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Angkor Wat Angkor Wat
277 Reviews We started our tour with Angkor Wat. This is just one of the many Angkor temples in Siem Reap. It took us more than one hour to see everything here. The tour guide vividly explained everything we need...
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Sunset at Bakheng Hill Angkor Wat
48 Reviews To catch a spectacular sunset, climb the steps leading up to Bakheng hill. The colours are very rich and deep. It feels like a big social event as there will be plenty of other tourists waiting for...
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Angkor Thom Angkor Wat
146 Reviews The four tiers of aspara here are incredible. They are more than 700 years old but many are extremely well preserved, likely to be a result of them having been covered over by the front...
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Ta Phrom Angkor Wat
79 Reviews Ta Phrom was formerly called the royal monastery, dedicated to the former King's mother. THis temple was left to age in its natural state. Large trees have overgrown these structures and gives the...
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Lake Tonle Sap Angkor Wat
26 Reviews somewhat of a surprise as i heard it was very tourisity,but the lake and flooded forrest is awesome and a highlight of our trip.we went with the recommended way in the lonely planets guide with the...
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Banteay Srei Angkor Wat
60 Reviews Almost near the foot of Kulen Mountains, Bantaey Srei stands with its mix pink sandtone and wood temples with exquisite decorative carvings which have miniature resemblance of other Angkor Temples....
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Prah Khan Angkor Wat
22 Reviews This place appears to be a former Budhist university with its long narrow hallways and several small enclosures. However, history points to some evidence that this temple was constructed on the site...
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Neak Pean Angkor Wat
16 Reviews Unlike most temples Neak Pean is a temple which consists of ponds in a crucifix formation. It is said to have miraculous healing from the four representations of the mouths of a lion, elephant, horse...
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Banteay Srei translates as City of Women which implies it was built by or for women. Not sure if this is true or not but it is smaller in stature than most Khmer temples but the intricate carvings are what people come to see.Its walls are made of leterite (which is the red dimpled volcanic rock) and the carvings and scultures are pink sandstone.Its around 25-30km out of Siem Reap but is well worth the trip. Standard Angkor temple pass will get you entry to Banteay Srei.
Yes, another temple in the Rolous Group just across the road from Bakong. It features a couple of Bull statues as pictured here. Its a mix of brickwork, plasterwork and sandstone and has some very intricate carvings also pictured. The brickwork's mortar is not at all visible and apparently was made up of powder from crushed shells and tree saps. It was undergoing much restoration at the time of my visit in 2007 so it is no doubt in better shape now.
Bakong is one of the so called Rolous group named for their proximity to the village of the same name. This is a really cool temple. Its looks kind of like a stepped pyramid with a Khmer town on the top. I really like the elephant statues which you see pictured.
Just a short drive on from the south gate within Angkor Thom you come across the amazing monument Bayon. My impression was that it is almost a broken pyramid structure at a distance and it looks much less impressive than Angkor Wat but its artistry is eveident as you come closer and you see the carved faces smiling back at you! As you enter the structure and view the carvings and climb the 3 levels of the temple it gets even better. I was fortunate to have a great guide who explained the stories in the Bas Reliefs and the carving which are too many to cover in a tip. This is one of my favourite spots.There are "pools" outside of the main structure so you can get a classic reflection photo when they have water. Sadly the pools were dry on my first visit and the second time my camera packed up.
The south gate of Angkor Thom has interesting sculpure and structure. The is the main road entrance from Angkor Wat to the acient walled city of the Khmer empire. You need to pass through the gate on the way from Angkor Wat to Bayon etc. The causeway, which is the roadway, to the south gate has many statues of gods and demons on either side holding a serpent/naga. The gate itself spans the road and has the typical four faces carved into the top and scultures such as the three headed elephant in my photo. Standign on the road under the gate, you can get an appreciation for the Khmer masonry skills.I suggest you visit in the morning as its generally a bit quieter and the light is good for photography.
One must see an Apsara dancing show when in Cambodia and there are several to choose from in Siem Reap. The dance is influenced by the dancing style of Southern India but is firmly a Khmer dance which has been also adopted by the Thai's. We watched the show at Angkor Mondial Hotel which also included a buffet meal for around $12 per person. I believe the show started at around 8pm, but you would need to double check times as they may vary according to the season.The show is very elegant with beautifully made up and elegantly clothed dancers and depicts short dances such as the "Dance of the Coconut Shells", etc.We also caught the shows at Temple Bar and the Dead Fish Tower in the centre of Siem Reap. These were free shows and quite good, although the Angkor Mondial one was the best in my opinion, followed by the Temple Bar.
The Cambodian Landmine Museum is located 6km south of Banteay Srei temple in the Angkor Complex. It was founded by Aki Ra, a Cambodian who planted land mines as a child as part of Pol Pot's army. He has subsequently found and disarmed thousands of mines in a bid to make his country safer for its people and so the museum was set up. You can see many examples of land mines and learn of Aki Ra's story through photos and text. All mines and grenades, etc., are guaranteed 100% FFE (free from explosives). The $1 donation admission "supports sustainable land mine relief and community development initiatives"Open daily from 7.30am-5.30pm.
For $15 per person, you can take off in the tethered balloon to see the Angkor temples site if the weather conditions are right. There is a maximum number of people allowed to go up at one time so you have lots of room to move around and take photos. The ride lasts around 10-15 minutes.
Of course, the real highlight and purpose of any trip to Siem Reap is to see the Angkor temples!!We had a 3 day pass which was obtained by our tour leader at a cost of $40 which may seem expensive, but is a "must-see"! This amazing ruined city was built between the 9th and 13th centuries by the Khmer Kings and had an estimated population of 750,000 at its peak. It is spread out over 155 square kilometres of the Cambodian jungle and will amaze you with its stone temples, elegant sculptures, bas reliefs and great views!We saw many temples in our 3 days; Banteay Srei, East Mebon, Pre Rup (good for sunset), Angkor Thom (built by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th century), The Bayon, Preah Khan, Kravan, East Mebon, Srah Srang, Takeo and Ta Phrom (the jungle temple made famous in the Tombraider film) and my favourite! Last but not least is Angkor Wat, the most famous of the temples...
Our group took a boat tour on the Tonle Sap Lake to see the floating village of Chong Kneas. Really liked this tour as you get a chance to see how the locals live and work from their houseboats. There are floating schools and shops and you get a chance to take some nice photographs. we also had a quick walk in the village bordering the lake to see how the fishermen and their families live in their makeshift and stilted houses.
La Residence d'Angkor Siem Reap
1 Review and 310 Opinions The hotel is simply splendid. The spa is the ideal manner for relaxing after a long sightseeing of...
The Kool Hotel Siem Reap
1 Review and 499 Opinions Rooms are a quite big size, clean and comfortable. We Stayed at this place for 4 nights. staff are...
Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa Siem Reap
1 Review and 364 Opinions The Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa was our haven during our stay in Cambodia, and it was wonderful!...
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Q: Hello, I'm scheduled to arrive in Siem Reap on November 13 (and leave on November 16, originally to go to BKK, but will have to...
A: My brother who lives in Siem Reap wrote a couple of days ago to say that the flooding has eased in Siem Reap. He runs the Mandalay Inn and had very few guests but he kept...
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