What to do in Siem Reap?
The obvious answer to the question “what to do in Siem Reap” is to visit Angkor Wat. This monumental Wat is the largest religious structure in the world and is believed to be the earthly embodiment of Mt. Meru the home of the Hindu Gods.
Here is our Angkor Wat Guide.
Angkor Wat Guide.
As home to the Hindu Gods, Angkor Wat is as close as you can get to Heaven on Earth.
Tension builds dramatically when approaching Angkor Wat. Driving beside the impressive moat and walking along the lengthy causeway is an exciting precursor to what is without doubt a world renowned Act.
Prior to visiting Angkor Wat I had a lot of questions and I’ve listed them below with answers for your convenience.
Who built Angkor Wat?
It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II.
How Old is Angkor Wat?
It was built in the first half of the 12th century – 113 BC – and took about 30 years to complete.
How Big is Angkor Wat?
The Wat is a neat rectangle with an area of 500 acres and is the largest religious complex in the world. It is 213 metres high from ground level to the top of the central tower.
How far is Angkor Wat from Siem Reap?
It is about 6km north of Siem Reap and takes about 25 minutes in a tuk tuk.
How was Angkor Wat built?
It was made of sandstone blocks floated 50km downstream from holy Phnom Kulen. Inscriptions tell that 300,000 workers and 6000 elephants were used in the construction of the wat.
Angkor Wat religion.
The Angkor Wat religion was originally Hindu but is now – like 95% of Cambodians – Buddhist. What I find endearing about this change of faith is that nothing physically changed. Even though the scenes of the Hindu Stories carved into the walls of the temple depict and glorify killing (abhorred by Buddhists) they were left intact. There are only a few buddhist statues and images in the complex, but only because most in the Gallery of the Thousand Buddhas were destroyed in the 1975-79 war.
Angkor Wat Moat
To paraphrase the words of Paul Hogan from the Crocodile Dundee Movie-
That’s not a
knifemoat, this is aknifemoat.
This massive moat is 190m wide, with sides measuring 1.5km and 1.3km.
Now that is a moat.
“Angkor-Wat-from-the-air” by Charles J Sharp – Taken from helicopter flying over Angkor Wat. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons.
In the photo below the Angkor Wat moat looks like a river, but the photo was taken looking across the moat toward Angkor Wat. The moat has a perimeter of 5.5 km.
At our feet wild monkeys foraged for food in the late afternoon.
Angkor Wat Weather
Like Siem Reap weather, Angkor Wat weather is hot and sticky. November to February is peak season. The weather is drier and cooler (25 to 20 degrees C). March to May expect 40 degrees. June to October is rainy season and roads are muddy but it only usually rains in the afternoon.
Angkor Wat Entrance
The dreamy appeal of the moat is abandoned at the main Western Entrance where it adopts a business like attitude to cater for the two million visitors it welcomes each year. Only the Western Entrance can be used.
Entrance is via the 250 m (820 ft) long Sandstone Causeway to the left of the photo below. The Causeway is 12 m or 39 ft. wide.
The Two Angkor Wat Libraries
Having crossed the moat via the sandstone causeway and left the outer wall behind, a 475 metre long internal Avenue leads toward the central temple complex. On either side of the walkway stands a single Library building.
It was common for there to be a library either side of a Wat entrance, but although the name Library conjures up thoughts of manuscripts and books for us, these were more likely to have been used as religious shrines.
The photo below shows the Library on the left.
On the far right of the photo above is the left of the twin pools from where the iconic Angkor Wat reflection photographs are taken. It is the place where sunrise shots are taken.
The left pool always has water in it while the right is seasonal.
Angkor Wat Statues
The seven headed Naga (Serpent).
The Naga is an important Cambodian symbol and is prevalent at Angkor. If you are like me and don’t like snakes don’t worry – Nagas have a protective aura not a threatening one. The balustrades are Naga Balustrades, with heads on each end.
The Lion.
Originally used by Brahma the Hindu God of creation, to protect his palace doorway and so it is here to protect the gods of Mt. Meru.
What to see in Angkor Wat?
Theravada Buddhist Monks.
Their burnt orange robes being a common sight, while monks dressed in Brown can also be seen.
The eight armed and 3.25m high statue of Vishna.
It is made from a single stone and is topped by a jaunty umbrella.
The longest bas reliefs in the world.
They surround the central temple and are still in amazingly good condition – mostly completed in the late 11th/early 12th Century with some added in the 16th and still not finished today. If you have a guide they will tell you the stories as you view the panels. I remembered the stories as those enacted by the Hindu Temple Dancers in Bali. The bas reliefs are roped off in order to preserve them, but it is still possible to get an up close view of the detail. As well as Hindu mythology there are intricate portrayals of Khmer life – fishing nets, traps, crocodiles and cooking.
More than 3000 Apsaras (heavenly maidens).
You will find them carved into the walls for the pleasure of the gods, each supposedly unique – they even have 37 different hairstyles. Unfortunately damaged by a 1980’s Indian acid clean gone wrong the damage is now being corrected by the German Apsara Conservation Project.
Bakan the Kingdom of the Gods.
The third storey of the central temple is known as Bakan, the Kingdom of the Gods, and is suitably difficult to reach – check out the slope of the stairs. For several years the Kingdom of the Gods was not accessible, but is now open for business, although visitor numbers are limited. We visited mid October when afternoon rain was still a problem, but not visitor numbers.
The view from the top of Bakan.
Looking toward the outer walls beyond which lies the main Western Entrance.
Why was Angkor Wat built?
There are two schools of thought. The Wat’s orientation is to the west meaning death, an indication that it was built as a tomb for Suryavarman II, who was killed in battle but whose body was never recovered.
On the other hand Vishnu is also associated with the west and it was probably built primarily for him. In either case Angkor Wat is dedicated to Vishnu.
Angkor Wat Photos
Most of the temples or wats at Angkor Wat face east and so the best time to take photos is the morning. With Angkor Wat itself facing west, it’s best time is the afternoon.
Ta Phrom and Preah Khan have overhead foliage and so can be photographed with the sun overhead.
Why is Angkor Wat important?
Angkor (meaning City) Wat (meaning Temple) was the centre of ancient Khmer civilisation. It is a huge part of the modern Cambodian psyche and features proudly on the Cambodian flag.
Angkor Wat Sunrise
- Be at the temple by 5a.m.
- Purchase tickets the day before (allows for sunset the day before)
- Go directly to the left pond
- Stand at the front where there are no water lilies and no rocks jutting out of the water where others could push in front.
- Visit the temple the day before to understand the layout and where to go.
Tips for Visiting Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat Entrance Fee 2018
- 1-day pass – US$ 37;
- 3-day pass – US$ 62;
- 7-day pass – US$ 72;
Purchase at the ticket office at Angkor Archaeological Park where your photograph is also taken.
The 3 day and 7 day passes do not have to be used on consecutive days.
We purchased our Angkor Wat ticket at 9.30 a.m. mid October and there was no waiting. The tickets are quite flimsy and should be kept in a protected place. As there can be sudden downpours a dry bag or plastic sleeve is probably a good idea.
If you have a guide they will take you to the office to purchase your ticket on the way to Angkor Wat.
The one ticket gives access to all wats in the Angkor Wat park.
There is an ATM at the office now and Credit Card is now an allowed form of payment.
Tickets are non-refundable and non-replaceable if damaged or lost.
Word on the street is that if purchased at 5 pm they can be used that night as well. Angkor Wat closes at 6 p.m.
The Ticket booth opens at 5 am and closes at 5.30 pm.
How to get to Angkor Wat and an Angkor Wat Tour
A personalised Angkor Wat tour in a tuk tuk with driver and guide can be arranged through your hotel or guesthouse. In our opinion hiring a guide is very beneficial. Not all drivers can speak English and they stay with the tuk tuk whereas the guide escorts you around the wats. Your guide should be approved by the authorities and wear an official shirt.
We learned about Angkor Wat from our guide Borith. He knew where to eat and met with us beforehand to discuss which temples we wanted to see. He also knew the best vantage points for photos and often volunteered to take photos of us – actually he loved taking photos!
View Siem Reap, Cambodia in a larger map
Read our full Cambodian Itinerary here.
Read more Cambodian posts here.
Follow the link to Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday over at Budget Travelers Sandbox
Sihanoukville Sunset
Spectacular photos Jan, of a spectacular place. I particularly love those sculptures. Cambodia has been on my bucket list for a few years now, after we travelled to Vietnam in 2011. Your post has convinced me to move it up the list!
This was absolutely fantastic, Jan! Your pictures of the incredible contrast with the bleak, darkness of the buildings is absolutely stunning. Loved the Crocodile Dundee quote too….a movie I’ve seen many times. I wish you would have gotten a photo of the monkeys! 🙂
I do have photos Mike, I did think of adding them but decided against it. I’ll add one on the week-end, we’re off boating today.
Amazing pictures, Jan…
Such a well-known place, and yet I had no idea of any of the history behind it – it’s fascinating. And you have some great photos with unusual angles on it. I’d love to go one day!
Wonderful post, Jan. You brought back my Angkor Wat memories. I’ve been twice, and both times were before I was blogging. I would go back again in a heartbeat. It’s interesting what they have done to the stairs to the third level. When I was there you had to climb the massive stone steps. There were no handrails. Without rails there was not way I was going straight up! I’d do it now that they have the wooden steps and rails. A guide makes a big difference. They all seem to know a lot about the complex and its history. Good to hear that you can now stagger your days with the pass. It used to be that you couldn’t, and that was a pain!
I would not have done it without railings either Nancie. As it was I made Marty go down the steps in front of me so that all I could see was his back 🙂
The architecture is truly impressive and magnificent. Interesting to know of a Mt Meru in Cambodia, we also have a Mt Meru in East Africa.
I loved seeing your photos of this totally stunning place. I visited way back in 1993 and will never forget my time there. I went alone and it was one of the few places I travelled solo to so it was a big part of my travel history and a very special place for me.
I’d love to visit Angkor Wat one of these days – you’ve captured it well. And that moat is incredible!
Our guide Borith explained so much about the temple, he really made the visit. I think that going by ourselves we would not have appreciated it as much. Even with a guidebook it is not the same. 🙂
Beautiful photos. It looks much less crowded than when I was there in April. I didn’t have a chance to go up to the 3rd level as they wouldn’t let my younger 2 kids up. I just stayed with them, let my hubby and oldest kid go up, then looked at their photos. I kept teasing hubby that the naga balustrude was giving me decorating ideas for our home.
It was funny Michele, that our guide did not go up to the top level with us. I asked him why and he said there was nothing for him to tell us. Maybe he did not like the heights or the Gods, maybe?
Beautiful photos, Jan. I have seen many pictures of Angkor Wat but yo’ve brought a new perspective to it. I’ve never seen some of these angles before. That steep staircase is a bit nerve wracking to see. I long to visit this and hopefully one day soon. Thanks for the visual feast and inspiration!
Hi Mary, the bas reliefs are very impressive and the size of it, plus of course this is only one temple 🙂
Hi Jan, beautiful! I love your detailed photos and narraitives. I felt like I just revisited the temple for the thrid time. The aerial perspective in the first photo is amazing.
I found that aerial on Wikipedia Marisol and used it to show just how big the moat is.
Lovely explanation of the temple, it’s been too long since I’ve last visited this site.
When my father was serving the army he went to Cambodia for a while. He saw the Angkor Wat before it was a tourists site and it left such a big impression on him that years later he’d had a tattoo made on his arm of the Angkor Wat and returned there. He showed me photos and told me stories when I was younger so I grew up with a desire to visit this magical and gorgeous place. If there is one place in the world that I would like to visit most, it is the Angkor Wat. Great post with gorgeous photos!
Wow, how lucky your Dad was to get their before it was “discovered”. I can imagine how you want to visit from his stories. I always wanted to visit Luang Prabang in Laos because of stories my brother told me. One day in 2010 we did visit and I loved it. Hope you get to see Angkor Wat. 🙂