The ancient Khmer capital of Angkor is today one of the most remarkable and impressive sights in all of Asia. For much of its 600 years, the Angkor empire’s regional power was unrivaled, and under a number of its ‘god-kings’ such as Jayavarman the 7th the artistic exploits of the Khmer kingdom went unrivalled. With Cambodia at peace again, and newly-developed tourist facilties, fine hotels and several daily flights into the nearby town of Siem Reap, the treasures of Angkor are now being rediscovered by the outside world.
Foremost amongst these is the 12th Century temple of Angkor Wat itself . Taking the lengthy sandstone causeway across the temple’s huge moat transports visitors into a world of Hindu and Khmer legend and artistry. Your Travel Indochina guide will explain the stories behind the stunning bas reliefs that line nearly a kilometre of the complex’s inner walls. From here, enter the main temple through the Gallery of a Thousand Buddhas and, if the steep and perilously narrow steps don’t deter you, climb the central tower representing the Abode of the Gods, Mount Meru, for superb views over the temple and surrounding countryside.
Home of Angkor Wat, one of the greatest religious monuments in the world, Siem Reap is a charming tree-lined city with a narrow river flowing through the center of town. While most visitors spend their time exploring the ancient temple ruins, there are plenty of other diversions in town. The Tonle Sap Lake (and river), considered the heart of Cambodia, is located near here and boat tours offer visitors a glimpse into the traditional Khmer way of life. Floating villages, sunset cruises and tours of the bird reserve of Prek Tuol are all worthwhile.
We journey on through the magnificent South Gate of the fortified city of Angkor Thom to the Bayon, where more than 200 massive stone faces of the Hindu deity Avalokiteshwara make for one of Angkor’s most dramatic sights.
Walk the Terrace of Elephants nearby, and explore another of Angkor’s remarkable experiences: the jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm, where gigantic snaking roots wind in and out of the pavilions, corridors and crumbling walls of a grand structure which once boasted over 600 resident dancers, now reclaimed by towering jungle trees and screeching flocks of parrots.
ANGKOR THOM
Angkor Thom is the last capital of Angkor period (AD 802-1432) until the 15th century, was indeed a Great City as it name implies, and it served as the religious and administrative center of the vast and powerful Khmer Empire. Angkor Thom was constructed late 12th to early 13th century C.E by Jayavarman VII. Angkor Thom is a microcosm of universe divided into four parts by the main axes. Bayon temple stands as the symbolic link between heaven and earth. The wall enclosing the city of Angkor Thom represents the stone wall around universe and the mountain ranges around Meru. The surrounding moat suggests the cosmic ocean.
ANGKOR WAT
Angkor Wat 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. Angkor Wat was contracted mid 12th century by Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple, it has served as a Buddhist. 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 surrounded by a central tower. Some say that is good luck to play homage to all four Buddha images before departing Angkor.
BAKONG TEMPLE
Bakong Temple is south of Preah Kor temple. It was also built by King Indravarman I in AD 881, dedicating to Shiva Brahmanism. The temple was the center of Hariharalaya city and was probably the state of King Indravarman. It is a temple-mountain symbolizing the cosmic Mount Meru. Four levels leading to the central sanctuary extend the symbolism, and correspond to the worlds of mythical beings-nagas, garudas, rakasas, and yakshas. The fifth and top most level is reserved for the gods-the levels represent the five cosmic levels of Mount Meru.
BANTEAY KDEI TEMPLE
Banteay Kdei is located south-east of Ta Prohm. The temple was built in the late half of the 12th and early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII. The temple is similar in art and architecture of Ta Prohm but it is smaller and less complex. It is unknown to whom this temple was dedicated as the inscription stone has never been found.
BANTEAY SAMRE TEMPLE
Banteay Samre was built in the middle of the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, dedicating to Visnu Brahmaninsm. A unique feature is an interior moat with laterite paving, which when filled with water must have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple. All of the structures around the moat are on a raised base with horizontal moldings, decorated in some areas with figures framed by lotus buds.
BANTEAY SREI TEMPLE
Banteay Srei Temple was built in the second half of the 10th century during the reign of King Rajendravarman and King Jayavarman V, dedicating to Brahmanism. The special charm of this temple lies in its remarkable state of preservation, small size and excellence of decoration. Some unanimous archaeologists say that Banteay Srei is a precious gem and jewel in Khmer art.
BENG MEALEA
Beng Mealea is a temple in the Angkor Wat style located 40 km east of the main group of temples at Angkor, and 77 km from Siem Reap. It is largely unrestored, with trees and thick brush thriving amidst its towers and courtyards and many of its stones lying in great heaps. The temple was built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. The basic layout is three enclosing galleries around a central sanctuary. Structures known as libraries lie to the right and left of the avenue that leads in from the east. There is extensive carving of scenes from Hindu mythology, including the Churning of the Sea of Milk and Vishnu being borne by the bird god Garuda. Causeways have long balustrades formed by bodies of the seven-headed Naga serpent.
BAPHUON TEMPLE
Baphuon Temple was built in 11th century by King Udayadityavarman II (AD 1050-1066), dedicating to Brahmansim. A highlight of the temple is the bas-reliefs, which differ from most others as they are vignettes carved in small stone squares set one above the other on the temple walls, similar to tiling. Unfortunately few of these are visible because of the poor state of the temple.
BAYON TEMPLE
Bayon Temple was built in the late 12th and early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII. Over 200 large faces caved on the 54 towers give this temple its majestic character, which at that time presents the 54 provinces in Cambodia. The iconography of the four faces has been widely debated by scholars and some think they represent the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, in keeping with the Buddhist character of the temple, it is generally accepted that the four faces on each of the towers are images of King Jayavarman VII and signify the omnipresence of the King.
CHAO SAY TEVADA TEMPLE
Chao Say Tevada Temple was built in the late 11th and early 12th centuries by King Suryavarman II, dedicating to Brashmanism. Chao Say Tevada and Thommanon Temples are two small monuments framed by the jungle that stand across the road from each other. Because of similarities in plan and form they are often referred to as the brother-sister temple. Chao Say Tevada has deteriorated more than Thommanon.
EAST MEBON TEMPLE
The East Mebon is a 10th Century temple, built during the reign of King Rajendravarman, it stands on what was an artificial island at the center of the now dry East Baray reservoir. Its location reflects Khmer architects' concern with orientation and cardinal directions. Built in the general style of Pre Rup, the East Mebon was dedicated in 953 AD. The sculpture at the East Mebon is varied and exceptional, including two-meter-high free-standing stone elephants at corners of the first and second tiers. Carving on lintels is particularly elegant.
KBAL SPEAN
Kbal Spean is an intricately carved riverbed deep in the foothills of the Cambodian jungle. Lingams are phallic representations sacred to Brahmanism as symbols of fertility, and hundreds of them are carved into the rock here, as are several carvings of rediscovered in 1969.
KRAVAN TEMPLE
Kravan Temple was built in 921 during the reign of King Harshavarman I (AD 910-923), dedicating to Vishnu Brahmanism. It may have been built by high court officials. Although this temple looks small and somewhat undistinguished from the outside, it contains some remarkable brick sculptures in Khmer art. The interiors of two of the five towers have sculptures depicting Vishnu and his consort, Lakshmi; the scene in the central tower is the most impressive, but both brick towers are in a row on one platform which is decorated with carved, sandstone, lintels and columns. All of the towers open to the east.
NEAK PEAN TEMPLE
Neak Pean Temple was built in the second half of the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. The temple seems to have served as a place where pilgrims could go and take the water, both physically and symbolically-the Khmer equivalent of a spa. Neak Pean was originally designed for medical purposes, as it is one of the many hospitals that Jayavarman VII built. The ancients believed that going into these pools would balance the elements in the bather, thus curing disease. In the middle of the four healing ponds is the central water source. There is a statue of Bahala, as a symbol of drowning prevention.
PHNOM BAKHENG TEMPLE
Phnom Bakheng was built in late 9th century as a natural hill by King Yasovarman I (AD 889-910), dedicating to Shiva Brahmanism. Commonly referred to as temple-mountain because it is an earthly facsimile of Mount Meru, it is located on the left side of the road from Angkor Wat to Angkor Thom and attracts scores of tourist who come to watch the sunset or sunrise.
PREAH KHAN TEMPLE
Preah Khan Temple was built in the second half of 12th century in AD 1191 by King Jayavarman VII, dedicating to his father Dharanindravarman. The Buddhist complex covers 56 hectares served as the nucleus of a group that includes Neak Pean and Ta Som. The inscription indicates that Preah Khan was built on the battle site where King Jayavarman VII finally defeated the Chams. In those days it was known as Nagarajacri which mean the city of Preah Khan.
PHNOM KULEN
Phnom Kulen was constructed by Jayavarman II (AD 802-850) proclaimed independence from Java in 802, the Angkorian Empire was born. This mountain plateau served as the capital of the first Khmer Empire for more than half a century before it relocated south to Hariharalaya, know today as Rolous. As many as 20 minor temples are found around the plateau, including Rorng Chen temple, the first pyramid built by an Angkorian King, but many of them are difficult to reach.
PHIMEANAKAS TEMPLE
Phimeanakas Temple was built in late 10th century and early 11th century by three different Kings, King Rajendravarman, King Jayavarman V and King Suryavarman I. It was the temple where the King worshiped. The temple was originally known as Hemasrngagiri which means gold. This temple is associated with a legend that tells of a gold tower inside the royal palace of Angkor the Great, where a serpent-spirit with nine heals lived. The spirit appeared to the Khmer King disguised as a woman and the King had to sleep with her every night in the tower before he joined his wives and concubines in another part of palace. If the King missed even one night it was believed he would die. On this way the royal lineage of the Khmers was perpetuated.
PRE RUP TEMPLE
Pre Rup Temple was built in 961 during the reign of King Rajendravarman, dedicating to Shiva Brashman- ism. The boldness of the architectural design is superb and gives the temple fine balance, scale and proportion. The temple is close in style to the East Mebon, although it was built several years later. It is a temple mountain symbolizing Mount Meru.
LOLEI TEMPLE
Lolei Temple is located north of the main road in the center of Baray, close to a modern Buddhist temple. The temple was built in the late 9th century in 893 by King Yasovaraman I, dedicating to Shiva and in memory of the King's father. Lolei is worth a visit just for its exquisite carvings and inscriptions which some consider to be the finest of the Rolous Group. The temple was originally located in the center of a great Baray, the Indratataka.
SRAH SRONG
Srah Srang was built in late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. It is a large lake which is 700 by 300 meters with an elegant lading terrace of superb proportion and scale. It is pleasant spot to sit and look out over the surrounding plain. Srah Srang always has water and surrounded by greenery.
TASOM TEMPLE
Ta Som Temple was built in early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII, dedicating to his father. A significant feature of Ta Som is the growth of huge ficus tree on the east gopura, which provides a dramatic example of nature and art entwined. The temple is a sign shrine on one level surrounded by three laterite ramparts. The superstructure are carved with four faced. The main tower is cruciform shaped with four porches.
TAPROHM TEMPLE
Ta Prohm was built by King Jayavarman VII from the mid-12th century to the early 13th century and dedicated to Buddhism. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the area, as it has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Ta Prohm has been left in much the same condition in which it was found: the photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors.
TERRACE OF ELEPHANTS
Terrace of the Elephants was built in late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. One of the main attractions of this terrace is the façade decorate with elephants and their riders depicted in profile. The elephants are using their trunks to hunt and flight while tigers claw at them. The Terrace of the Elephants is part of the walled city of Angkor Thom. The terrace was used by Angkor's king Jayavarman VII as a platform from which to view his victorious returning army. The terrace is named for the carvings of elephants on its eastern face.
TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING
Terrace of the Leper King was built in late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. The curious name of this terrace refers to a statue of the Leper King that is on the platform of the terrace. The naked figure is depicted in a seated position with his right knee raised.
THOMMANON TEMPLE
Thommanon Temple was built in the late 11th century and early 12th century by King Suryavar- man II. The temple is rectangular in plan with a sanctuary opening to the east, a moat and a rampart with two gopuras, one on the east and another on the west, and one library near the south-east of the wall.
TAKEO TEMPLE
Ta Keo is an incomplete temple in the Khleang style built as the state temple of Jayavarman V in the late 10th to early 11th century, dedicating to Shiva Brahmanism. Ta Keo Temple, undoubtedly, would have been one of the finest temples at Angkor. Ta Keo is a symbolic depiction of Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods.
TONLE SAP
We take to the water in Siem Reap, home to the famous temples of Angkor Wat, on beautiful Lake Tonle Sap. We cruise on this enormous lake, visiting floating villages complete with schools, restaurants and even a hospital! Witness school children getting to school by their own unique form of public transport - a row boat!
We visit the magnificant and lively lake on our Temples of Angkor and Indochina Explorer tours, a relaxing prelude to climbing the temple of Phnom Bakheng to watch the sun go down over the stunning temples of Angkor.
