Exploring the Beautiful Temples of Angkor

Today’s sponsored post is about a destination I’m really looking forward to visiting someday.

In northern Cambodia, world-famous Angkor Wat is just one of a vast complex of beautiful temples covering 400 square kilometres. Together they form the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant archaeological sites in the whole of Southeast Asia.

Once you’ve worked out your holiday travel insurance, find a place to stay in the nearby town of Siem Reap, the main tourist hub for Angkor, then take day trips out to the archaeological sites. On the journeys between the various temples you’ll also enjoy glimpses of life in rural Cambodia, with people working the paddy fields and children making their daily journey to and from school.

Photo by archer10 (Dennis), on Flickr

Background

The temples are relics of the Khmer Empire, spanning the 9th-15th centuries. The earlier structures were built as Hindu temples, but around 1200 Jayavarman VII converted to Mahayana Buddhism and started building new Buddhist temples – including Bayon, Ta Prohm, and many others. His successor, Jayavarman VIII, reverted to Hinduism and removed many Buddhist features from the temples – but eventually Buddhism emerged once again as the favoured philosophy, and the Buddha images seen today are these later Theraveda additions.

Six temples not to miss at Angkor

1. Angkor Wat

Photo by archer10 (Dennis), on Flickr

This is, of course, the largest and most famous temple of all at Angkor: an immense, beautiful and almost overwhelming structure that represents one of the biggest of all Khmer monuments.

Located just a few miles from Siem Reap, it’s a good place to start your day’s explorations. The sun rises behind the temple, offering up opportunities for some colourful photographs if you arrive before the sun peeps above the structure (gates open at 5.30 a.m.). Dating back to the first half of 12th century when it was constructed for King Suryavarman II, the temple is built on a breathtaking scale with intricate bas reliefs depicting scenes from mythological tales and historic events. If you return at the end of the day, the top tier is a lovely place to watch the sun set.

2. Bayon Temple

Photo by saturn ♄, on Flickr

Many striking, world-famous images of Khmer architecture have been captured at Bayon, whose 54 towers are topped by four giant stone faces each, giving a grand total of 216 faces. The stone is quite dark-toned and easiest to photograph in bright light around the middle of the day.

3. Phnom Bakheng

Photo by rubber bullets, on Flickr

With a hilltop setting, this temple is a popular place to watch the sun set, and can get busy towards the end of each day. You need to arrive by 5.30 p.m. at the latest to gain admission, and leave half an hour to hike uphill from the vehicle drop off point in time for sunset. There are few temples in the immediate vicinity, so your view will largely be rural. You might need a torch (flashlight) for the walk back down.

4. Ta Prohm

Photo by archer10 (Dennis), on Flickr

This is another temple you’re likely to recognise from guide books. Incredibly beautiful and evocative, when restoration began in the early 20th century, experts decided that the entwined vegetation would be better left in place. Today this adds to the atmosphere of the temple, and you might even spot  a few scenes from the film Tomb Raider – although I have heard some reports that some of the plants and shrubs have since been cleared, and some trees removed.

5. Banteay Srei

Photo by Allie_Caulfield, on Flickr

Many travellers’ favourite temple is the beautiful, pink-toned Banteay Srei, tangled in giant roots and partly engulfed by the surrounding jungle. Bizarre and unique, it’s a little further from Siem Reap than the rest, but well worth the journey, offering some of the most elegant carvings of all – including some sensual celestial dancers.

6. Banteay Kdei

Photo by ecperez, on Flickr

Often overlooked, Banteay Kdei is a spread-out monastic complex that is pleasantly shaded by trees and set in tranquil grounds, with less tourist traffic than many of the other Angkor temples. Sadly the structure is fast becoming a ruin, but it’s still well worth a visit.

When to visit

Steaming hot all year round, the ‘coolest’ months to visit Angkor are November to February, although that’s also the time when you’ll have to compete with the biggest crowds of tourists and the highest hotel rates in Siem Reap.

Getting around

Every traveller will have their own preference, but personally I would recommend hiring your own tuk tuk and driver for a few days. This option is safer than a motorbike with driver, cheaper than an air-conditioned taxi, more flexible and enjoyable than joining a tour bus, and less sweaty and time consuming than trying to cycle around on your own steam!

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Have you visited any of the temples of Angkor? If so, which were your favorites? And if not, are they on your bucket list?

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*This post was sponsored by a third party.

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