Phare, The Cambodian Circus

About Phare, The Cambodian Circus

Phare, The Cambodian Circus is a contemporary performing-arts venue in Siem Reap where circus, theatre, music, dance, and Cambodian storytelling meet. It grew from Phare Ponleu Selpak, an arts school in Battambang, and its performances are created by trained Cambodian artists. The evening offers a lively contrast to temple sightseeing: instead of ancient stone architecture, you see living performers using movement, strength, rhythm, and theatrical staging to tell Cambodian stories. Phare, The Cambodian Circus is a contemporary performing arts venue in Siem Reap. It serves as a social enterprise supporting disadvantaged Cambodian youth through professional training in circus arts, theatre, music, and dance. The organisation emerged from Phare Ponleu Selpak, an arts school established in Battambang. Performances blend Cambodian storytelling traditions with modern circus techniques. The venue has gained recognition as a significant cultural attraction for visitors seeking authentic Cambodian creative expression beyond the Angkor temple complexes. The circus performances incorporate acrobatics, storytelling, and music that generally appeal to varied ages. Parental discretion is advised regarding thematic content, which may address challenging aspects of Cambodian history and society. Seating comfort and duration should be considered for younger children.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

What's inside

The main experience is a ticketed circus performance in a theatre-style setting. Shows can combine acrobatics, aerial work, contortion, dance, live music, and dramatic storytelling. The content draws on Cambodian history, folklore, and contemporary life, so the performance carries emotional and social meaning as well as physical spectacle. Seating faces the performance area, keeping the audience close to the action. This is a show to watch attentively, not an interactive museum or a casual street performance. The venue contains a performance space with seating arranged for circus-style shows.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

How long to spend

Plan the performance as an evening commitment rather than a short stop between attractions. Arriving before the curtain gives you time to reach your seat and settle in. The show itself commonly occupies roughly an hour to an hour and a half, while the full outing also includes transport before and after the performance. Add time for dinner separately if you want a meal in Siem Reap. The venue works especially well after a temple day when you want culture without more walking.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

Season and crowds

Book Phare for an evening when you have finished your outdoor sightseeing and can give the performance your full attention. It suits travelers looking for a cultural night out, families wanting a visual show, and visitors who prefer contemporary Cambodian art alongside temple visits. Reserve ahead during busy travel periods, since a performance has a fixed seating capacity and a missed start cannot be recreated later in the evening. Leave enough time for the journey and return ride.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

Tickets

Buy tickets through the venue's official booking route or another clearly authorized seller, and choose seating according to how close you want to be to the action. Keep the booking details accessible on your phone or in printed form. Prices and seating categories can differ by production and date, so compare the specific performance you plan to attend. The social-enterprise model makes attendance part of a cultural evening and supports the organisation's work with young Cambodian artists.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

Getting there

Reach the venue from central Siem Reap by tuk-tuk, remork, bicycle, motorbike taxi, or on foot when your accommodation is close enough. For an evening show, arrange your return ride before the performance begins or ask your driver to wait. Agree an unmetered fare before departure. The route is easiest when treated as a dedicated evening outing, with dinner before or after the show rather than trying to combine it with a distant attraction at the same time.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

What to watch out for

Choose clothing that is comfortable for seated viewing and bring a light layer if the theatre feels cool after the outdoor heat. Arrive early enough to find your seat without crossing the audience after the show starts. Give performers your full attention and keep phones quiet. The work presents professional artists, so respond to the performance as serious theatre and circus rather than as a charity display. Keep bags secure and plan transport for the journey home.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

Photography

Treat the performance as a live theatre event. Keep your phone silent and do not let a screen or flash distract performers and nearby audience members. Photograph only in areas and moments permitted by the venue, such as designated pre-show or post-show opportunities. Do not record the production for personal or commercial distribution unless the venue expressly allows it. If you want a visual memory, capture the exterior or a permitted moment and spend the show watching the artists directly.

Checked 2026-08-26 · Source

Where it is

• 45 min

  18 min walk

  Artisans d'Angkor

  • Must see
  • Market
• 45 min

  18 min walk

  Angkor Night Market

  • Must see
  • Market
• 45 min

  22 min walk

  Pub Street

  • Must see
  • Historic monument

External links