Angkor Thum Things to Do Tips by Waxbag

Angkor Wat (1112-1152 AD)

Angkor Wat (1112-1152 AD) is considered the largest religious structure in the world. The three tiered temple is surrounded by large walls, and a huge moat. The moat is 190 m wide and is 1.5 km long and 1.3 km wide. It is still filled with water. A causeway on the west side crosses the moat to the outer walls that measure 1025 m by 800 m. A large gate 235 m wide with three large towers dominates the entrance. A paved avenue runs 475 m and 9.5 m wide to the first level of the temple. Four lotus shaped cupolas rise 31 m above the third level with a 55 m tower in the center. The structure is colossal. Bas-reliefs cover the entire structure with 800 m of reliefs alone along the 3rd level that tells mythical Hindu stories.

The Bayon (1181-1219 AD)

The Bayon (1181-1219 AD) is a three tiered temple with winding corridors, steep stairways, 54 gnarly towers, and 216 massive faces that wickedly smile and stare. It is thought that the King constructed this temple with the faces resembling his own to watch out ominously over the provinces of his land. When walking around the temple it is nearly impossible to avoid the stares. There are 1.2 km of bas-reliefs adorning the Bayon incorporating 11,000 figures. The detail of this temple is mind blowing the faces will forever haunt you.

Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm
Mid-12th century to early 13th century
Under King Jayavarman VII
Buddhist, dedicated to the ancestor Brahma

This fascinating temple complex is one of the most mysterious and intriguing temples in Angkor if not the world. The temples have once again gone back to the wilds of the jungle whose strangler figs and banyan trees are intertwined within, between, and on top. The trees are kings here and play a dubious role of destroyer and protector. The temple complex has not been cleared and reconstructed and is left to the visitor as if they are the first to discover it.

Ta Prohm is all constructed on one level but has nearly 40 towers reached by a series of passageways, many obstructed in rubble or vegetation. Sun light may break through openings in the roof to provide some illumination as you scramble through the passages and you really begin to feel like Indiana Jones. This place is magical with a hint of evil. Like many of the temples here at Angkor, this one should be visited in various times of day. The changing light creates many different visual effects as light diffuses through the dense jungle onto the ruined Ta Prohm.

Directions: Located about 3 kms east of The Bayon in the Angkor comlex.
North of Siem Reap, Cambodia