"Angkor Wat" Angkor Wat by leffe3

Angkor Wat Travel Guide: 1,638 reviews and 4,718 photos

What an extraordinary place. The extensive ruins of an ancient kingdom, like so many places in the world, lost for centuries before being rediscovered by intrepid 19th and early 20th century explorers (Angkor, Petra, the Nile Delta, Mayan & Inca ruins to name but a few). But more recent tragic events (Pol Pot and the Khmere Rouge) kept Angkor out of view to the modern traveller until very recently - consequently, Angkor has yet to become the mass tourism site that it will, eventually, become.

Angkor (Thom & Wat) is only part of an extensive ancient kingdom going back centuries. The Rolous Group to the east is the oldest remaining remains - many of the buildings pre-9th century were made from semi-permanent materials and have been lost. Brick and sandstone constructions at Lolei and Bakong have survived the ravages of history and nature. But it is in Angkor Thom and, in particular the 12th century Angkor Wat that, according to critics, we see the 'pinnacle' of Khmer architecture.

The Angkor sites are some 4kms east of the village of Siem Reap - a sleepy little town on the banks of the Siem Reap river. At the moment, whilst serving tourism, it has yet to be overrun (although this will undoubtedly change in time). A few kms to the south is the Tonle Sap lake (point of arrival by ferry from Phnom Penh) and the floating Vietnamese village. Between the town and lake shores is an incredibly lush and verdant countryside and, probably, the site of many more yet to be discovered ruins.

As a religious site, Angkor remains the home of monks and novices, and throughout the area the incredible-hued orange robes can be seen, juxtaposed against the greys of the stone of the monuments and the green of the jungle.

It is appropriate that the key symbol of Angkor Thom is the enigmatic 'smile' of the carvings of the Bayon. Historians/architects etc still argue as the exact purpose of this huge structure.

Last visit to Angkor Wat: Feb 2001
Intro Updated Mar 23, 2012
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Reviews (45)

Preah Ko - Rolous Group Off The Beaten Path (9)

On the other side of the highway from Lolei is Preah Ko. It is known as the temple of the ancestors, and, although... more travel advice

Phimeanakas Things to Do (32)

'Celestial Palace' is one of the bigger structures somewhat the worse for wear (it was actually being renovated in parts... more travel advice

Only if you're quick -:) Shopping (1)

It went past too quickly -:) Imagine if you'd forgotten soemthing, only to discover the local supermarket had upped and... more travel advice

lake shoreline Off The Beaten Path (9)

Once moved, the local residents spread themselves along the shoreline of the lake, forming a considerable community. But... more travel advice

Restaurants (2)
See All Raised terrace

Transportation (1)
Floating Village

Comments (21)

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Homanded Jun 11, 2009 at 9:55 AM

Your Angkor tips read like a must have guide! Very good job. The monk was indeed extremely photogenic. Good capture.
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Arkeolog Mar 1, 2009 at 7:29 AM

hi there, great page with nice photos and good tips. all the best from Istanbul.Bora
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JessH Jul 15, 2007 at 10:12 PM

Hi Keith. What a gorgeous page! Super info, and how did you manage to get all those pics without the hoards of tourists in the shot?! A page well-done :-) Greetings from a Heidelberg-girl in the desert / Jess in Dubai
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relax47 Jun 3, 2007 at 6:59 PM

great pics visiting there in august can't wait 2 c them in person
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dfactor Jun 6, 2005 at 7:40 AM

kewl pictures u got here. I'm always fascinated by the smilling faces of the buddha in Bayon. I captured some of them on my site too.
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Dariana May 17, 2005 at 9:37 AM

Indeed,incredible and misterious smile.Some of your photo are really brethtaking. Cheers!
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Travel2write May 13, 2005 at 7:30 AM

Great Photos and Tips! T2W
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Bohemedream Jan 9, 2005 at 5:57 PM

Thanks for the very interesting Angkor Wat info and pics !! I really enjoyed checking out your pages !!
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RoyJava Sep 29, 2004 at 12:12 PM

Ver impressive VT Angkor Wat page,... You've seen the sacred Dancing courtesans, the lovely spirits of the Apsaras, the remarkable Avalokiteshvara, famous Leper King, my Garuda, some model-monks and even the South-gate... , thanks greetzzz RoyJava
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mrclay2000 Jan 5, 2004 at 4:43 AM

Unlike my wife, I hold this place in higher esteem than even the pyramids. I'll get the same views as this before it's all over . . .