Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DODGING THE CROWDS
Let's be honest: we know some of you are a little cynical when it comes to following our advice on
avoiding other tourists. Sure, a lot of other travellers are carrying Lonely Planet's Cambodia , but bear
in mind that they are a fraction of the overall numbers. Vietnamese, South Korean and Chinese travel-
lers together accounted for around 1.5 million visitors in 2012, or close to half the total number. Very
few, if any, are carrying the Lonely Planet guide, but are visiting the temples in groups of 25 to 75
people at a time. So we suggest you pay close attention to the following advice.
Angkor is on the tourist trail and is getting busier by the year but, with a little planning, it is still
possible to escape the hordes. One important thing to remember, particularly when it comes to sunrise
and sunset, is that places are popular for a reason, and it is worth going with the flow at least once.
It is received wisdom that as Angkor Wat faces west, one should be there for late afternoon, and in
the case of the Bayon, which faces east, in the morning. Ta Prohm, most people seem to agree, can be
visited in the middle of the day because of its umbrella of foliage. This is all well and good, but if you
reverse the order, the temples will still look good - and you can avoid some of the crowds.
The most popular place for sunrise is Angkor Wat. Most tour groups head back to town for break-
fast, so stick around and explore the temple while it's cool and quiet between 7am and 9am. Bayon
sees far fewer visitors than Angkor Wat in the early hours. Sra Srang is usually pretty quiet, and sun-
rise here can be spectacular thanks to reflections in the extensive waters. Phnom Bakheng could be an
attractive option, because the sun comes up behind Angkor Wat and you are far from the madding
crowd that gathers here at sunset, but there are now strict limitations on visitor numbers each day. Ta
Prohm is an alternative option, with no sight of sunrise, but a mysterious and magical atmosphere.
The definitive sunset spot is the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng. This was getting well out of
control, with as many as 1000 tourists clambering around the small structure. However, new restric-
tions limit visitors to no more than 300 at any one time. It is generally better to check it out for sunrise
or early morning and miss the crowds. Staying within the confines of Angkor Wat for sunset is a re-
warding option, as it can be pretty peaceful when most tourists head off to Phnom Bakheng around
4.30pm or so. Pre Rup is popular with some for an authentic rural sunset over the countryside, but this
is starting to get very busy. Better is the hilltop temple of Phnom Krom, which offers commanding
views across Tonlé Sap lake, but involves a long drive back to town in the dark. The Western Baray
takes in the sunset from the eastern end, across its vast waters, or from Western Mebon island, and is
generally a quiet option.
When it comes to the most popular temples, the middle of the day is generally the quietest time.
This is because the majority of the large tour groups head back to Siem Reap for lunch. It is also the
hottest part of the day, which makes it tough going around relatively open temples such as Banteay
Srei and the Bayon, but fine at well-covered temples such as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan and Beng Mealea,
or even the bas-reliefs at Angkor Wat. The busiest times at Angkor Wat are from 6am to 7am and 3pm
to 5pm; at the Bayon, from 8am to 10am; and at Banteay Srei, mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
However, at other popular temples, such as Ta Prohm and Preah Khan, the crowds are harder to pre-
dict, and at most other temples in the Angkor region it's just a case of pot luck. If you pull up outside
and see a car park full of tour buses, you may want to move on to somewhere quieter. The wonderful
thing about Angkor is that there is always another temple to explore.
BICYCLE
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