The
period between the 9th and the 13th centuries
was the golden age of the Khmer Empire, and
a succession of kings made use of their vast
wealth and the labor of slaves to execute a
monumental building program. During this time,
Khmer architecture developed and evolved to
reflect the change from the worship of the Hindu
god Shiva, to Vishnu, and then to a form of
Mahayana Buddhism. A huge and sophisticated
system of irrigation canals increased and solidified
the strength of the Empire. In 1431 Thai armies
from the west captured Angkor, and the Khmer
court abandoned the city. Theravada Buddhist
monks took over the city and for many years,
it was an important pilgrimage point.
One
of the world's great architectural achievements,
Angkor has tantalized Western travelers since
1858 when Henri Mouhot, a French naturalist,
stumbled upon it in the jungle, and it became
the 'lost city' of Asia. In recent years, it
was 'lost' again, but now the city in all its
glory can be seen.
ANGKOR THOM
Built
by Cambodia's greatest builder, Jayavarman VII.
This ten square kilometer city is enclosed by
an eight meter high wall and encircled by a
hundred meter moat said to have been inhabited
by fierce crocodiles. There are five twenty
meter high gates in the wall in each of the
North, West and South walls and two in the East
Wall. Access is via causeways over the moat
that are flanked by the statues of fifty four
Gods on the left and fifty four devils on the
right, all seemingly engaged in a game of tug
of war.
BAYON - TERRACE
OF THE LEPER KING - TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS
Located
in the geographical heart of Angkor Thom. The
fifty four tower temple is a quite remarkable
sight. Initially the temple seems to be a shapeless
mass of grey and brown stone but as one approaches
one realizes that each of the towers is in fact
carved and there are over two hundred huge enigmatic
faces of Avalokitesharva bearing down on you wherever
you turn. The Bayon is easily the most popular
sight after Angkor Wat and no visit is complete
without a trip to see this amazing and unique
temple.
BAPHOUN
TEMPLE - TA PHROM
Built
in the late 12th century by Jayavarman VII as
a shrine. Ta Prohm is unforgettable due to the
massive trees that were left here intentionally
by the archeologists working on the site. While
clearing back the forest it was decided to leave
them in place to serve as a reminder of how the
original discovers found it and other temples.
Many of the trees have grown around and through
the remains, and soar high above the temple. This
temple, along with those of the Bayon and Angkor
Thom form the core of any visit to Siem Reap.
ANGKOR
WAT
Angkor
Complex and two hand dug reservoirs that served
the civilization's rice growing agriculture: The
Eastern Baray measures 7 km by 1.8 km and the
Western Baray a staggering 8 km by 2.3 km. The
temple ground is surrounded by a wall and a moat
and the main entryway to is a street of roughly
half a kilometer length fringed by artificial
lakes, so-called Barays
PHNOM
BAKHENG
Served as the temple mountain
of the first city of Angkor as opposed to the
previous center of Roluos. The capital built on
a lone hill offers panoramic views of Angkor Wat.
Angkor Thom and the surrounding areas. It is best
visited in the late afternoon for a spectacular
sunset or in the early morning for sunrise over
Angkor Wat.
Built
by Cambodia's greatest builder, Jayavarman VII.
This ten square kilometer city is enclosed by
an eight meter high wall and encircled by a
hundred meter moat said to have been inhabited
by fierce crocodiles. There are five twenty
meter high gates in the wall in each of the
North, West and South walls and two in the East
Wall. Access is via causeways over the moat
that are flanked by the statues of fifty four
Gods on the left and fifty four devils on the
right, all seemingly engaged in a game of tug
of war.
Located
in the geographical heart of Angkor Thom. The
fifty four tower temple is a quite remarkable
sight. Initially the temple seems to be a shapeless
mass of grey and brown stone but as one approaches
one realizes that each of the towers is in fact
carved and there are over two hundred huge enigmatic
faces of Avalokitesharva bearing down on you wherever
you turn. The Bayon is easily the most popular
sight after Angkor Wat and no visit is complete
without a trip to see this amazing and unique
temple.
Built
in the late 12th century by Jayavarman VII as
a shrine. Ta Prohm is unforgettable due to the
massive trees that were left here intentionally
by the archeologists working on the site. While
clearing back the forest it was decided to leave
them in place to serve as a reminder of how the
original discovers found it and other temples.
Many of the trees have grown around and through
the remains, and soar high above the temple. This
temple, along with those of the Bayon and Angkor
Thom form the core of any visit to Siem Reap.
Angkor
Complex and two hand dug reservoirs that served
the civilization's rice growing agriculture: The
Eastern Baray measures 7 km by 1.8 km and the
Western Baray a staggering 8 km by 2.3 km. The
temple ground is surrounded by a wall and a moat
and the main entryway to is a street of roughly
half a kilometer length fringed by artificial
lakes, so-called Barays
