Fun things to do in Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat actually has 5 towers but we often only see three because of the view you take.

To get a proper view of all five towers of the temple, walk to the left of the temple, before the walkway to the temple.

The towers symbolise the dedication to the 3 Hindu Gods of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma and the king's ancestors.

Running around the North and South gallery of the first level of the temple are extensive bas reliefs. They depict Angkorian lifestyle, battles between Gods and demons, invaders and Hindu folklore.

The Ramayana story panel is probably the most intricate and impressive. Experience scenes of demons or humans riding on chariots, monkey soldiers led by Hanuman (monkey general).

The bas-reliefs are carved over two differnet periods separated by 400 years.

Ta Som is another Buddhist temple founded by King Jayavarman VII in the 12th century. It was, like Preah Khan, dedicated to his father. Ta Som is not one of the important sites of Angkor and not part of the usual tourist visitation programmes and therefore very quiet and undisturbed. Some of the stone carvings are in very good condition. The most impressive feature is the huge tree completely overwhelming the eastern gopura.

Baksei Chamkrong is a Hindu temple for the god Shiva, it dates from the tenth century and was probably dedicated to the parents of King Rajendravarman II. It is a single tower on the top of a rectangular, four-tiered platform. The platforms and the stairs were built with laterite, the tower is make up of brick stones. The staircases are very steep and in poor condition.

One of my favorite temples in Angkor due to both its architecture and its relative seclusion from the hordes of tourists.

The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people, who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers. No inscription has been found for this temple, but the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of the middle period similar to Angkor Wat. The monument most likely dates from the same period.

A unique feature is an interior moat with laterite paving that has dried up. All of the buildings around the moat are on a raised base with horizontal mouldings, decorated in some areas with figures framed by lotus buds.

Prasat Kravan is a temple from the early 10th century. The name menas "Cardamom Temple". It is not associated with a king but was probably founded by court officials. The temple is small, just five towers built of brick. It is interesting mainly because of the brick sculptures inside two of the towers - they show the god Shiva and his consort Laksmi. You can climb up the four or five steps to the platform to look at them. On the outside of the central towers are additional sculptures of male guardian figures.

Banteay Kdei (Citadel of the Cells) is another Jayavarman VII temple. It was used as a buddhist monastery all the way until the 1960s. It is similar in style to Ta Phrom, but smaller, and less overgrown with trees. Large parts of the temple are collapsed, but the structures that remain have some interesting carvings. Enter the temple and walk over the large terrace - it was identified as the place where ritual dances were probably performed - some friezes that survived show graceful dancing apsaras.

Preah Rup was built in the 10th century under the reign of King Rajendravarman II. The name Preah Rup means "Turning the Body" and likely refers to a traditional method of cremation. The structure was constructed as a temple-mountain with several levels and the typical five towers arranged in quincunx (four in the corners, one in the middle) on the top platform. The building materials were brick and laterite and the shrines and towers were decorated with stucco, of which part is still visible. Preah Rup appears today largely undecorated which keeps most of the tourists away and can leave you with a quiet place to take in the surrounding views of the jungle.