Siem Reap is located between rice paddies and flanking the Sim Reap River, the small provincial capital of Siem Reap serves as the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Wat. The Angkor Archaeological Park exists dozens of temple ruins and others just about kilometres apart. The must-see temple ruins are Angkor Wat and Bayon, offering the most spectacular and unique examples of Angkorian art and architecture. From the Anakor complex to Bayon, Bakeng "temple-mountains.- Baphoun and Phimeanakas are the briefest visit include central Angkor Thom with its artistically interesting terraces. With your long stay in Siem Reap. your itinerary will satisfy yourself by tripping to other major ruins—temple-mountains such as Pre Rup, Ta Keo, Kakong and West Melbon. sprawling monastic complexes such as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan and Banteay Kdei, and unique monuments such as Neak Pean and Srah Srang. The Rluos Group, which is comprised the monuments of an early Khmer capital lies about 13 km west of Seim Reap. Banteay Srey is the artistically exquisite but more even distant temple.
History of Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm Shrine
Angkor National MUSEUM
Visiting the Angkor Natio-nal Museum was eerie and surreal experience. For the first 45 minutes of our trip through the mammoth, 20,000-square-metre building, we didn't spot another visitor. The muse-um opened in November 2007, and its freshly paint-ed, shopping mall-like feel contrasts with the thousands-year-old art-facts contained within it. A visit is a comfortable, air-con alternative to visiting the temples themselves, and a nice educational supplement to the history of Angkor if you visit the park without a tour guide. It's composed of eight separate galleries, all connected by a vaulted corridor with a series of fountains and lined with what seems like all the Angko-rian limestone lion and demon heads missing from statues at the temples. After an explanatory film screening called Story behind the Legend, you're pointed toward the galleries:
1,000 Buddha Images
This is the only gallery that's just one large room, rather than a series of maze-like alcoves, and the sight of all these Buddhas at once is striking. Hundreds of small and miniature Buddha figurines, made of metals. jewels and wood, all individually illuminated, line the walls here, identified according to the period they were made.
Angkor Temple Complex
The temples of Angkor were built between the 9th and 14th centuries, when Khmer civilization was at the height of its extraordinary creativity. Unparalleled in South-East Asia-though the temples of began in Myanmar (Burma) are a close runner-up-Angkor rates among the foremost architectural wonders of the world. From Angkor, the kings of the mighty Khmer empire ruled over a vest territory that extended from the tip of what is now southern Vietnam north to Yunnan in China and from Vietnam west to the Bay of Bengal. Angkor’s 100 or so temples constitute the sacred skeleton of a spectacular administrative and religious centre. Its houses, public building and palaces were constructed of wood now long decayed-because the right to well in structures of brick or stone was reserved for the gods. It is easy to spend a week or more at Angkor, seeing the temples at a leisurely pace, perhaps main attractions several times to see them in different returning to the light conditions. Many travelers feel that about four or five days is the optimum length of time to spend before saturation starts to set in. Even with only two days at your disposal, however, you can get a lot of sightseeing done providing you get an early start in the mornings. If your time is limited and you only have one day tour the Angkor complex, it would probably be best to organize a tour to get the most out of the day.
ANGKOR WAT
Constructed : Early or Mid 12th century,
Location : On the small circuit.
Comment : There are few places anywhere on earth to match the splendor of Angkor Wat that is one of the largest monuments to religion ever built and is truly one the wonders of the world. Believed to have been constructed as a temple and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is probably the best-preserved of the Angkorean temples. As with other Angkorean temples and walled cities such as Angkor Thom, the central theme of Khmer architecture revolved around the idea of the temple-mountain. By the time building on Angkor Wat was begun early in the 12th century, this had been elaborated to a central tower surrounded by four smaller towers. The central monument represents the mythical Mount Mew, the holy mountain at the centre of the universe, which was home to the Hindu god Vishnu. The five towers symbolise Mount Meru's five peaks.
It is difficult to express in words the enonnousscale of Angkor Wat. but it can be explained in part by a look at the dimensions ofthe complex. The temple is surrounded by a moat which makes the one around the Tower of London, built at roughly the same time, look like nothing more than a garden trench. At 190 metres wide and forming a rectangle measuring 1.5 km by 1.3 km. it is hard to imagine any attacking force overwhelming the defences. But the moat was more than just a defensive bulwark, in line with the temple's Hindu origins it represented the oceans of the world. A rectangular wall measuring 1025 metres by 800 metres borders the inner edge of the moat.
There is a gate in each side of the wall, but unusually for the mainly Hindu-influenced Angkorian temples, the main entrance faces west. This entrance is a richly decorated portico, 235m wide with three gates. However. the temple's greatest sculptural treasure is its 2 km-long bas-reliefs around the walls of the outer gallery and the hundred figures of devatas and apsaras. This intricately carved gallery tells stories of the god Vishnu and of Suryavan-nan II's successes on the battlefield. The whole complex covers 81 hectares.
Constructed : Late I 2th/Early
Location : Just to 1.7 km in the North of Angkor Wat. a gigantic unit that one cannot miss, would not be this that because of the gate of entry and the bridge which precedes it. In the order. Angkor Wat. Ta Phrom Kel, Phnom Bakheng. Baksei Chamkrong. Prasat Bei and South Gate of Angkor Thom.
Comment : Angkor Thom (large Angkor ) is a royal city of 10 Km2 surrounded by walls and ditches. There still. a book would not be enough to describe all the richness of this unit. The tourists in a hurry will cross the site in less than one hour. but those which are interested a little in this style of construction can largely envisage a half day on the spot! When Jayavarman VII started the con-struction of Large Angkor, Baphuon and Phimeanakas existed already but had been devastated by Chams. Five majestic doors, whose stones sometimes mix with the roots of splendid trees, crowned giant heads, decorate the four cardinal points of the city and the access road to the Royal Palace. The construction of Large Angkor was the celebration of a victory (from where probably the door of this name) for Jayayarman VII after it drove out the ('ham enemy at the end of the 12th century. Angkor Thom is an enormous temple which is protected in the rampart and the ring moat. As for the rampart around to be made accurately with the laterite, height approximately 8 meters. As for ring moat around 100 meters in width, as for depth 5 or 6 meters. Angkor Thom the north east which keeps reducing altitude-is located with respect to pivot southwest. Because of that, north east angle to be high southwest angle is low. The vertical separation presently approximately 10 meters. It took in the water of the ring moat from north east angle making use of this vertical separation, inside the castle flowed and accumulated in Angkor Thom is southwest angle, from here was discharged in the ring moat.
There is the Bayon temple on the Angkor Thom center. You say that here were five ports, there was a door of the wood product in those and was closed in the night. There is a court of the woodwork inside where the king lived. In addition, there was many temples and a reservoir. By the way, Angkor Thom (Big capital) is with being afterwards. It is the name which is accustomed.
PHNOM BAKHENG
Location : With a little more than one kilometer in the north of the principal entry of Angkor Wat and five Hundred meters before the southern door of Angkor Thom, on the left of the road.
Comment: On the left of the road, one perforated in the forest, opposite some small merchants.
The ruins of a monumental staircase which climbs the slope of a 60m height natural hill, it is the temple mountain of Phnom Bakheng. Every evening, many crowds go to admire the sunset. some choose to ride elephant until in top of the hill, others climb the staircases courageously. Arrived in top, the sight is with the height efforts made for the rise. With far, one can see the silhouettes of Phnom Srom in the South and Phnom Khulen in North. One sees there are also Baray, the forest of Angkor Thom and one overhangs Angkor Wat. The construction of Phnom Bakheng (Bakheng Hill) is an important event in sofar as it marks the displacement of the Khmer capital of Roluos towards Angkor. Moreover, Phnom Bakheng is largely inspired by Bakhong in its architecture but suing materials and more elaborate methods of construction. It should be noted that this temple mountain is built derectly on the rock whereas the other temples mountain are built on embankments.
Location : With less than 200 meters of Phnom Bakheng, on the left, right before arriving at the Southern gate of Angkor Thom.
Description : Baksei Chamkrong is a 12-meter tall brick and laterite pyramid. Combine with a visit to the South Gate and Phnom Bakheng. lighting is best in the morning. Harshavarman I began construction or perhaps dedicated statues at the site. Teh temple was later improved/ restored by Rajendravarman II shortly after the capital was returned to Angkor from Koh Ker.
According to inscription on the doorway Rajendravarman consecrated the temple with the installation of golden Shiva image in 947AD. It may have also served as funerary temple.
PRASAT BAYON
Detail : Only the gallery circumference 1.200m total height 43m 54 towers.
Angkor Temple Complex
The temples of Angkor were built between the 9th and 14th centuries, when Khmer civilization was at the height of its extraordinary creativity. Unparalleled in South-East Asia-though the temples of began in Myanmar (Burma) are a close runner-up-Angkor rates among the foremost architectural wonders of the world. From Angkor, the kings of the mighty Khmer empire ruled over a vest territory that extended from the tip of what is now southern Vietnam north to Yunnan in China and from Vietnam west to the Bay of Bengal. Angkor’s 100 or so temples constitute the sacred skeleton of a spectacular administrative and religious centre. Its houses, public building and palaces were constructed of wood now long decayed-because the right to well in structures of brick or stone was reserved for the gods. It is easy to spend a week or more at Angkor, seeing the temples at a leisurely pace, perhaps main attractions several times to see them in different returning to the light conditions. Many travelers feel that about four or five days is the optimum length of time to spend before saturation starts to set in. Even with only two days at your disposal, however, you can get a lot of sightseeing done providing you get an early start in the mornings. If your time is limited and you only have one day tour the Angkor complex, it would probably be best to organize a tour to get the most out of the day.
ANGKOR WAT
Constructed : Early or Mid 12th century,
between 1113- I I 50
Religion : Hindu
King : Suryavarman II (1113 - 1150)
Location : On the small circuit.
Comment : There are few places anywhere on earth to match the splendor of Angkor Wat that is one of the largest monuments to religion ever built and is truly one the wonders of the world. Believed to have been constructed as a temple and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is probably the best-preserved of the Angkorean temples. As with other Angkorean temples and walled cities such as Angkor Thom, the central theme of Khmer architecture revolved around the idea of the temple-mountain. By the time building on Angkor Wat was begun early in the 12th century, this had been elaborated to a central tower surrounded by four smaller towers. The central monument represents the mythical Mount Mew, the holy mountain at the centre of the universe, which was home to the Hindu god Vishnu. The five towers symbolise Mount Meru's five peaks.
It is difficult to express in words the enonnousscale of Angkor Wat. but it can be explained in part by a look at the dimensions ofthe complex. The temple is surrounded by a moat which makes the one around the Tower of London, built at roughly the same time, look like nothing more than a garden trench. At 190 metres wide and forming a rectangle measuring 1.5 km by 1.3 km. it is hard to imagine any attacking force overwhelming the defences. But the moat was more than just a defensive bulwark, in line with the temple's Hindu origins it represented the oceans of the world. A rectangular wall measuring 1025 metres by 800 metres borders the inner edge of the moat.
There is a gate in each side of the wall, but unusually for the mainly Hindu-influenced Angkorian temples, the main entrance faces west. This entrance is a richly decorated portico, 235m wide with three gates. However. the temple's greatest sculptural treasure is its 2 km-long bas-reliefs around the walls of the outer gallery and the hundred figures of devatas and apsaras. This intricately carved gallery tells stories of the god Vishnu and of Suryavan-nan II's successes on the battlefield. The whole complex covers 81 hectares.
ANGKOR THOM
Constructed : Late I 2th/Early
13th century
Religion : Buddhism
King : Jayavarman VII (1181 - 1218)
Location : Just to 1.7 km in the North of Angkor Wat. a gigantic unit that one cannot miss, would not be this that because of the gate of entry and the bridge which precedes it. In the order. Angkor Wat. Ta Phrom Kel, Phnom Bakheng. Baksei Chamkrong. Prasat Bei and South Gate of Angkor Thom.
Comment : Angkor Thom (large Angkor ) is a royal city of 10 Km2 surrounded by walls and ditches. There still. a book would not be enough to describe all the richness of this unit. The tourists in a hurry will cross the site in less than one hour. but those which are interested a little in this style of construction can largely envisage a half day on the spot! When Jayavarman VII started the con-struction of Large Angkor, Baphuon and Phimeanakas existed already but had been devastated by Chams. Five majestic doors, whose stones sometimes mix with the roots of splendid trees, crowned giant heads, decorate the four cardinal points of the city and the access road to the Royal Palace. The construction of Large Angkor was the celebration of a victory (from where probably the door of this name) for Jayayarman VII after it drove out the ('ham enemy at the end of the 12th century. Angkor Thom is an enormous temple which is protected in the rampart and the ring moat. As for the rampart around to be made accurately with the laterite, height approximately 8 meters. As for ring moat around 100 meters in width, as for depth 5 or 6 meters. Angkor Thom the north east which keeps reducing altitude-is located with respect to pivot southwest. Because of that, north east angle to be high southwest angle is low. The vertical separation presently approximately 10 meters. It took in the water of the ring moat from north east angle making use of this vertical separation, inside the castle flowed and accumulated in Angkor Thom is southwest angle, from here was discharged in the ring moat.
There is the Bayon temple on the Angkor Thom center. You say that here were five ports, there was a door of the wood product in those and was closed in the night. There is a court of the woodwork inside where the king lived. In addition, there was many temples and a reservoir. By the way, Angkor Thom (Big capital) is with being afterwards. It is the name which is accustomed.
PHNOM BAKHENG
Constructed : Late 9th/Early 10th
century- 889-900
Religion : Hindu
King : Yasovarman I
(889-910)
Location : With a little more than one kilometer in the north of the principal entry of Angkor Wat and five Hundred meters before the southern door of Angkor Thom, on the left of the road.
Comment: On the left of the road, one perforated in the forest, opposite some small merchants.
The ruins of a monumental staircase which climbs the slope of a 60m height natural hill, it is the temple mountain of Phnom Bakheng. Every evening, many crowds go to admire the sunset. some choose to ride elephant until in top of the hill, others climb the staircases courageously. Arrived in top, the sight is with the height efforts made for the rise. With far, one can see the silhouettes of Phnom Srom in the South and Phnom Khulen in North. One sees there are also Baray, the forest of Angkor Thom and one overhangs Angkor Wat. The construction of Phnom Bakheng (Bakheng Hill) is an important event in sofar as it marks the displacement of the Khmer capital of Roluos towards Angkor. Moreover, Phnom Bakheng is largely inspired by Bakhong in its architecture but suing materials and more elaborate methods of construction. It should be noted that this temple mountain is built derectly on the rock whereas the other temples mountain are built on embankments.
PRASAT BAKSEI CHAM KRONG
Constructed : Early/Mid 10th
century- 910-947
Religion : Hindu
King : Harshavarman I
(910-923)
Location : With less than 200 meters of Phnom Bakheng, on the left, right before arriving at the Southern gate of Angkor Thom.
Description : Baksei Chamkrong is a 12-meter tall brick and laterite pyramid. Combine with a visit to the South Gate and Phnom Bakheng. lighting is best in the morning. Harshavarman I began construction or perhaps dedicated statues at the site. Teh temple was later improved/ restored by Rajendravarman II shortly after the capital was returned to Angkor from Koh Ker.
According to inscription on the doorway Rajendravarman consecrated the temple with the installation of golden Shiva image in 947AD. It may have also served as funerary temple.
PRASAT BAYON
Constructed : Late 12th century
Religion : Buddhism
King : Jayavarman VII
(1181 —1218)
Religion : Buddhism
King : Jayavarman VII
(1181 —1218)
Detail : Only the gallery circumference 1.200m total height 43m 54 towers.
Location : Center of Angkor Thom. 1500m in the north of the Southern Gate.
Comment: In the heart ofAnekor Thomlies the beautiful Bayon temple. Bayon was built about a century after Angkor Wat. Bayon is unlike most of the other temples; no walls surround the terrain, and the style is Buddhist. The more than 200 large faces carved on the 54 towers are believed to depict the god Loki, or Avalokitesvara. or the Buddha King. or a mixture of the portrait of the Buddha and the King Jayavarman VII, but opinions differ. For Many architectural and symbolic details a fitting explanation still has to be found. There are also some significant changes in style which leads archeologists to believe that the Bayon was built over a long period of time. The third level with the towers was changed later; the central part may have resembled the Indian temple mount Menu in an earlier stage. similar to temples like Angkor Wat. Visit the Bayon in the early morning. The sight of the rising sun slowly revealing the many faces with their smiles is a sight not to be missed. Come back during the afternoon to have a look at the galleries with their many bas-reliefs depicting scenes of everyday life as well as great battles and military processions. Some of the reliefs were re-carved when the temple later became Hindu. View the reliefs from left to right, as opposed to Angkor Wat. Before becoming the temple of state of Jayavarman VII, Bayon had been devastated by Chams, which partly explains this architectural confusion which makes of it also its charm! Base-reliefs of the lower levels, and the sight on the stone heads of the higher level are among most interesting and more impressive things to be seen in Angkor! The reconditioning of the unit of the temple was a colossal work, the more so as certain stones were completely hidden in a very dense vegetation which asked for large work of releases until the anastylose of the towers and the central solid mass in the Forties.
BAPHOUN
Constructed : Mid 11th century
????-1060
Religion : Hindu
King : Udayadityavarman 11
(1050— 1066)
Location : Angkor Thom, by leaving Bayon, on the left before arriving at the terrace of the elephants.
Description: Baphuon temple built by Udayadityar-varman II was the most poorly constructed of all the temples in Angkor. From the remaining ruins, it is possible to see how imposing it was. This temple hill was dedicated to Shiva, but in its reliefs many motives from the Vishnu epic can be seen. Restoration work continues to be carried out on the Baphuon. Baphuon is a little frustrating to pass in front of such a monument and not to be able to visit it. One of the center pieces of Angkor Thom. Baphuon is currently closed with the public for restoration and surely still for a long time. You can just make the turn of it. It is about an enormous work: a puzzle of more than 300.000 stones scattered on several hectares and of which some weigh several tons! Each stone is numbered and recorded in files burned during the war! The work which was stopped in 1970 consists today with all to reconstitute and the result should be equal to the challenge to be judged some by what is already visible. It will thus be necessary to wait a certain time to have to be able to admire gigantic Buddha lying which is inside. This temple-mountain of which the sight in its top is. appears it, exceptional, was to be the central temple of second Angkor, intermediate stage between Phnom Bakheng and Rayon. What is presented today as an immense building site should become a major temple to visit after the end of work.
Temple Detail : The big temple where the court is located immediately on south side. Presently, France under-taking restoration, the large-sized crane is moving. As for being possible to visit, entering from Toumon, to the point of the aerial going/participating road ending. The inner part from that, it has become off limit because of that, walking outer circle generally, the back(west side) it turns, it means to return looking at the sleeping form of the explanation releasing.
PHIMEANAKAS
Location : Angkor Thom, in the centre of the royal city, behind the Terrace of the elephants.
Comment : The small stairway pyramid type temple which is inside the court of Angkor Thom. It is the small temple because the king did the ceremony, it is located on the center of the court. The fact that Phimeanakas is not aligned perfectly compared to Victory Gate lets suppose that it would have been initially built at the time of Phnom Bakheng with which it is aligned, then rebuilt then. Unfortunately, this Royal temple presents only very few sculptures having survived and is not very interesting from this point of view. On the other hand, of the top, the sight on Angkor Thom is particularly interesting. But to reach it, you will have to use with many precautions the western staircase, on our photo-graphs, only staircase practicable but nevertheless very abrupt, which makes the descent rather perilous. This temple is associated with a curious legend according to which it was inhabited by the spirit of a giant snake with nine heads which appeared every evening under the features of beautiful young woman with which the King was to couple himself under sorrow that a serious misfortune does not occur with its people or himself The scandalmongers claim that the King would have imagined this legend to give himself more freedom.
Location : On the small circuit, between Victory Gate and Ta Keo, opposite Chau Say Tevoda.
Location : On the large circuit, just beside Banteay Kdei. East of Angkor Thom.
Location : At the place where meet the small and the large circuit, opposite Srah Srang.
Comments : Banteay Kdei is a perfect example of all that one regret in Angkor: a temple which was to be splendid but which suffers from the large basic manufacturing defects. The Khmers, by building certain temples are advantages troubled about decoration and details that structure it, sometimes making large errors of design. Use of bad materials, bases badly consolidated, weak points in constructions in particular by aligning certain stone etc. Moreover, Banteay Kdei, as some other temples of Angkor was built in several times and the style of Angkor Wat keep close to that of Bayon in a very debatable manner. Lastly, work of restoration leaves a splendid entry to the East but was abandoned on most of the temple which threatens to collapse with many places where it is not already done. It's systems of galleries and vestibules that were added after the construction of the main towers makes it look like a cloister. It was built in sandstone, which has deteriorated quite badly. however, there remain some very beautiful lintels and pediments.
Temple Detail : The tower gate of the Bayon style where the human surface is attached to four side is small unexpectedly. La and right of the tower gate are connected to the peripheral wall of the laterite. Passing by the tower gate, when it keeps walking through the quiet forest for a while, the next tower gate is visible. It has become the wide terrace where this with the east tower gate of the third lap wall, foreward of that is a rail of temple. The statue of Buddha is enshrined in the front of the tower Moai section. When it passes the east tower gate, the passage which has the rail of temple on both sides is followed to the building which is called "hole of gopura". As for "hole of gopura" the roof kills, just the pillar has lined up, but the name probably is attached from the place where the relief is cut in the pillar. The tip of "hole of gopura" is the east tower gate of the second lap wall. The second lap wall (has become in the corridor) inside to be a corridor which hits against the lap wall, on the center there is a central hall. Passing by the central hall, when it keeps advancing to the west, passing the west tower gate of the second lap wall, it reaches to the west tower gate of the third lap wall which has the cruciform terrace. When from here furthermore it keeps walking on west, the peripheral wall east tower gate is visible. Bantey Kdei has become the constitution where the various buildings line up into the straight line in east western direction. It should have kept walking from the east tower gate of the peripheral wall to the west tower gate, facing intently toward west, (or the reverse course is traced). Inside of the peripheral wall atmosphere is good with the quiet forest. Inside the ruins the places where collapse was exposed dangerously are not few.
SRAH SRANG
Location : At the place where meet the small one and the large circuit, opposite Banteay Kdei.
Comment : With the origin, it is a baray of modest size which was transformed and arranged under Jayavarman VII to make of it a gigantic personal swimming pool of the Queen! The landing stage, kindly decorated is located just opposite Banteay Kdei, a swimming pool of 700 by 200 meters in the medium of which a vague small island on which remains what was supposed to be a small temple. Srah Srang is also one ofthe most beautiful places to admire the sunrise, a variation of large crowd of Angkor Wat.
Comment : Spean Thma, the bridge of stone. It would have been rebuilt several times and is hardly of interest the more so as it is possible to see many bridges in better states on the road from Siem reap in Phnom Penh. It will be noticed nevertheless that the bridge is currently to a hundred meters from the river what shows at which point the water court moved with time.
PRASAT TAKEO
Location : Small circuit. between Ta Phrom and Angkor Thom, on the edge of the road.
Comment : The situation of "Li Keo, just at the edge of the road makes it possible to immediately give it sell. an overall idea of this temple mountain. It appears in these very geometrical lines, and completion misses it is obvious. This temple is thus an unfinished work, only the main w ork lia‘.ing been carried out. So to circumvent it by outside is very pleasant, but to make the rise of it can he disappointing. The stoppage of the works at the stage of decoration can corresponds with the death of its creative King, tayavarman V. his nephew and successor Udaya-dityavarman II or the super Suryavarman I which monopolized the throne from 1002 not wanting perhaps to see glory radiating on another but only themselves. Though it is, this temple is beautiful, well proportioned, but lack undoubtedly of the charm which characterizes the majority of the other temples of Angkor.
Temple Detail : Depending the dying of the king, construction was discontinued and was left. Because of that, it has remained the structural material of the sandstone accumulating exposed. The temple is the valuable ruins which can be made and known high. The rock work was being elaborate, the opening is prompt. The temple of mountain type (Temple Mountain) is, of the central hall freeboard there are 20 meters or more. As for the temple, presently the duplication which is inside the ring moat which does not have the water lap being surrounded in the wall. in both lap wall is a tower gate in four directions of mill east. Lap as or wall outside east west approximately 120 meters and north and south 100 meters. The base does the laterite and top with the sandstone. Lap as for wall inside east-west approximately 80 meters and north and south 75 meters. The corridor of the sandstone which on the base of the high laterite was opened inside is riding. It is narrow, closes the corridor which is in early stage of development outside, the window opens only inside. There is a central stylobate which increases in three layer lap inside the wall, the central hall and four secondary halls stand on that. Those where a state where construction has been discontinued has been shown well are these five halls. The impression of Ta Keo in a triannerofspeaking is Modern architecture oftheconcrete placing release. In the view which the structural material of the sandstone stacks skilfully and can be brought together, beauty of modelling which leads to today is felt.
PHIMEANAKAS
Constructed : Late 10th/Early
11th century
Religion : Hindu
King : Jayavarman V
(968 — 1001 )
Location : Angkor Thom, in the centre of the royal city, behind the Terrace of the elephants.
Comment : The small stairway pyramid type temple which is inside the court of Angkor Thom. It is the small temple because the king did the ceremony, it is located on the center of the court. The fact that Phimeanakas is not aligned perfectly compared to Victory Gate lets suppose that it would have been initially built at the time of Phnom Bakheng with which it is aligned, then rebuilt then. Unfortunately, this Royal temple presents only very few sculptures having survived and is not very interesting from this point of view. On the other hand, of the top, the sight on Angkor Thom is particularly interesting. But to reach it, you will have to use with many precautions the western staircase, on our photo-graphs, only staircase practicable but nevertheless very abrupt, which makes the descent rather perilous. This temple is associated with a curious legend according to which it was inhabited by the spirit of a giant snake with nine heads which appeared every evening under the features of beautiful young woman with which the King was to couple himself under sorrow that a serious misfortune does not occur with its people or himself The scandalmongers claim that the King would have imagined this legend to give himself more freedom.
Preah Pithu Group
Constructed : Early 12th century
Religion : Hindu
King : Suryavarman II
(1113-1150)
Location : A group of 5 sanctuaries in the Angkor Thom group.
Comment : The compound ruins where the open space before the court is located septentrional. It consists of the plural buildings, but is not to be made under one plan, it seems. You call septentrional of the open space before the court, there is a position where it is easy to visit in plain existence, it seems that is not either the person whom it visits excessively in spite. Temple T and U state are not good, but as for temple X restoration has ended. The relief of the stylobate section of temple V state is beautiful well. It is the good place known to few people ruins which can enjoy to the whole quiet atmosphere. Septentrional of the ruins there is a pond and a Buddhism temple where the flower of the lotus blooms.
Prasat Sour Prat
"Prasat Neang 12"
Constructed : Early 13 th century
Religion : Mahayana Buddhism
King : Jayavarrnan VII
(1181— 1218)
(1181— 1218)
Location : Angkor Thorn, opposite the Terrace of the elephants.
Comments : These twelve towers are hardly of interest, but remain an enigma as for their use. Prasat Suor Prat, the temple of the tightrope walker can let suppose a relation with the spectacles of the Terrace of the elephants opposite which these turns are symmetrically laid out. It is also supposed that they could be used as particular cabins but the report of Zhou Ta Guan describes them as kinds of prisons from where emanated the divine judgements. Nothing is less sure. Their location in the east of the Royal plain and each side of the alley which lead to Victory Gate make beautiful decorative towers.
THOMMANON
Constructed : Late 1lth/Early
12th century
Religion : Hindu
King : Suryavarman
(1113— 1150 )
Location : On the small circuit, between Victory Gate and Ta Keo, opposite Chau Say Tevoda.
Comment : Its location and good state of conservation make a small this temple pleasant to visit. In the purest Angkorian style, this temple is worth a visit the most so as it will make it possible to then go to see Chau Say Tevoda, which resembles to him but which is currently in restoration, just on other side of the road. Temple Detail : There is a lovely terrace in the ruins which exists. The largest terrace which is seen at the other ruins probably is the cruel limn terrace of Angkor Wat, but as for size being different, having been similar as for impression as a terrace it is funny. Several degrees the stairway rising from here and doing to descend the east tower gate, the front shrine passing it keeps advancing to the hall.
As for the scripture house it is not north and south symmetrical and there is on just south side. Further more forward from the road facing to the building, we want paying attention to also the little basin. Here is the mark at one time of the ring moat.
PRASAT TA PROHM
Constructed : Late 12th/Early
13th century - 1186
Religion : Buddhism
King : Jayavamian VII
( 1181-1218)
Location : On the large circuit, just beside Banteay Kdei. East of Angkor Thom.
Comment : This temple is certainly one of the most impressive, it' not most impressive of all the temples of the site of Angkor . It was to be in its time a gigantic monastic city and when you enter by the east gate, while moving through this splendid forest towards the temple itself, it is necessary to imagine that you cross an active city of many people where houses, made light materials entirely disappeared with time. Inscriptions indicate that 80.000 people worked at the service of this monastery and inter alias the monks used 5 tons of gold plate! Ta Phrom forms part of the last generation of Angkorian temples, on only one level, surrounded by many galleries. You will be immediately impressed by the number, the size and the quality of the still intact galleries. The others are only fallen and heap of stones. The French School of Extreme Orient, which is at the base of many work of restoration of Angkor, would have voluntarily left this temple in this state of decay, where nature continues its work destroying in order to give to the visitor th is very special impression to discover a wild place. The EFEO is as justified by saying as there exists on the site of Angkor many other examples of this kind of architecture, like Banteay Srey or the very close Banteay Kdei, but also releases itself from an enormous task, it is enough for persuaded to look at the numbers of stones scattered on the ground. In addition, the roots which surround the walls and invade certain galleries are a true treat for the eyes and the photographers! Set up five years after the arrival on the throne of Jayavarman VII, Ta Phrom is dedicated to his mother, and is formed part of the temples dedicated to the divinized parents. It will build later Preah Khan in the honor of his father. To be visited absolutely.
The Buddhism temple ruins like one city that inside the immense site which east west 1000 meter north and south 600 meters. There is a mark of the ring moat which surrounds the third lap wall on left and right. The next second lap wall does with the laterite. Inside having become the corridor, the roof of the sandstone is riding. As for the banyan tree with the very much high trees and shrubs, there is no branch excluding the part of the canopy. The key also voice of the bird which calls sharply has emphasized strange atmosphere.
The Buddhism temple ruins like one city that inside the immense site which east west 1000 meter north and south 600 meters. There is a mark of the ring moat which surrounds the third lap wall on left and right. The next second lap wall does with the laterite. Inside having become the corridor, the roof of the sandstone is riding. As for the banyan tree with the very much high trees and shrubs, there is no branch excluding the part of the canopy. The key also voice of the bird which calls sharply has emphasized strange atmosphere.
BANTEAY KDEI
Constructed : Late 12th/Early
13th century
Religion : Mahayana Buddhism
King : Jayavanrian VII
(1181- 1218)
Location : At the place where meet the small and the large circuit, opposite Srah Srang.
Comments : Banteay Kdei is a perfect example of all that one regret in Angkor: a temple which was to be splendid but which suffers from the large basic manufacturing defects. The Khmers, by building certain temples are advantages troubled about decoration and details that structure it, sometimes making large errors of design. Use of bad materials, bases badly consolidated, weak points in constructions in particular by aligning certain stone etc. Moreover, Banteay Kdei, as some other temples of Angkor was built in several times and the style of Angkor Wat keep close to that of Bayon in a very debatable manner. Lastly, work of restoration leaves a splendid entry to the East but was abandoned on most of the temple which threatens to collapse with many places where it is not already done. It's systems of galleries and vestibules that were added after the construction of the main towers makes it look like a cloister. It was built in sandstone, which has deteriorated quite badly. however, there remain some very beautiful lintels and pediments.
Temple Detail : The tower gate of the Bayon style where the human surface is attached to four side is small unexpectedly. La and right of the tower gate are connected to the peripheral wall of the laterite. Passing by the tower gate, when it keeps walking through the quiet forest for a while, the next tower gate is visible. It has become the wide terrace where this with the east tower gate of the third lap wall, foreward of that is a rail of temple. The statue of Buddha is enshrined in the front of the tower Moai section. When it passes the east tower gate, the passage which has the rail of temple on both sides is followed to the building which is called "hole of gopura". As for "hole of gopura" the roof kills, just the pillar has lined up, but the name probably is attached from the place where the relief is cut in the pillar. The tip of "hole of gopura" is the east tower gate of the second lap wall. The second lap wall (has become in the corridor) inside to be a corridor which hits against the lap wall, on the center there is a central hall. Passing by the central hall, when it keeps advancing to the west, passing the west tower gate of the second lap wall, it reaches to the west tower gate of the third lap wall which has the cruciform terrace. When from here furthermore it keeps walking on west, the peripheral wall east tower gate is visible. Bantey Kdei has become the constitution where the various buildings line up into the straight line in east western direction. It should have kept walking from the east tower gate of the peripheral wall to the west tower gate, facing intently toward west, (or the reverse course is traced). Inside of the peripheral wall atmosphere is good with the quiet forest. Inside the ruins the places where collapse was exposed dangerously are not few.
SRAH SRANG
Constructed : Mid 10th and
Late 12th century
Religion : Mahayana Buddhism
King : Rajendravarman II
& Jayavarman VII
Location : At the place where meet the small one and the large circuit, opposite Banteay Kdei.
Comment : With the origin, it is a baray of modest size which was transformed and arranged under Jayavarman VII to make of it a gigantic personal swimming pool of the Queen! The landing stage, kindly decorated is located just opposite Banteay Kdei, a swimming pool of 700 by 200 meters in the medium of which a vague small island on which remains what was supposed to be a small temple. Srah Srang is also one ofthe most beautiful places to admire the sunrise, a variation of large crowd of Angkor Wat.
SPEAN THMA
Constructed : 16th century
King : Unknown
Comment : Spean Thma, the bridge of stone. It would have been rebuilt several times and is hardly of interest the more so as it is possible to see many bridges in better states on the road from Siem reap in Phnom Penh. It will be noticed nevertheless that the bridge is currently to a hundred meters from the river what shows at which point the water court moved with time.
PRASAT TAKEO
Constructed : Late 10th/Early
11th century between 968-1001
Religion : Hindu
King : Jayavarman V
(968-1001)
Location : Small circuit. between Ta Phrom and Angkor Thom, on the edge of the road.
Comment : The situation of "Li Keo, just at the edge of the road makes it possible to immediately give it sell. an overall idea of this temple mountain. It appears in these very geometrical lines, and completion misses it is obvious. This temple is thus an unfinished work, only the main w ork lia‘.ing been carried out. So to circumvent it by outside is very pleasant, but to make the rise of it can he disappointing. The stoppage of the works at the stage of decoration can corresponds with the death of its creative King, tayavarman V. his nephew and successor Udaya-dityavarman II or the super Suryavarman I which monopolized the throne from 1002 not wanting perhaps to see glory radiating on another but only themselves. Though it is, this temple is beautiful, well proportioned, but lack undoubtedly of the charm which characterizes the majority of the other temples of Angkor.
Temple Detail : Depending the dying of the king, construction was discontinued and was left. Because of that, it has remained the structural material of the sandstone accumulating exposed. The temple is the valuable ruins which can be made and known high. The rock work was being elaborate, the opening is prompt. The temple of mountain type (Temple Mountain) is, of the central hall freeboard there are 20 meters or more. As for the temple, presently the duplication which is inside the ring moat which does not have the water lap being surrounded in the wall. in both lap wall is a tower gate in four directions of mill east. Lap as or wall outside east west approximately 120 meters and north and south 100 meters. The base does the laterite and top with the sandstone. Lap as for wall inside east-west approximately 80 meters and north and south 75 meters. The corridor of the sandstone which on the base of the high laterite was opened inside is riding. It is narrow, closes the corridor which is in early stage of development outside, the window opens only inside. There is a central stylobate which increases in three layer lap inside the wall, the central hall and four secondary halls stand on that. Those where a state where construction has been discontinued has been shown well are these five halls. The impression of Ta Keo in a triannerofspeaking is Modern architecture oftheconcrete placing release. In the view which the structural material of the sandstone stacks skilfully and can be brought together, beauty of modelling which leads to today is felt.
PRASAT KRAVAN
Constructed
Early 10th century-910-921
Religion: Hindu
King : Harshavarman I
(910 - 923)
Location : At the end of the circuits, little after Banteay Kdei. on the left at the edge of the road.
Comment : Five halls of the brick making line up into north and south direction, the small-scale ruins. You say that "Kravan" the cardamom is meant. It was restored by the French Far Eastern institute, but top of the tower is not reconstructed in accordance with the policy, of not reconstructing the unclear part. This temple is dedicated to the god Vishnu, this temple was built in 921 and restored there're about forty year. Completely built in bricks of clay, it is famous by its numerous representations of the god Vishnu. The northem towers are decorated with low-reliefs representing the goddess Lakshmi, the Vishnu's wife.
PREAH KHAN
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Constructed : Late 12th
century-1191
Religion : Buddhism
King : Jayavarman VII
(1181 - 1218 )
Location : On the large circuit, in the North of Angkor Thom, approximately two kilometers after the Northern Gate.
Comment : Beauty to be cried! Preah Khan, "the crowned sword", it is the most beautiful monument of whole Angkor! Built by Jayavanmin VII little after Ta Phrom, but in the honour of his father, this temple is of an incomparable beauty. Unfortunately, most parts of this monument arc reduced to heaps of stones which piled up during centuries and under the force of the vegetation and the had weather.
Preah Khan, city of the Victory would have been built on the same spot where Jayavarman VII gained the victory over Chams, provisional royal city when the Royal Palace of Angkor Thorn was downtown repair and especially monastic where unrolled many traditional and religious festivals. It was in [act a real city of 56 hectares. In spite of the vandalism and the plunder there're still some magnificent sculptures. The city sheltered10.000 persons, 1000 dancers and one San-scrit's school. Originally it was a convent Buddhist whose Buddha's representations were destroyed by Brahmanes (Indianpriests) and replaced by representations Hindus, (A single Buddha representation stayed). To a rive in the center of the temple, a row of galleries and doors which become lower and lower has measure that one approaches the centre (to show his respect). In the center, a stone, big Stuppa Bouddhiste which was brought in the XVth century. There're small holes in all the walls in the center of the building. Originally, in every hole was some gold and diamonds, one says that all this was taken and resold by the Khmers Rouge. Magnificent sculptures of the gods barattant the sea of milk, as well as Vishnu and Lakshmi (his wife), and the place of3 Lingas (sex o f the Gods), circle on the base the Shiva, square for Brahma and octagonal for Vishnu. One finds as in Ta Phrom, a luxuriant vegetation which resumed its rights.
Preah Neak Pean
Constructed : Late 12th century
Religion : Mahayana Buddhism
King : Jayavarman VII
( 1181 - 1218)
Location : In the north of the large circuit, between Preah Khan and Ta som.
Comment : Neak Pean is single in its kind. In the middle of a low-size baray today completely invisible, this small island temple is made of five swimming pools laid out in the shape of flower of lotus: A central swimming pool (70 metres) in the middle of which the temple is itself and four other swimming pools (20 metres) which form the petals of the flower. 4 over flows symbolize 4 rivers which took their source on the same lake meadows of the Kailash Mountain in the Tibet. A complex hydraulic system was used to purify water and appears to gives beneficial virtues. The temple in itself is of small size but its particular configuration is worth a visit. The modern name of Neak Pean (rolled up snakes) comes from a great number of snakes which proliferated in the neighbourhoods of the temple.
PRE RUP
Constructed : Mid 10th
century 944-961
Religion : Hindu
King : Rajendravarman II
(944-968)
Location : On the large circuit, very near to the road, between East Baray and Srah Srang.
Comment : Several histories circulate about this temple mountain. The first would indicate it like an old funeral monument, but the second which is at the origin of the name (Pre Rup = Changer body) is a beautiful legend according to which the central swimming pool would be filled with a magic liquid which would allow that which bathes there to come out of there with a body without defect!
The swimming pool is unfortunately empty today. The materials used fin- the construction of this temple, laterite and brick, confer tone to him very hot which, added to the impeccable proportions make a splendid pyramid of it. This temple is a marvellous place to admire sun-rise or sunset on the surrounding countryside, far from large crowd.
Temple Detail : The main material is bricks, but it is the time when the sandstone started being gradually used. And, after this, the building materials (the wrap-ping material) keep moving to the sandstone. It is suitable, plane surface constitution of the Pre Rup complicated in final period of one times such as that. As for peripheral wall eastwest 127 meters and north and south II 7 meters. There is a tower gate on east Seinan north. The tower of the brick each is arranged three at a time on left and right of the front.
In addition, the long building has lined up on septentrional south & west side. As for inside perimeter wall east west 87 meters and north south 77 meters. It is on the stylobate which is higher than more. The stone tank that (under the stylobate of the front) it is the long building where two scripture houses and around are surrounded completely in this level, to that it was used in cremation. In addition there is a unique rock work and small building which it is possible to northeast angle with the laterite. From this level, furthermore, the stylobate accumulated by the pyramid type of three layer, is a central hall and four secondary halls in the first section. Charm of the Pre Rup is the complicated plane surface constitution where the tower of the brick of thinness stands close together first. Especially, the stairway rising from east side, when aim toward the central hall and try to look back, it is possible to enjoy the view such as that. As for another charm, there is a distant view as a mountain type temple. In the even scenery where the paddy field spreads, the tower of how many thing brick has stood in a row on the enormous temple of red brown beam pyramid type, view of the Pre Rup temple is visible well even from the distance, gives strong impression. Not to be to get off the car before the ruins, descending foreward several hundred meters and walking slowly we would like to try getting near.
EAST MEBON
Constructed : Mid 10th
century, 944 - 952
Religion : Hindu
King : Rajendravarman II
(944 968)
Location : On the small circuit, in the medium of the Eastern baray.
Comment : In perfect alignment with the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom, Victory Gate and exactly in the East, in the middle of a gigantic baray of 7 km by 1.8 km, is Mebon Oriental. The baray, formerly supplied with Tonle Sap and which was used to feed the neighbouring cultures is entirely covered today with ground and sand so that you reach Mebon by the road. But formerly, the only way to reach this temple is to cross the baray by boat, which explains the presence of the four landing stages located at each cardinal point. This temple mountain does not have a central pyramid which was replaced by a simple platform. It is supposed that they will not have wanted too much to charge this small island located at the medium with such a quantity of water. This temple was built at the time when the country had been shaken by the usurping king Jaya-varmint IV and Rajandravannan II had just brought back the capital 'rum Kho Ker to Angkor. Rajaendravarman II would have built this temple in the honour of his divinized parents and to protect the country and to contribute to the continuity of the royal line. The elephants which decorate each angle of this temple are very realistic and recall us that this temple is related to a legend of a magic elephant.
WEST MEBON
Constructed : Late 11th century
Religion : Hindu
King : Udayadityavarman II
( 1050 — 1066 )
Location : West olAngkor Thom. North of Siem Reap Airport. In the middle of West Baray. A fragment of the layer Vishnu's statue, bronze. Actu-ally keeps at the national museum of the Phnom-Penh.
Comment : West Mebon is the artificial island. Angkor regional largest Baray, west mebon. Barely you can see the leaving behind structure of the temple in the island. The enormous Vishnu's God image of the bronze make which is discovered from the well which inside the ruins is (the photograph right) the masterpiece.
BANTEAY SAMRE
Religion : Hindu
King : Suryavarman II
(1113— 1150)
Location : Outside of the large circuit, one finds Ban-teay Samre three kilometers in the East of East Mebon.
Comment : Banteay Samre isassociated with a interesting legend which connects three temples: Eastern Mebon, Pre Rup and Banteay Srey, the legend of king and soft cucumbers. Samres were large warriors, supposed to be mercenaries, shaven, tattooed and very impressive. It is said that the inhabitants of the village of Pradak, located beside this temple, are their downward. One of them, a gardener had inherited a divine son cucumber seed that the king adored at the point to have condemned to died any person who would enter the cucumber field to steal them. By greediness, the long penetrated during the night in the field and was killed by the gardener. Not having a descent, one called upon "the elephant of the victory" of Mebon Oriental to appoint the future king, and it appointed the gardener. The late king was buried in Pre R up, but its subjects refused to recognize the gardener for king and this one went lobe locked up in Banteay Samre to protect himself. Enormous work of anastylose it made possible to emphasize a splendid unit and well pre-served. The visit of Banteay Samre is to be combined with that of Banteay Srey.
Temple Detail : The Banteay Samre temple with the Angkor Wat style which has feature in the central hall which places the tower of -conical condition on top, has the unique atmosphere like the fortress. As fir thc cause of that the high peripheral wall, there is constitu-tion inside the inside perimeter kind of wall where quite the central hall stands in the bath pond. 'Elie temple is surrounded by the wall where the laterite is high, the corridor and the hall, two scripture houses are crowded in the space where the inside ofthat is narrow relatively. As for the construct density with other things it is something which is not felt excessively. 'Me stylobate section was a height, in order to be able to stretch the water inside. The lattice window of the corridor con-dition is good, also shape is beautiful. .[he temple itself is small relatively, but it has the long going/participating road on eastwest. As for the length on east going road 200 meters, on west going road 350 meters. As for the east going road being similar to the Angkor Wilt west going road, the style lays the sandstone on the stylobate of the laterite.
BANTEY PREI
Constructed : Late 12th century
Religion : Mahayan Buddhism
King : Jayavarman VII
Location : On the large circuit, the left between preah Khan and Neak Pean, on the same small road and immediately after Prasat Prei.
Commands : Bantey Prei, the "fortress of the forest", is a small temple of Bayon style which present an air of family with Ta Prohm but in much smaller and especially much less visited. The few tourists do not venture to make this small tour what makes of it a very calm and restingplace. The corridor the central hall remains, also the mark of the ring moat is recognized. The large wood stimulates inside the corridor and stands.
BANTEAY SREY
Constructed : Late 10th
century - 967
Religion : Hindu
King : Rajendravarman II
( 944 - 968 ) & Jayavarman V
( 968 1001 )
Location : At 37 km in North East of Siem Reap, and about 20 km from the large circuit, the road of Banteay Srey is very practicable and now indicated well.
Comment : Jewel of Khmer art, this temple with restricted dimensions is well outside the whole of Angkor, in a zone still difficult to access a short time ago, which explains its relatively late discovery and its restoration which intervened only after the complete release in 1924. It emanates from this small temple a very special softness, a kind of undoubtedly calms mainly with the colour of the stones used for its construction, a pink liking which slightly changes colour with the sun. Many sculptures, their smoothness and excellent state of conservation contribute to the charm of this unit. The term of "Banteay Srei" can be translated by "fortress of the women" but it's real significance differs according to various interpretations. Some say that this temple was built by women, of other, that it was reserved to the women, or that many women there were Ibund, but most probable in our eyes is that according to which the temple would have been built in homage to the women. The visit of Banteay Srei is to be envisaged over at least a half-day, visits that one will be able to combine with that of Banteay Samre and, on the return at the end of the afternoon with the splendid sunset visible from the top of Pre Rup.
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