Angkor Wat in Cambodia
Imprinted on the national flag of Cambodia, Angkor Wat is renowned as the largest religious site of the world and it is also one of the declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Located at Siem Reap, Angkor Wat in Cambodia reflects the exalted grandeur and artistic perfection of the Khmer architecture. Undoubtedly it is the most enchanting site for every traveler who wants to get mesmerized by the beauty and glory of the grand Cambodia Kingdom. Angkor Wat offers a splendid experience for those who are looking for serenity amidst the chaos of life.
Outside of Angkor Wat Temple
History of Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is an enormous Buddhist temple complex located in northern Cambodia. It was originally built in the first half of the 12th century as a Hindu temple. Spread across more than 400 acres, Angkor Wat is said to be the largest religious monument in the world. Its name, which translates to “temple city” in the Khmer language of the region, references the fact it was built by Emperor Suryavarman II, who ruled the region from 1113 to 1150, as the state temple and political center of his empire. Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, Angkor Wat became a Buddhist temple by the end of the 12th century.
Although it is no longer an active temple, it serves as an important tourist attraction in Cambodia, despite the fact it sustained significant damage during the autocratic rule of the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s and in earlier regional conflicts.
Monks at Angkor Wat Temple
Architecture of Angkor Wat
The classical Khmer architecture majorly includes the use of sandstone in building of the religious sites. It is said that the architecture of The Angkor Wat in Cambodia is a work of power, unity and style. Spread over an area of 200 hectares the temple was built as a funerary for King Suryavarman II. One can clearly see the elements of Khmer architecture in this masterpiece of Cambodia. The highlights of this sensational temple are its decoration of the scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the Moat and the outer wall.
Angkor Wat Temple
Angkor Wat has 398 rooms, connected by a corridor measuring around 1,500 meters. Above, 5 towers shaped as lotus, interlocked with 3 architectural layers, in which the highest tower reached 65 meters, 4 sub-towers have 40 meters in height. The main path to Angkor Wat is also made of 230 meters long stone, nearly 10 meters in width and 5 meters high compared to lake water on both sides of the temple. The whole temple also retains the vestige of an ancient civilization with many pictures of stone carvings such as giant bas-reliefs, doors, ceilings, roofs,.. all present an extraordinary power and skillful hands of ancient Khmer.
Angkor Wat Temple in Siem Reap
When visiting Angkor Wat, you should give yourself a beautiful sunrise at there. Many tourist welcome the new day as a memorable experience. Late afternoon and in the sunset are also ideal times to admire the beauty of Angkor Wat. Remember to bring a flashlight if you plan to visit in the late afternoon because the temple is not illuminated at night. Pay attention to many steep steps so you should choose the right shoes for the trip. Hiring a bike to ride inside the complex is an interesting thing but you have to prepare a good health because of the wide area. Stopping at some street stalls around the temple for buying soft drinks and taking a break. If you look for souvenirs, the small stalls selling local art and crafts is a good choice, being right outside Angkor Wat.
Best time to visit Angkor Wat
Though the temple is visited by tourists all around the year, it will be best if you visit the temple in the month of November which marks the beginning of mild weather which ends in March. Other than these months Siem Reap observes a lot of rain or heat so plan accordingly.
Travel tips for Angkor Wat
- Hire a guide to make your visit easier.
- Don’t forget to wear full sleeves top and bottom wear up to knees due to the scorching heat which will surely burn you.
- Do bargain with the tuk -tuk drivers as they may charge more. Do carry a camera to capture the brilliant architecture