Angkor

Angkor was the capital of the Khmer Empire that evolved from the 9th century north of the lake Tonle Sap. The Empire encompassed much of south-east Asia, and it has had a lot of political and cultural influence on the whole region until its downfall in the 14th century. Because of this influence of the Khmer Empire and because a number of artistic masterpieces are still left, the site was placed on the World Heritage List.

The first Khmer capital erected here was Roluos. Over the next centuries, the various Khmer rulers built other capital cities for themselves in this area. It was Suryavarman II who built Angkor Wat in the early 12th century, the greatest of all Khmer monuments. Jayavarman VII was responsible for building Angkor Thom, including the Bayon (dedicated to Buddha).

Khmer Empire .

Visit January 2007

Angkor possibly is one of the WHS that attracts the most visitors. The nearby town of Siem Reap is packed with hotels and other amenities for every budget. And still it's not enough, cause a lot of construction is going on to create even more of this. I stayed there for 5 days, and made 4 separate visits to Angkor. I had bought a 3 day pass (for 40 US dollar), but I easily could have stayed longer cause there's so much to see. In all I took over 300 pictures, a personal record of one site. The good thing about Angkor is that it's very diverse. So the 7th temple still is interesting.

My first round I did on a bicycle. I followed what is called the Mini Tour (or Small Circuit). This mainly focusses on Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the two sites closest to Siem Reap and possibly the most impressive. Angkor Wat is the famous building that's on Cambodia's national flag. One of the temples in Angkor Thom is the Bayon, the one with the large smiling Bodhissatva faces.

The next day I went to Banteay Srei, one of the more remote temples. It stands out because red sandstone was used and the carvings here are very delicate. It's a smaller temple than most, but extremely pretty and in very good condition.

On the 3rd day, I decided to check out the famous sunrise at Angkor Wat. So I jumped on the backseat of a motorbike at the center of Siem Reap at 5.30 in the morning, and off we went. The now familiar road to Angkor was buzzing with all kinds of transport, hundreds of people on their way to see the sunrise. The spectacle itself I found a bit disappointing, but it's great to be out there among the monuments so early in the morning.

In the afternoon I did my final round, the Grand Circuit. This takes you along some smaller temples. One of these is Neak Pean, a circular temple in an artificial lake.

More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery

Reviews

(): Siem Reap town (Angkor complex) is the most wonderful place I would like to spend my Khmer New Year holidays there. In Cambodia; our vacation is not more than 10 days and April is the hottest month of the year; but I feel so relaxing if have chance to spend 2 -3 nights in Siem Reap. Angkor Wat! The carved stone of Apsara Dancing; the statues of lions and dragons; the smiley face of 52 heads of Phrum-Mok-Buon (4 faces statues at Angkor Thom); the carved wall about Cambodian life style during the period of Khmer empire (in Bayan Temple), so incredible that all had done by hands. Bantey Srey temple and Phnom Kulen are also my favorite sites. Beside, the vegetation smell especially Phka Chum Pa and Phka Khror Wan… awesome!!!! Food in Cambodia is available for 24 hours…. Even if we don’t cook at home we still can find our favorite cousins and snack in the restaurants or even along our sidewalk with a very tasteful and inexpensive prices. Should you believe me? Only if you had tried once….Don't forget to try Fresh water fish from Tonle Sap lake. Welcome to Cambodia and Siem Reap City!

(): I had only a half day visit Angkor, but cannot and never forget how great Angkor is. This place speaks about craftsmanship, architecture, believe, faith of people in ancient time.

(): Angkor is the world's biggest archaeological site and its masterpiece, Angkor Wat, is the biggest sacred building on earth.Tourists may not go to a country just to see its single heritage, but this is not the case for Cambodia.This is the best place to visit in terms of money and time optimisation.

yim sotheara (cambodia): We are proud to be Cambodian, and remembering all of wonderful and potential during great time bright for our Cambodia. Wish all peace and happiness! Yim Sotheara

Date posted: July 2006

Pao Kruy Lim (Cambodia): Hi everyone!!! I am one of Cambodia citizenship. Right now, I am living in the United States. I love My country so much, becuase there are a lot of special things which no any countries in Asia have. Angkor wat is in number 7 of the world heritages. I love Cambodia, and I have been to Angkor Wat 7 times already. It was fun, and it is the place which everyone should discover. One more special about Angkor Wat is that, Hollywood company is aim to produce many new films in this place. Since the year 2000 many hollywood films had been produced in Angkor. For example, " Tom Raider", " The ghost City", and many more. "Angkor wat is the soul of Cambodia" Pao Kruy Lim

Date posted: December 2005

Tan Tiang Soon (SINGAPORE): Angkor Wat - The Ancient Architectural & Historical Wonder in the World & UNESCO World Heritage Site. When I stepped into the Angkor Complex on my 1st day of visit, I was truly stunned and amazed. Awesome ! Amazing ! My wish has come true ! Ha..ha..ha..... These are my remarks, the words that I shouted and laughed with joy & satifaction when I saw Angkor Wat standing in front of me..... Angkor Thom, The Bayon, Ta Prom.... all are truly magnificent sites!

Date posted: December 2005

Magul (USA): Not only is angkor breathtaking, but stand at a spot of your choosing, and imagine yourself surrounded by the times before its ruins. Monks walking by, soldiers guarding the royal walkways, boats and canoes align along the waterfronts. Lovers enjoying picking, champa flowers (lilies), and people of all sorts walk the busy street of this once powerful city.

Date posted: August 2005

Sim Moneek (Canada): To whom it may concern: It has been three times now that I have visited the great temple of Cambodia. It's amazing everytime I looked at all those stone carvings on the stone wall, they looked so real. The Apsaras smile is fantastic, it looks so real. I love all the temple in Cambodia. My favorite is the Ta Prom temple. There is a tiny temple in the center of Ta Prom where you can pound your chest and you can hear your chest sounds like a thunder, it's fantastic! There are so many Apsaras statues needed to be renovated, also there are so many stones that have fallen on the ground and almost disappeared into the ground. I'll be the guide to my Canadian and German friends who will visiting Cambodian temples in November this year 2005. I hope to see other temples renovated by the time we visit. Thank you. Sincerely Yours, Sim Moneek sie@kayjon.com

Sim Moneek (Canada): It has been three times now that I have visited the great temple of Cambodia. It's amazing everytime I looked at all those stone carvings on the stone wall, they looked so real. The Apsaras smile is fantastic, it looks so real. I love all the temple in Cambodia. My favorite is the Ta Prom temple. There is a tiny temple in the center of Ta Prom where you can pound your chest and you can hear your chest sounds like a thunder, it's fantastic! There are so many Apsaras statues needed to be renovated, also there are so many stones that have fallen on the ground and almost disappeared into the ground. I'll be the guide to my Canadian friends visiting Cambodian temples in November this year 2005. I hope to see other temples renovated by the time we visit. These are some pics I took from the Cambodian temples during my last visit. Here they are:

Matthew Musich (USA): I would say that Angkor is the single most enthralling historical site I have ever seen. The range of levels of preservation is unique among such culturally important "must see" temples. You can not only see some temples in relatively very good repair, but you can also see temples that have been intentionally left as is. You get a chance to discover these temples as they were when they were first "re-discovered" nearly 150 years ago. I have wanted to see Angkor since a friend visited in 2001 and brought back tales of a country finding a new sense of its self and its history. Despite having traveled nearly half of the world previously, I have to say I was a little nervous venturing into Cambodia. These fears turned out to be completely baseless. The Khmers are among the most friendly and genuinely nice people I have come across. When visiting many of the other must see historical sights around the world, I have been poisoned, extorted, and generally treated like the locals would rather just take my money and be done with me. This was not the feeling I got while in Cambodia. Angkor has not yet reached the tourism levels of the Great Pyramids or the Taj Mahal and therefore still allows you the chance to occasionally have a moment alone with your awe. I went to Cambodia with the expectation of seeing Angkor Wat temple and nothing else. I was blown away by the vast amount of other temples in the Angkor complex. If you decide to make the trip, you should definitely set aside a minimum of 4-5 days to see the entire complex. Travel into the nearby countryside and check out the Tonle Sap.

Paul (USA): Angkor, it's breathe taking monument's and carving is a must see.. i love and enjoyed every moment of my time at Angkor.

Mohan Rao Gunti (India): Angkor Wat - The Soul of Cambodia Welcome to Cambodia! And discover the splendor of History, Nature, Culture and Heritage of Cambodia. Cambodia has about everything for everyone. Apart from beautiful heritage places, smiling faces and graces that speak of genuine warmth and charming hospitality, it is rich with distinctive customs and traditions, which are visible in various aspects of architecture, art and craft. The country presents a fascinating history, diverse geography, and rich cultural heritage. Bordered by Thailand in the west, Laos in the north, and Vietnam in the east. Its intriguing architectural and historical Wonder Angkor Wat, Tha Propham, Bayaon and many others …. Mesmerizing remnants of the past will spellbound you with endless wonders and fascination. The ancient temple Angkor Wat is one of the greatest wonders of the oriental world. Masterpieces of decorative details as well as of architectural style, its awe-inspiring ruins survive as testament to the spectacular achievements of Southeast Asias greatest civilization. Today, Angkor is attracting world attention as a priceless heritage site and at the same time, Angkor remains an enduring monument to the people of Cambodia, their past glories, their hopes and aspirations. Angkor is a symbol of power, of greatness, of immortality. Angkor Wat and the other stone temples of the ancient capital of the Khmer were built by god-kings to link the human and the divine in life. Angkor Thom, built in the late 11th century, covers almost four square miles and is enclosed by a 26 foot high wall. The moat surrounding it was once stocked with crocodiles. Its five monumental gates, each more more than 65 feet high, are dominated by four carved faces of the Buddhist Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, facing north, south, east and west. In front of each gate are giant statues of 54 gods on the left, 54 demons on the right. The Bayon rests in the center of Angkor Thom. It is a massive cluster of towers carved with 172 faces of the Bodhisattva. Its interior walls are covered with bas-reliefs, ceremonial pageants or the everyday life of 12th century Angkor. We hope that you will take a passage through Angkor, appreciating it in its entirety, not as the scattered remains of the past but as a vital design in the cultural fabric of the Khmer world. Come and Explore Cambodia.. The Angkor experience! Mohan Rao Gunti, Stationed at Cambodia

Debbie Perry (USA): Just got back from an asian vacation that included Angkor. I have always wanted to see it, and it was spectacular! It was so huge, and the temples so numerous and massive. The impact of the Khmer Rouge was very apparent; the heads of many statues had been chopped off to be sold on the black market by soldiers, the condition of the ruins in general is perilous. The guides let people touch, walk, and climb all over the temples and its grounds which has also contributed to its condition. It is truly a remarkable sight, and anyone interested in ancient culture and heritage should not miss this. The town of Siem Reap was small, nice and safe. People were kind and friendly, and hotels were decent.

Dan Dixon (UK): The best time of day to see the temples is at dawn or dusk. Make sure you get up early and stay till dusk. The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular.

Robert Frostick (USA): Breath-taking. Unbelievable carvings and buildings and many areas are under reconstruction. There are so many sites, it will take several days to see the major sites. Superior food and accomodations in the area. The landmine museum, a small, local place just outside of town was also interesting.

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• Angkor
• Year: 1992
• Country: Cambodia
• Category: Archaeological site, South (East) Asian Religious structure, Buddhist Religious structure, Hindu
• Reasons for inscription
  
  
  News and links:
  » Cambodia is hoping to use a 1000-year-old water system at the country's Angkor temples to prevent the world heritage site from sinking. (14-01-2008).
  » Researchers map Angkor's ancient sprawl: the largest urban sprawl on the planet in medieval times was in fact 10 times bigger than thought. (15-08-2007).
  » Tourist invasion threatens to ruin glories of Angkor Wat. In 1993, after Angkor was added to Unesco's World Heritage List, just 7,650 intrepid visitors ventured to the site. Last year Sokimex, the oil company controversially granted the entrance concession on behalf of the government's Apsara Angkor management, sold almost 900,000 tickets worth $25m. (25-02-2007).
  » Tourism official proposes elephant ban at Angkor (23-09-2006).
  » Archaeologists working at the Angkor Wat temples have nearly completed what has been hailed as the world's largest and most complicated jigsaw puzzle (06-05-2006).
  » History Channel Angkor.
  » Traveladventures.
  » Schätze der Welt.
  » Angkor - 1911 encyclopedia.
  
  
  
  

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