Discovering the Temples of Angkor
The Angkor site in Cambodia is a remnant of the Khmer Empire. It was Emperor Suryavarman II who ordered the construction of the Angkor Wat temple, the largest temple of the former Khmer capital and today the largest religious building in the world. Nearly forty years were required to complete its construction. Its former name in Khmer meant "temple city." Angkor Wat is the symbol of Cambodia; it is believed to have been a funerary temple. Today, it serves as a Buddhist pilgrimage site, although it was previously dedicated to worshiping kings and the Hindu god Vishnu.
Angkor Wat covers an area of nearly 200 hectares; the surrounding wall measures 1,025 meters in length and 800 meters in width. Built to the south of the capital Angkor Thom, it occupies the southeastern part of the ancient city of Angkor. Archaeologists suggest that the "tomb of Lou Pan" to the south of the capital might belong to the Angkor Wat site, which would confirm the theory of a funerary temple. The old city of Angkor is surrounded by a wall more than 12 kilometers long, resembling a vast fortress where precious treasures might be hidden.
A millennial history to tell
Like most temples in Angkor, Angkor Wat was constructed following the traditional architecture of mountain temples and gallery temples, symbolizing the myth of Mount Meru, the center of the world in Hinduism. The site is protected by moats; its logical structure with perfect proportions makes it a harmonious place. Approaching the gigantic towers adorned with carved smiling figures, you'll see, at the Bayon, scenes of life depicting the past of the Khmers. Several worlds overlap: the world of the gods precedes that of the kings, while below, the world of the people and servants is represented, watching a cockfight. Some historical events are also depicted, such as the naval battle between the Khmers and the Chams.
The two most famous monuments of this vast archaeological site are Banteay Srei, where pink sandstone sculptures are found, and the apsara sculptures representing young warriors of perfect beauty. You'll marvel at the delicacy of each one's features.
The Preah Palilay temple, surrounded by gigantic trees, is also one of the must-see monuments.
Nature retains its rights
Given the site's vastness, several days are necessary to discover the majority of the temples and monuments present in Angkor. Do not miss witnessing a sunset over the Srah Strang basin; this scene of absolute tranquility will undoubtedly be one of your most memorable experiences.
Vines and intertwined tree roots invade Ta Prohm, which has not yet been restored. This gives you an idea of the state in which the monuments of Angkor were before restoration efforts began. It's a long-term task that, however, proves necessary if we want to preserve one of humanity's most beautiful heritages. There, the forest quickly reclaims its rights; humans must constantly intervene if they wish to keep the site intact.
In two days, you won't tire of walking along the long avenues of the world's largest archaeological park. You'll discover, at the bend of paths, a temple, statues, a wall. Angkor Thom (Great Angkor) is surrounded by a wall four kilometers long, adorned with five gates above which the main kings of Cambodia have been sculpted. The site was built a few decades after the construction of Angkor Wat by King Jayavarman VII. If you visit Angkor Wat, you won't be able to avoid visiting Angkor Thom; the two are located nearby. It's by walking a few minutes through the jungle, starting from Angkor Wat, that you'll reach the site. The Bayon, located at the center of the fortified city, is one of the most famous monuments of Angkor.
Angkor: A timeless tourist classic
Located near the city of Siem Reap, the entire Angkor complex is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its temples are Cambodia’s most popular tourist attraction. Spanning an exceptional area of 800 km², the site is home to approximately 1,200 Khmer temples. During their visit, tourists will frequently encounter Buddhist monks.
This is a part of Cambodia where traditions remain deeply rooted. Inside the five towers of Angkor Wat, you may see elderly women burning incense sticks. Angkor Wat, the principal temple of the former Khmer capital, beautifully reflects the blend of the two religions—Hinduism and Buddhism.
Tourism has grown significantly in Cambodia, and hotel resorts have been developed to meet the rising demand. Angkor has become one of the country’s top destinations, alongside Phnom Penh. A few days are enough to visit these two major tourist sites.
Sheltered behind massive walls, visitors step into the heart of one of Asia’s most breathtaking archaeological sites. Angkor Wat, the most important temple in the Angkor complex, is a gem of Khmer architecture. Deep within a dense and often unforgiving jungle, the temples and monuments rise proudly before the visitor, captivated by a setting that feels almost magical.