"GREAT CAMBODIA" a Cambodia Travel Page by ssebugz

Cambodia is the homeland of the Khmer. Three periods can be discerned in Khmer history: the pre-Angkor period (before 802), the Angkor period (802-1431) and the post-Angkor period (after 1431). During the Angkor period the centre of the kingdom was at Angkor (see map). The ancient monuments are from this period.

Jayavarman II founded the Angkor kingdom in 802. Some temples on Mount Kulen are attributed to his reign. He was succeeded by his son Jayavarman III. The origins of the next king, Indravarman I, are obscure. He founded Preah Ko (879) and the Bakong (881), both at the village of Roluos. Lolei, also at Roluos, was consacrated in 893 by Yasovarman I, the son of Indravarman I who succeeded him. *Phnom Bakheng (end of the ninth century) was the state temple of this king. Harsavarman I, son and successor of Yasovarman I, built Baksei Chamkrong (beginning of the tenth century). Prasat Kravan was built during the reign of his successor, his brother Isanavarman II, in c. 925. Jayavarman IV, uncle of the two previous kings, was the next king. His capital was in Koh Ker. He was succeeded by his son Harsavarman II. In 944, a ruler of a principality, seized supreme power and established himself as king Rajendravarman in Angkor. His state temple was Pre Rup. During his reign also the beautiful temple Banteay Srei was built. Successive kings were Jayavarman V and Udayadityavarman I. In 1002 two kings, Jayaviravarman and Suryavarman I, made claims to the supreme throne. After nine years of war Suryavarman I appeared more powerful. He reigned until 1049. During his long reign he established a large number of temples, among which Phimeanakas. Udayadityavarman II succeeded Suryavarman II in 1050. He founded the Baphuon. After his death in about 1066 his brother, Harsavarman III, ascended the throne. He was succeeded by Jayavarman VI, who died in about 1107, and Dharanindravarman I, whose reign was only very brief. The latter was overruled by one of his nephews, Suryavarman II, who was inaugurated in 1113. During his long reign Angkor Wat was built. From 1150 to 1165 Yasovarman II was the supreme king. He probably restaured some of the temples of the Roluos group. An usurpator, who installed himself on the throne as Tribhuvanadityavarman, made and end to his reign. He himself was killed by a Cham king, who was in his turn overpowered by Jayavarman VII. Only four years after the Cham agression, in 1181, Jayavarman VII was consecrated supreme king. Many monuments have survived from his reign among which Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei, the terrace of Sras Srang, and Angkor Thom with the Bayon and the elephant terrace, for instance. Jayavarman VII died in about 1220. From the thirteenth century onwards only few monuments have survived. In 1431 the Khmer kings moved their capital from Angkor to the region of Phnom Penh because of pressure from the Thais. This date marks the end of the Angkor period.

The Seaside paradise of Cambodia located South - West of Phnom Penh capital city. The main attractions are Kep resort, Sihanouk Ville and Koh Kong Province.

Kep Resort
A wonderful seaside resort with a beautiful beach, 168 km from Phnom Penh and 25 km from Kampot Provincial town by road no 3.It is a famous seaside resort with seafood and twelve months of sunshine


Sihanouk ville
230 km by road No. 4 from the capital City Phnom Penh is located in South - West of Cambodia. Dazzling white sand and swaying palms lapped by the warm, translucent waters of the Gulf of Siam make Sihanoukville and its surrounding islands a pristine seaside getaway. The city's scenic location is ideal, facing ten tropical islands including Puos Island. Cambodia's seaside paradise can be visited all year round.

Watching the sunset during dinner along the coast is the perfect ending the day. The fresh catch of the day stimulates the palette of seafood lovers. Swimmers can enjoy an evening swim under star filled skies and glid through the warm water filled with phosphorescence that gleams like diamonds. Sihanoukville's population about 132,000. It is also accessible by road. The main road, from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh has become the economic lifeline of Cambodia, as it carries seafood, salt and a variety of imported goods to the capital city and beyond.

Koh Kong Province
Is located in the South - West of Phnom Penh about 277 km. Land area of this province is 11,632 square kilometers with 70% are mountains, 20% sea including 237 km beaches and 20 islands. Population approximately 110,000. There are many attraction in Koh Kong. There are white sand beaches islands, rainforest, water falls, mangrove habitat and fishing places.

Koh Kong can be reached by flight from Phnom Penh (45minutes), by fast boat from Sihanouk Ville ( around 3hrs ) and by road from Thailand at Cham Yem one of the International border check points and visa on arrival is available.

Fact File | Siem Reap - Angkor | Phnom Penh | Sihanouk Ville | Sihanouk Ville | Kep Resort | Koh Kong | Kirirom
Kompong Thaom | Tole Sap | Ratanakiri & Mondulkiri | Preah Vihear Temple | Apsara Dance> | Festivals | Cambodia Map

Siem Reap Angkor

Angkor complex is the soul of Khmer (90% of Cambodian Population). Angkor is the Khmer art and civilization. Angkor complex consists of more than 100 monuments which spreads over an area of more than 400 square kilometers. Angkor the most famous, largest ancient temples and one of the seven wonders of the world.

They were built between 7th and 13th century by Khmer kings when the Khmer civilization was at it height of its extraordinary creativity. It's magnificent architecture as the evidence of the Khmer's strong belief in religions - Hinduism and Buddhism. King Jayavarman Vll is one of the powerful Khmer kings in that period.

The most visited temples in Angkor area are Angkor wat (World Heritage), Angkor Thom- Bayon, Bapoun, Phimeanakas, Takeo, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Pre Rup, East Mebon, Prasat Kravan, Preah Khan, Neak Poan, Ta Som, Banteay Srei, Rolous Group.

ANGKOR WAT
Angkor Wat is the largest temple in the world. It's covered an area of 200 hectares, and it was built by king Suryavarman ll in the middle of the 12th century over a period of around 30 years. On the four sides of the wall, there are the bas relief tells the stories of Hindu and Buddhism religion, and also about 1,600 different sculptures of celestial dancers "Apsara" on the wall of this temple.

ANGKOR THOM
Located the north of Angkor Wat, it was built at the end of 12th century by king Jayavarman Vll, and dedicated to Buddhism. Bayon Temple is located in Angkor Thom with great of 54 towers which its 4 faces each. There are other temples within the Angkor Thom such as Bapoun, Elephant Terrace, Phimeanakas etc.

BAPHUON
Built by King Udayadityavarman ll in 1060AD and dedicated to Brahmanism.

THOMMANON AND CHAU SAY TEVODA
Built by King Suryavarman ll from the end of the XIth to the first half of the XIIth century and dedicated to Brahmanism.

TAKEO
Built by King Jayavarman V and Suryavarman l in 1000AD and was dedicated to Brahmanism

SRAS SRANG (ROYAL BATH)
Built by King Jayavarman Vll at the end of the XIIth century.

PREAH KHAN
Built by King Jayavarman Vll at the second half of the XIth century and dedicated to Buddhism.

TA PROHM TEMPLE
Unlike other temples in Angkor, Ta Prohm surrounded by jungle. It is one of the largest and most attractive temples in Angkor, was built by King Jayavarman Vll from the mid of 12th to the beginning of 13th century, and dedicated to Brahmanism.

BANTEAY KDEI
Built by King Jayavarman Vll from the mid-XIIth to the beginning of XIIIth century and was dedicated to Buddhism.

BAKONG AND PREAH KO
Built by King Indravarman l at the end of the IXth century and dedicated to Brahmanism.