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Angkor Wat Temples in Cambodia. Ancient Khmer city near Siem Reap Travel information and Hotels.

ANGKOR
INFORMATION
MAP

Siem Reap is the base for visiting the temples of Angkor about 6 km away. The Apsara Authority is responsible for protection and conservation in the Siem Reap/Angkor area.

Angkor Wat

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Fees:One day US$20, three day US$40, one week US$60. Buy it at 4pm and its good for next day as well.

Having a guide used to be compulsory, they are still a good idea, Angkor is a big area and it can be tricky to find your way around.
I never did find Roluos Group, got distracted by a local temple celebration nearby.
Hours are 5am to sunset.
Day tours : Half day/Full day Motorbike with unofficial guide is $5-12, one person only.
Taxi is $20-25 for as many people as they will take.
Minibuses available 12 seat is $40, 22 seat $80.Phnom Kulen is an extra US$20 and Kbal Spean is extra US$3 purchased at these sites.

Official English, French, Thai, Japanese, Italian, German speaking guides are US$20-40 per day
Always carry your ticket, it will be checked now and again. US$30 fine for no ticket.
Hmmm!! Been told that local Parliament member Mr. Hun Sen (also Prime Minister) has control of all monies from temple fees, to distribute at his discretion for the good of the area. Looking at the enormous number of tourists in the high season, thats a lot of hard cash.

WARNINGS:
Stay on the regular paths. Follow your guides advice.
Do not wander away from the main tourist areas. Things are quieter now, but there is still maybe a chance of robbery which is not worth taking.

Hotels / Restaurants / Travel Agents: Angkor see Siem Reap page

History:
From the early 9th century, after the first independent Khmer kingdom was founded by King Jayavarman II, until 1431, when a large part of the population emigrated a few hundred kilometres to the Southeast, Angkor was the capital of a Khmer state, which in its prime covered the major part of Southeast Asia from present-day Burma to present-day southern Vietnam, from today's southern Chinese province of Yunnan and down to the Malayan peninsula.

the Temples of Angkor
Angkor Wat Early - Mid 12th Century, Hinduism, Suryavarman II is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. Angkor Wat is the centerpiece of any visit to the temples of Angkor. At the apex of Khmer political and military dominance in the region, Suryavarman II constructed Angkor Wat in the form of a massive 'temple-mountain' dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu. It served as his state temple, though the temple’s uncommon westward orientation has led some to suggest that it was constructed as Suryavarman II’s funerary temple. Other temples of the same style and period include Thommanon, Banteay Samre, Wat Atwea and Beng Melea, which may have served as a prototype to Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is surrounded by a moat and an exterior wall measuring 1300 meters x 1500 meters. The temple itself is 1 km square and consists of three levels surmounted by a central tower. The walls of the temple are covered inside and out with bas-reliefs and carvings. Nearly 2000 distinctively rendered apsara carvings adorn the walls throughout the temple and represent some of the finest examples of apsara carvings in Angkorian era art. But it is the exterior walls of the lower level that display the most extraordinary bas-reliefs, depicting stories and characters from Hindu mythology, and the historical wars of Suryavarman II. It is in the viewing of the bas-reliefs that a tour guide can be very helpful. The northern reflecting pool in front is the most popular sunrise location. For sunrise, arrive very early, well before sunrise begins. The sun will rise behind Angkor Wat providing a silhouette of Angkor’s distinctively shaped towers against a colored sunrise sky. Some of the best colors appear just before the sun breaks over the horizon. The visual impact of Angkor Wat, particularly on one's first visit, is awesome. As you pass through the outer gate and get your first glimpse, its size and architecture make it appear two dimensional, like a giant postcard photo against the sky. After you cross through the gate and approach the temple along the walkway it slowly gains depth and complexity. To maximize this effect you should make your first visit in optimal lighting conditions, i.e. after 2:00PM. Do not make your first visit to Angkor Wat in the morning when the backlighting obscures the view. The first level of the Angkor Wat is the most artistically interesting. Most visitors begin their exploration of the temple with the bas-reliefs that cover the exterior wall of the first level, following the bas-reliefs counterclockwise around the temple. Bas-relief highlights include the mythological Battle of Kuru on the west wall; the historical march of the army of Suryavarman II, builder of Angkor Wat, against the Cham, followed by scenes from Heaven and Hell on the south wall; and the classic ‘Churning of the Ocean Milk’ on the north wall. The temple interior is not as densely carved as the first level exterior, but still sports hundreds of fine carvings of apsaras and scenes from Hindu mythology. Again, a guide can be quite helpful in explaining the stories of the various chambers, statues and architectural forms to be found in the interior. At the upper-most of your tour of the temple, the central tower on the third level houses four Buddha images, each facing a different cardinal point, highlighting the fact that though Angkor Wat was constructed as a Hindu temple, it has served as a Buddhist temple since Theravada Buddhism became Cambodia’s dominant religion in the 14th century. Some say that it is good luck to pay homage to all four Buddha images before departing Angkor.
Angkor Thom Late 12th - Early 13th Century, Buddhism, Jayavarman VII, Bayon style. Angkor Thom (Big Angkor) is a 3km2 walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian empire. After Jayavarman VII recaptured the Angkorian capital from the Cham invaders in 1181, he began a massive building campaign across the empire, constructing Angkor Thom as his new capital city. He began with existing structures such as Baphuon and Phimeanakas and built a grand enclosed city around them, adding the outer wall/moat and some of Angkor's greatest temples including his state-temple, Bayon, set at the center of the city. There are five entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point, and the victory gate leading to the Royal Palace area. Each gate is crowned with 4 giant faces. The South Gate is often the first stop on a tour of the temples.
The Bayon Late 12th Century, Buddhist, Jayavarman VII. If you see only two temples, Angkor Wat and Bayon should be the ones. The giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognizable images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture. There are 37 standing towers, most but not all sporting four carved faces oriented toward the cardinal points. Who the faces represent is a matter of debate but they may be Loksvara, Mahayana Buddhism's compassionate Bodhisattva, or perhaps a combination of Buddha and Jayavar-man VII. Bayon was the Jayavarman VII's state-temple and in many ways represents the pinnacle of his massive building campaign. It appears to be, and is to some degree, an architectural muddle, in part because it was constructed in a somewhat piecemeal fashion for over a century. The best of Bayon are the bas-reliefs on the exterior walls of the lower level and on the upper level where the stone faces reside. The bas-reliefs on the southern wall contain real-life scenes from the historical sea battle between the Khmer and the Cham. It is not clear whether this represents the Cham invasion of 1177AD or a later battle in which the Khmer were victorious. Even more interesting are extensive carvings of unique and revealing scenes of everyday life that are interspersed among the battle scenes, including market scenes, cockfighting, chess games and childbirth. Also note the unfinished carvings on other walls, likely indicating the death of Jayavarman VII and the subsequent end of his building campaign. Some of the reliefs on the inner walls were carved at a later date under the Hindu king Jayavarman VIII. The surrounding tall jungle makes Bayon a bit dark and flat for photographs near sunrise and sunset.
Terrace of Elephants Late 12th Century, Buddhist, Jayavarman VII A 350 metre wall used as a reviewing platform. The middle section of the wall is decorated with human sized Garudas and Lions. At either end are the two parts of the Parade of Elephants.Impressive, two and a half-meter tall wall spanning the heart of Angkor Thom in front of Baphuon and Phimeanakas. Carved elephants and giant garudas adorn the wall. Constructed in part by Jayavarman VII and extended by his successor. The wall faces east so the best lighting for photography occurs before noon. The Terrace of the Leper King is at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants..
Terrace of the Leper King Late 12th century,Buddhist, Jayavarman VII Just north of the Terrace of the Elephants, this platform is seven metres high, on top is a statue believed to be of King Yasovaram who reputably died of leprosy. The front walls are decorated with tiers of carved Apsaras (dancing girls). A double terrace at the north end of the Terrace of Elephants with deeply carved nagas, demons and other mythological beings. The terrace was named for the statue of the leper king that sits on top. Why the statue is known as the 'leper king' is less clear. Some argue that when the statue was found, its lichen-eaten condition gave it the appearance of leprosy. Others have argued that it is a statue of the leper king of Khmer legend, or that the condition of the statue inspired its connection to the legend. The model for the statue is also a matter of debate. Suggestions include a couple of different Hindu gods, and the Khmer kings Yasovarman I and Jayavarman VII. Recent scholarship favors a combination of Jayavarman VII and Buddha. The statue of the leper king on display at the terrace is a replica. The original resides in the National Museum in Phnom Penh
Ta Prohm Mid 12th - Early 13th Century, Buddhist, Jayavarman VII Of similar design to the later Jayavarman VII temples of Preah Khan and Banteay Kdei, this quiet, sprawling monastic complex is only partially cleared of jungle overgrowth. Intentionally left partially unrestored, massive fig and silk-cotton trees grow from the towers and corridors offering some of the best ‘tree-in-temple’ photo opportunities at Angkor. Flocks of noisy parrots flit from tree to tree adding to the jungle atmosphere. Ta Prohm is well worth an extended exploration of its dark corridors and open plazas. This temple was one of Jayavarman VII's first major temple projects. Ta Prohm was dedicated to his mother. (Preah Khan, built shortly after Ta Prohm in the same general style, was dedicated to Jayavarman VII’s father.) Ta Prohm was originally constructed as a Buddhist monastery and was enormously wealthy in its time, boasting of control over 3000 villages, thousands of support staff and vast stores of jewels and gold. Of the monastic complex style temples, Ta Prohm is a superior example and should be included in almost any temple itinerary.
Roluos Group Late 9th Century, Hindu The Roluos Group is a collection of monuments representing the remains of Hariharalaya, the first major capital of the Angkorian era Khmer Empire. It has become known as the ‘Roluos Group’ due to its proximity to the modern town of Roluos. The ancient capital was named for Hari-Hara, a synthesis of the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu. Though there was an existing settlement in the area before the rise of Angkor, Hariharalaya was established as a capital city by Jayavarman II and served as the Khmer capital for over 70 years under four successive kings. Setting the pattern for the next four centuries, the first great Khmer temples (Bakong, Preah Ko, Lolei - see listings) and baray (reservoir) were constructed at Hariharalaya. The last king at Hariharalaya, Yasovarman I, built the first major temple at Angkor, Phnom Bakheng, and moved the capital to the Bakheng area in 905 C.E. With the exception of a 20 year interruption in the 10th century, the capitol would remain at Angkor until 1422 C.E. 12km (20 minutes) from Siem Reap.
Preah Ko Late 9th Century, Hindu In the Roluos Group. One of the first major temples of the empire at the early Khmer capital of Hariharalaya. Preah Ko (Sacred Bull) derives its name from the statues of bulls at the front of the central towers. Many of the carvings are in very good condition providing excellent examples of the deep, vivid Preah Ko style Khmer art.
Bakong Late 9th Century, Hindu, Indravarman I Roluos Group: The most impressive member of the Roluos Group, sitting at the center of the first Khmer capital, Hariharalaya. Bakong stands 15 meters tall and is 650x850 meters at the outer wall. Constructed by the third Angkorian-era king as his state-temple, Bakong represents the first application of the temple-mountain architectural formula on a grand scale and set the architectural tone for the next 400 years. The temple displays a very early use of stone rather than brick. Though begun by Indravarman I, Bakong received additions and was expanded by later kings. The uppermost section and tower may have been added as late as the 12th century AD. Some of the lintel carvings, particularly on the outer towers, are in very good shape. Picturesque moat and vegetation surround Bakong.
Banteay Srey Late 10th Century, Hindu, Rajendravarman Banteay Srey tempbantsrey1.jpg (11301 bytes) Banteay Srey loosely translates to ‘citadel of the women’, but this is a modern appellation that probably refers to the delicate beauty of the carvings. Built at a time when the Khmer Empire was gaining significant power and territory, the temple was constructed by a Brahmin counselor under a powerful king, Rajendravarman and later under Jayavarman V. Banteay Srey displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. The walls are densely covered with some of the most beautiful, deep and intricate carvings of any Angkorian temple. The temple's relatively small size, pink sandstone construction and ornate design give it a fairyland ambiance. The colors are best before 10:30 AM and after 2:00 PM, but there are fewer tourists in the afternoon. This temple was discovered by French archaeologists relatively late, in 1914. The temple area closes at 5:00 PM. Banteay Srey lies 38 km from Siem Reap, requiring extra travel time. Drivers usually charge a fee in addition to their normal daily charge for the trip. Banteay Srey is well worth the extra effort. Combine a visit to Banteay Srey with Banteay Samre.
Barays A baray is a water reservoir - an area of land where dikes have been raised to catch and hold water. Angkorian kings built massive barays, and such projects became one of the marks of Angkorian kingship. At the center of each baray is an island temple. The first major baray to be constructed (Indratataka), measuring 3.8km x 880m, was completed in 889AD when the capital was still at Hariharalaya near Roluos. Lolei sat on an island in the middle. Construction of the second major baray (i.e. the East Baray or Yashodharatataka), began almost immediately after the first. At 7.8km x 880m it was almost five times larger than the Indratataka. Almost 50 years later, East Mebon was constructed on an island in the center. The third and largest (8km x 2.2km) is the West Baray built in the early 11th century. West Mebon sits on a central artificial island. The last baray (Jayatataka) was constructed by Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. It is considered to be the baray of Preah Khan though the unique temple, Neak Pean, sits at the center. The function of barays is a matter of academic debate. A recent study has asserted that the barays did not serve an agricultural purpose but were built and maintained for political/religious reasons. More conventional wisdom has it that the barays were part of a giant water works used to irrigate the rice paddies and provide water for year round cultivation, though they certainly served a political and religious function as well.
Beng Melea Early 11th Century, Hindu, Suryavarman II Sprawling jungle temple covering over one square kilometer. The temple is largely overrun by vegetation. Constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style, Beng Melea preceded and may have served as a prototype of sorts for Angkor Wat. Very few carvings or bas-reliefs are evident and may never have existed. When the temple was active, the walls may have been covered, painted or had frescos. In its time, Beng Melea was at the crossroads of several major highways that ran to Angkor, Koh Ker, Preah Vihear (in northern Cambodia) and northern Vietnam. Regular admission ticket not required but there is a separate $5 entrance fee. Beng Melea is located 60km east of town and requires an arduous 3-hour journey to get there. The area has only recently become available to visitors, being demined just last year. Poor roads through beautiful countryside, and lack of visitors at the temple give the trip a real expedition feel. Graded dirt road with occasional flooding in the rainy season. Consider contacting a tour guide that specializes in the distant temples such as Terre Cambodge.

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