain tourists, locals and expats alike seven days a week, all year round.

Arriving in Siem Reap with two spell-binding alternating shows, Phuto! and Eclipse, the open-air stage can seat an impressive 300 people, with the big top due to arrive in a couple of months. But having toured the world from London to New York (and ABOUTAsia was lucky enough to catch a performance at London’s South Bank Centre last July), this professional troupe with its array of tightrope walkers, contortionists and acrobats know well how to put on an artistic spectacle.

With a unique blend of visual arts, traditional music, modern dance and classic circus skills, Phare, The Cambodian Circus exemplifies the development and progression of visual arts in Cambodia. With ABOUTAsia, you can personally meet the artists after a performance and enjoy a cocktail whilst learning more about their training. Or, if you’re daring enough, give it a go yourself and join the group for a private artistic and circus skills workshop.

Even if you’re only in Siem Reap for a fleeting visit to the temples, be sure to check out this highly enjoyable one-hour evening show, which we can arrange in your itinerary for you. You can learn more about the NGO behind it here.

Essential Info

-Show starts at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm), Mon-Sun.
-1hr performance time, no interval
-Tickets cost $15 per person, booked through ABOUTAsia
-Kids (under 120cm) $8
-Small children (under 80cm) go free.

More Arts Activities
-Catch a traditional Apsara Dance show and dinner at Angkor Village or Raffles Hotel
-Meet local artists such as the painter and craftsman Theam, of Theam’s House – a unique blend of art studio, gallery and shop.

Contact one of our expert travel advisers on the Circus and more unusual activities you can experience while in Cambodia on cambodia@aboutasiatravel.com