Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Siem Reap and the temples of
Angkor
The main - and for some people the only - reason to visit Cambodia is to
experience at first hand the world-famous temples of Angkor, a stupendous
array of ancient religious monuments virtually unrivalled anywhere in Asia
(only the roughly synchronous temples of Bagan in Myanmar come close).
The majestic temple of Angkor Wat, with its five iconic corncob towers rising
high above the surrounding jungle, is the chief attraction, rivalled by the
magical Bayon, embellished with superhuman images of the enigmatically
half-smiling Avalokitesavara, and the jungle-smothered temple remains of Ta
Prohm, with crumbling ruins squeezed between the roots of enormous trees
and creepers. The sheer numbers of tourists descending on these sites may
have eroded some of Angkor's prevailing mystery, although with judicious
planning the worst of the crowds can still be avoided - and whenever you
visit, the ruins will leave an indelible impression.
3
Headline monuments aside, Angkor has an extraordinary wealth of attractions.
Literally hundreds of major temple complexes dot the countryside hereabouts, spread
over an area of some four hundred square kilometres, and for many visitors it's at these
lesser-known destinations that the true spirit and magic of Angkor can still be found.
Even a cursory tour of the more outlying temples of
Roluos
gets you somewhat off the
beaten track, while the intricately carved shrines of
Banteay Srei
are also within easy
reach. Further afield the magnificent temple-citadels of
Beng Mealea
and
Koh Ker
can
be conveniently combined in a single day-trip (perhaps with a visit to remote
Preah
Khan
(Kompong Thom). Further north, the memorable temple of
Preah Vihear
,
perched on a mountaintop overlooking Thailand, has finally re-entered the tourist
mainstream after years of Khmer Rouge occupation and cross-border squabbles. It's
easily combined with a visit to the border boomtown of
Anlong Veng
, famous for its
Massage, spas and swimming
p.141
Cookery classes
p.151
Apsara dance
p.154
Shadow puppets
p.155
Tours of the Tonle Sap lake
p.157
Floats and stilts
p.158
Cambodia's larder
p.159
The temples of Angkor: structure and
symbolism
p.162
Exploring Angkor: temple itineraries
p.164
Avoiding the crowds at Angkor Wat
p.167
Restoring Angkor
p.168
The Churning of the Ocean of Milk
p.169
Phnom Bakheng sunset ascent
p.170
Exploring the Bayon
p.172
Angkor from the air
p.174
Angkor Thom by elephant
p.176
Ba
ing Baphuon
p.177
Crowds at Ta Prohm
p.180
The sacred sword
p.184
What's in a name: Preah Khan
p.194
The vulture restaurant
p.195
What's in a name: Prasat Preah Vihear
p.196
Prasat Preah Vihear: temple wars
p.198
Preah Vihear: crossing to and from
Thailand
p.199
Drumming up business
p.201
Tours around Kompong Thom
p.202
