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The temples of Angkor are scattered around the town of Siem Reap. Most of these temples are close to the Grand Circuit which is 26 km in length or the Minor Circuit of 16 km. Angkor was the capital of the mighty Khmer empire which ruled a large portion of South East Asia around 1000 years ago. After the collapse of the Khmer civilisation Angkor was abandoned and the temples were covered by the jungle. They were rediscovered in the 1860s by the French.

Following the short circuit, you will visit Angkor Thom, the Bayon, the Terrace of the Leper King and Terrace of the Elephants, plus Preah Khan in the morning. In the afternoon you'll see Srah Srang, Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat for sunset.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat of course is the jewel in the crown of the Angkor Temples. It was constructed during the reign of Suryavaraman II (1112-1152). The temple has been beautifully restored and is the largest religious building in the world. It occupies some 210 ha and is surrounded by a moat 200 m wide. The enclosing wall is 5.5 km in length.

Angkor Thom / The Bayon

The Bayon Temple was built by Jayavaraman VII (1181-1220), and is located within the walls of Angkor Thom, once the centre of a city with a population of about one million. Bayon is famous for its 200 giant smiling faces carved into 54 towers that survey the world in all directions. There are three levels and you can work your way up through a tangle of galleries to the top.

Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm is about as famous as Angkor Wat, not in the least because of Angelina Jolie's acting in the film 'Tomb Raider'. Unlike other temples at Angkor, it has been left as it was found, preserved as an example of what a tropical forest will do to an architectural monument when the protective hands of humans are withdrawn. An aura of romance and mystery resides here among leaning walls and giant roots of kapok, fig and banyan trees.

The long or Grand Circuit is an extension of the short circuit. Instead of exiting at the East Gate of Angkor Thom, the long circuit leaves via the North Gate and continues to Preah Khan, Preah Neak Pean, Ta Som, Eastern Mebon and Pre Rup.

Preah Khan

The name of this temple means 'Sacred Sword'. It was built by king Jayavarman VII in honor of his father. An inscription suggests that the king built Preah Khan on the site of a battlefield on which he had defeated invaders from Champa. Like Ta Prohm, Preah Khan has been left largely unrestored, with numerous trees and other vegetation growing among the ruins.

Preah Neak Pean

Neak Pean has a large square man-made pond, surrounded by smaller square ponds. There is a sanctuary tower on a circular island in the middle of the central pond, encircled by two intertwined naga that give the temple its name. This pond is the replica of a mythical lake in the Himalayas, the water was believed to have curative power and was used for ritual purification rites.

Eastern Mebon

The Eastern Mebon temple once was located on an islet in a large water basin (the Eastern Baray) which today is dry. It was built during the reign of Rajendravarman II (944-968). It is a Hindu temple with a pyramidal shape representing the mythical Mt Meru, with five shrine towers at its top.

Pre Rup is very similar to Eastern Mebon, also built by Rajendravarman II and also representing Mt Meru. Pre Rub means 'turning the body' which refers to a traditional method of cremation.

Of the more remote temples, Banteay Srei is the easiest accessible. Preah Vihear lies far out to the north, near the Thai border.

Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei is a richly decorated, late 10th century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is built in red sandstone and has beautiful bas-reliefs and decorations. It is surrounded by three enclosures with the central structure being surrounded by a moat. Banteay Srei lies 25km to the north of the main Angkor temples.

Preah Vihear

Preah Vihear is set in a stunning location on top of a 550 metre cliff right on the Thai Border. It is difficult to reach from the Cambodian side, but plans are underway to built a new road to the temple. Preah Vihear achieved notoriety as it was the the stage for the final surrender of the Khmer Rouge in 1998.

Angkor Practical

While tuk tuk drivers can get you to all the temples they are not allowed to accompany you into the temples. That is the role of guides, who are meant to have gained a licence, though not all have. The first criteria for a guide is that they have a clear command of your language, and of course they should have a good understanding of the history of the temples and of contemporary Cambodian life.

There is a Khmer Angkor Tour Guide Association where qualified guides who can speak Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese can be hired on a daily basis.

Tickets

A one day pass costs $20, 3 days $40 and a pass for 7 days is $60.
Bring a photo of yourself for your ticket.

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