How to Play Angkor Wat, the Most Famous Temple in Cambodia?

Angkor Wat in the broad sense is a group of buildings, including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Phnom Bakheng, Bayon Temple, Banteay Srei, Banteay Chhmar, etc., is the largest temple complex in the world, so large that it takes about two weeks to see it. It is different from the Mogao Grottoes in China, which were built in caves carved out of cliffs and decorated with Buddhist statues. Angkor Wat was built during the Chenla dynasty from the 7th to the 14th century AD. It was made of giant stones stacked together to form temples and royal cities. Chenla culture believes that people’s lives are finite and they live in wooden houses, while spirits live forever and are enshrined in immortal stone buildings.

Angkor Wat in the narrow sense refers to Angkor Wat Temple, built in the 11th century, also known as Angkor Thom, is the best preserved temple in Angkor Wat, dedicated to Vishnu, the cosmic guardian deity in Hinduism. It is the best place to enjoy the sunrise at Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat was built between the 7th and 14th centuries AD, in the Chenla capital of Angkor (present-day Siem Reap, Cambodia). During the prosperous period of the Chenla dynasty, it possessed almost all the territory of Southeast Asia today. However, with the decline of the dynasty, around the beginning of the 15th century, Siam (present-day Thailand) defeated the Chenla capital of Angkor. Countless people were killed and injured in the war, and the hot climate, the outbreak of plague, and the instability caused by the war forced the Chenla dynasty to relocate its capital to Phnom Penh. From then on, the Angkor complex was deserted and forgotten by people, buried deep in the jungle. A few Khmer hunters accidentally discovered and worshipped it, but it was not known to the world.

In the 19th century, a Frenchman named Mouhot came deep into the jungle to find insects to make specimens, and accidentally discovered a magnificent temple – Angkor Wat. The following year, France colonized Cambodia and excavated Angkor Wat, which gradually appeared before the world. I always can’t help but imagine how touched this Frenchman would have been when he discovered this deep and magnificent temple. Even today, when I take a tutu car, pass through the forest, rush past the mottled gate of Angkor Thom, and stand under the scorching sun with other tourists to admire such huge stone pillars and sculptures, I am still deeply moved.

The gods worshipped in Angkor Wat changed according to the beliefs of the reigning monarchs. Before Jayavarman VII, the gods worshipped were mostly Shiva or Vishnu, a god of destruction and a guardian deity, in Hinduism. King Jayavarman VII was a very important king in Angkor’s history. He converted to Buddhism, and the famous Bayon smile was built in the image of the Buddha he believed in.

Angkor Pass: $20 USD/person for 1 day pass; $40 USD/person for 3 day pass; $60 USD/person for 7 day pass; Banteay Srei charges an additional $5 USD/person.

Before going to Angkor, the most common strategy is about the small circle, the big circle, and the outer circle. These circles are all planned by ourselves and differentiated according to the way we browse, but there are still some differences. The attractions included in each circle in different strategies are slightly different, and it is indeed a bit confusing at first glance. Generally, tourists visiting Angkor Wat plan their itinerary for 3 days, which are:

Small Circle (Angkor Wat sunrise – Angkor Thom – Thommanon Temple – Chau Say Tevoda Temple – Ta Prohm Temple – Bayon Temple – Phnom Bakheng sunset), Big Circle (Srei Temple – Banteay Srei – Preah Vihear Temple – East Mebon Temple – Ta Som Temple – Neak Pean – Srei Temple – Phnom Bakheng sunset) Outer Circle (Banteay Srei – Koh Ker – Banteay Chhmar – Roluos Temple Group)

The tour route has been practiced by countless predecessors before, considering factors such as distance, time, and physical strength. Therefore, for tourists with limited travel time, mature existing routes are a good choice. Actually, the drivers who pick you up in a car all have a map on their car, and they know the route they are going to take every day like the back of their hand. All the attractions in all the circles will be covered, so it doesn’t matter if you don’t understand exactly what each circle is. Some people will complain that the attractions are similar and repetitive, making people feel aesthetic fatigue. In fact, if you plan your route in advance, you will find that each scenic spot has its own unique charm.

Of course, the most classic ones are Bayon Temple in the small circle, which is the location of the Bayon smile statue group, and the most famous Angkor Wat Temple.

Here’s a common route. First go to the big circle, which is relatively less classic, then to the most shocking small circle, and finally to the outer circle, which is the farthest. The small circle is the most tiring and requires a lot of physical strength.

If you come to Siem Reap, you must get up early to see the unforgettable sunrise at Angkor Wat. Even I, who love to sleep in, got up early. Moreover, the service of most hotels is very considerate. Just tell the front desk in advance, and they will help you prepare a take-away breakfast.

Besides, there is the sunset on Tonle Sap Lake, with its dazzling and ever-changing light, it is breathtakingly beautiful.

The temples in Siem Reap have a darker color scheme, mostly black and gray. White and red skirts are a good choice. Temples require that you cannot wear halter tops or mini-skirts. If the skirt is halter-style, you can wear a jacket outside like I did. Just take it off when taking pictures.

Angkor Wat is most famous for its sunrise and sunset. These temples will form very unique light and shadow textures under the strong sunlight in the early morning and late afternoon, which is perfect for taking pictures. You can focus on taking pictures before 10 am and after 3:30 pm for better results.

Transportation fees within Cambodia: 2 days walking + 1 day car rental (Banteay Chhmar and Tonle Sap Lake $70 car fare + $50 boat ticket, if you join a group tour with local travel agencies, the cost will be much less, Banteay Chhmar group tour costs $25 per person, Tonle Sap Lake group tour costs 18 yuan per person) + 3 days tuktuk car

Fruits in Cambodia are very cheap, but they are not as delicious as those in Thailand, and the taste is average. There are sugarcane juice stalls around the scenic area, you can try it if you haven’t tried it before. In terms of meals, the most famous is Khmer Kitchen on Pub Street, which tastes good. After dinner, you can go for a stroll on Pub Street and find a pub for a drink, which is very comfortable.

Khmer Kitchen Restaurant

The most popular Khmer restaurant in Siem Reap, a healthy and hygienic internet celebrity store.

Address: between street 9 & street 11, Old Market, Siem Reap, Cambodia

+855-12-763468

Recommended dishes: amok fish, cold skin spring rolls, Tom Yum soup

The Red Piano

Famous for Angelina Jolie, the location is also quite prominent

Address: No. 341, Street 8, Mondul 1 Village, Svay Dangkom District, Siem Reap

+855-63-963240

To be precise, this is a bar, many European and American tourists come here to drink. The must-order cocktail Tomb Raider Cocktail is also the one that Angelina drank. I highly recommend the BBQ chicken pizza, the cheese is very generous.

The Blue Pumpkin

Delicious ice cream, special desserts and comfortable beds for lying down and eating. A must-try for lazy people.

Address: 365 Mondol 1, Svay Dang Kum, Siem Reap, Cambodia

+855-63-963574

Very affordable ice cream shop, you can’t go wrong no matter what you order. Strongly recommend the Tom Yum pasta, it’s super flavorful!

1. If you are applying for a visa on arrival, it costs $30 USD/person.

2. Choose to travel during the off-season, and plane tickets and hotels can be cheaper.

3. Pub Street’s consumption is relatively high, after all, it is a place where tourists gather, especially some restaurants, which are not particularly cheap. You can try some street stalls, occasionally eating is also quite flavorful and the price is extremely cheap.

4. You can buy fruits on the way to the suburbs or at the farmer’s market.

5. Local people are really kind and sincere, there is basically no phenomenon of ripping off tourists, the prices are cheap and fair. We took tuktuk cars, and the prices are transparent.