The Temples of Angkor

One of the most popular attractions in Cambodia are the temples of Angkor. You may have heard of Angkor Wat or the Angkor Archaeological Park, which are essentially the same thing! The significance of the temples of Angkor is overwhelming and it is the best way to learn all about Cambodian history and culture.

Angkor was the area of old Cambodia that served as the seat of the Khmer Empire, which was very prominent from the 9th to the 13th century. Angkor was an area that was located among forests and is situated in the modern day area of Siem Reap. A team of researchers estimated in 2007 that Angkor covered a humongous 1,000 square kilometres and could have supported a population of up to 1 million people.

The astonishing thing about this attraction is that there are over 1,000 temples within the area of old Angkor. Many are very non-descriptive and are now no more than piles of bricks and rubble in rice fields. But then at the other end of the scale, you have the magnificently preserved temples including Angkor Wat, which is reputed to be the largest religious monument in the whole world!

To see Angkor Wat is worth the time and effort to visit the site alone. This is a magnificent three-tiered structure that is a classic example of Khmer architecture and building methods. It has five towers protruding out of the top that are shaped in the form of lotus flowers. It served as the state temple at the time of King Suryavarman II and was dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu. Angkor Wat is surrounded by a moat and has exterior walls that are ornately decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs. It is said that the best time to visit this temple is after 2pm so that you can take in the most amazing and spiritual views.

The other temple that you are most likely to head to first on your visit is the

Photo by el Fakir–flickr

Bayon. This temple is the one that has the faces and is a modern day symbol of all that represents Khmer art and architecture. The Bayon has 37 towers and most of them have the four faces carved on each, all pointing in the relevant cardinal points. The best bas-reliefs can be found on the Bayon temple on the outside of the lower levels and on the upper levels right next to where the awesome stone faces are located. It is also worth viewing the bas-reliefs on the south wall as they depict scenes from an historical sea battle.

If you loved the scenery in the movie Tomb Raider, then you have to make your way to the Ta Prohm temple. It has intentionally been left unrestored and is partially covered by jungle overgrowth including the trunks of silk-cotton trees, which only adds to its charm. Ta Prohm is a sprawling complex of monastic buildings and it is filled with towers, dark corridors and plazas to explore. Of the monastic complexes that can be seen in Cambodia, Ta Prohm is one of the finest examples and should be on your itinerary after Angkor Wat and Bayon!

Although there are so many temples to see at the archaeological park, one of the most interesting and popular is the Terrace of The Leper King. This is a double terrace situated to the north of the Terrace of Elephants and features mythical creatures, dragons and nagas carved into it. This terrace was named after the statute that was sitting on top of it when it was excavated. The Leper King statue that is at the site now is a copy; the original can be seen at the National Museum in Phnom Penh.

The temples mentioned are only a glimpse of what can be found at the Angkor site. With over 2 million visitors each year, it really is one of the best attractions in Cambodia. It is so immense that you may need more than one day to explore it all properly! A one day pass will cost US$20; you can also purchase a 3 day pass for US$40 (needs to be used within 7 days of purchase) and a 7 day pass for US$60 (needs to be used within 1 month of purchase). Children under the age of 12 are free of charge. The site is open from 5am until 6pm but some of the temples close earlier. It is recommended that you make an itinerary before staring the wondrous journey around the temples.