Angkor Wat from above

On par with the pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China, Cambodia’s massive, UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park deserves its rank at the top of many a world traveler’s bucket list. Angkor, which is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia, stretches over some 400 km2, including forested areas. Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. It is an architectural masterpiece of massive proportions, representing the apex of Khmer building skills. Located in dense jungle, the great temple complex has survived largely unscathed. Angkor Wat today attracts millions of visitors each year. 

There are 3 types of tickets: 

1-day pass costs $37 USD 

3-day pass costs $62 USD (has to be used within a week) 

7-day pass costs $72 USD (has to be used within a month) 

Angkor Wat is open from 5 am to 6 pm, every day. Remember to carry your ticket with you, in some temples the security will check it at the entrance. The tickets are personal with your name and photo on it.

There are so many things to do in Angkor Archaeological Park, that you should devote to this ancient ruins at least two or three days of your trip. There is a thing you need to know is to remember to buy a ticket just before starting the tour in case you want to watch the Angkor Wat Sunrise, it might be a queue to get the ticket early in the morning. Or you can watch the sunrise on the second day of tour.

I.MUST-SEE TEMPLES IN ANGKOR

1. Angkor Wat

Panoramic view of Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat temple is the largest religious monument in the world, and in the Angkor Archaeological Complex as well. Angkor Wat is constructed with the main entrance to the West straight towards the sun rising. The Temple has 398 chambers connected by 1500 m of corridor. 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.

2. Angkor Thom

Panoramic view of Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom was founded by King Jayavarman VII, one of the most important figures of the Khmer Empire. He was a Buddhist, and during the time of his reign oversaw a wholesale conversion of the Khmer people from Hinduism to Buddhism. He was a great believer in public works, creating schools, hospitals, and reservoirs. He is also famous for resurrecting the Khmer Empire following Cham invasions, and creating a glorious new capital city – Angkor Thom – which was the central hub for a population of around 1 million.

Angkor Thom remained the capital of the Khmer Empire throughout its decline – and was probably fully abandoned in the 16th century. It is now, as with the other temples in the Angkor Park, a World Heritage site.

2.1 Bayon

From a distance, Bayon doesn’t look like the spookiest or the most mesmerizing of the Angkor temples, the centerpiece of Angkor Thom. However, once inside, you will realize that Bayon is constructed around 54 towers, with 216 smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara peering down at you. Bayon is a fantastic temple to explore – with mazes of tunnels, blocked doorways and tumble-down rocks making it a perfect place to get lost in the mysteries of Angkor.

2.2 Baphuon Baphuon is located 200m west of Bayon and was marked as the center of the city when the whole of Angkor Thom was fully complete. A pyramidal is probably one of the most impressive of the Angkor temples representing for the Mount of Maru.

2.3 Terrace of the elephants This 350m long terrace was supposedly used as a platform from which Jayavarman VII viewed his victorious returning army. The stairs are decorated with lions and garudas and life-sized images of elephants and their guardians are displayed on the terrace walls.

3. Ta Prohm

“Tome Raider Tree” in Ta Prohm

Step into the temple through the gate, you instantly feel like you are entering another dimension of the mysterious world. What makes the temple stand out are the giant stumps of trees winding over the crumbling stone walls, towering old trees with giant canopies, and long dark courtyards that attract those who love exploring. The famous tomb raider tree is located in the central sanctuary and is an impressive sight, the roots seeming to both strangle and support the ruins beneath.

4. Ta Som Temple 

East Gate of Ta Som Temple

There are two main attractions in the charming Ta Som temple. Firstly, a fairy-tale tree growing atop the historical main entrance is impressive. The East Gate of Ta Som has become the only Buddhist face-tower the surface of which is widely covered by roots of a strangler fig. Secondly, for lovers of ancient Khmer art, the decorations of Ta Som are remarkable, as there are extraordinarily large and comparatively well-preserved stone carvings depicting the Mahayana Buddhist more exquisitely than those at other contemporary Khmer temples.

5. Neak Pean

Neak Pean Temple (Entwined snakes)

Neak Pean means entwined snakes lying on an island in the center of Jayatataka Baray. During the rainy season, much of the temple area is flooded during the rainy season, so the walkway over the waters leading to the central sanctuary fenced off to protect it from further decay.

6. Phnom Bakheng

Sunset in Phnom Bakheng

Phnom Bakheng is considered as a place to end your day with the marvelous sunset completely. The temple, which is the tallest one among the Angkor Complex, was built on the top of 70 meter high hill. Moreover, Phnom Bakheng was known as the first and the main temple of Angkor at that time. In an effort to protect the temple, visitor numbers at sunset are now sometimes restricted and both authorities and Heritage Organizations recommend alternative sunset spots to try to take some pressure from Phnom Bakheng.

7. Prasat Banteay Srei

Intricate Carvings at Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei is located 35 km (22 miles) from Siem Reap, Cambodia. The temple is one of the most fine temples at Angkor, Cambodia. Dedicated to Hindu god Shiva, this 10th-century Cambodian temple is famous for using the largest amount of beautiful pinkish sandstone and intricate three-dimensional wall carvings.

8. Of Special Interest

Sunrise: Angkor Wat, (alternative: Srah Srang) 

Sunset: Phnom Bakheng, Angkor Wat 

Trees growing from temple ruins: Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Ta Som 

Giant carvings of faces: Bayon

Notable artistry/carvings: Angkor Wat, Banteay Srey, Bayon, Bakong, Terrace of the Leper King

II. SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

1. How to spend 1 day in Angkor Wat

Day 1

Morning

1. South Gate of Angkor Thom
2. Central Angkor Thom (Bayon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King).

Afternoon

1. Ta Prohm
2. Pre Rup (optional)
3. Angkor Wat
4. Phnom Bakheng for sunset.

2. How to spend 3 day in Angkor Wat

Day 1:

Morning

1. Angkor Wat – the biggest temple (start at 5h to see sunrise at 5h30)

Note: Buy tickets in advance (before the previous day)

Afternoon  

1. Bayon (Angkor Thom Center) and Baphuon (next to Bayon)
2. Sunset at Angkor Wat

The thing you need to know is the number of people allowed up top is limited, 100 visitors at maximum at once. It normally takes 30 mins to 1 hour to line up. However, it’s totally worth admiring one of the most fascinating scenes of the day.

Day 2:

Morning

1. Pre-Roup or East Mebon (they are similar)
2. Prasat Kravan and  Srah Srang (Optional)
3. Ta Som
4. Neak Pean. 

Afternoon

1. Ta Prohm. You should spend all afternoon here. It is said that this is one of the most beautiful temples of the Angkor Complex.
2. Phnom Bakheng is one of the most ideal places in Angkor for you to see the sunset. Also, only 300 visitors are allowed to climb up the top of the temple. Moreover, you can try elephant riding up down  the mountain. It costs $20.

Day 3

1. Banteay Srei Temple. It’s about 35 km from Siem Reap Center to Srei Temple. (Angkor Wat, Bayon & Ta Prohm (theo Tripadvisor)). This place is concluded in the Angkor Wat ticket.
2. Banteay Srei. There is a little market here (similar to Night Market).

III. EXTRA OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES NEAR ANGKOR 

1. Angkor Wat Zip Line Adventure  You simply can’t come to Siem Reap without a visit to the Angkor Wat Archeological Park, but the magnificent temples aren’t the only highlight. A half-day zip-line adventure, soaring through the Angkor rainforest, sky bridges, and abseils create a wonderful bonding time for your family

2. Archery Training at Siem Reap This is another activity that you should not miss out on their trip in Siem Reap, Cambodia. An archery training course definitely brings your child an unforgettable memory about Cambodia. So, what are you waiting for, let’s challenge your kids with Archey!

3. Quad Bike  Quad Bike Adventure brings you to the best authentic and unique beauty of Cambodia. Riding the road less traveled in rural villages and communities, and enjoy visiting to the local market during the tour will bring your kids memorable moments.

4. Siem Reap countryside Cycling Tour  Journey into the countryside of Siem Reap with the  incredible cycling tour allows you to enjoy the best of this Cambodian destination. Your kids can learn about traditional ways of life in Cambodia, and absorb the local atmosphere.

5. Local Family Cooking Class Your kids will enjoy walking through local market, local farms, learning about local herbs and ingredients and cutting vegetable from the farm for cooking. It would be a wonderful experience for your kids to learn about local cuisine.

6. Floating Village of Tonle Sap Lake Sap Lake is an incredible lake where many rural villages who live in stilt houses amongst the trees and along the rivers edge. The lake and river connects to the Mekong and is seasonal – if you’re in Siem Reap at the right time you can travel down the river to Battambang, sitting on the roof of the boat and just loving the world.

IV. TOP THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW MORE

1. Transportation

Tuk Tuk at Angkor Wat

There are three main ways to visit the world’s largest religious monument. 

Firstly, an absolute must while in Siem Reap, Cambodia aka The Kingdom of Wonder is a tuk-tuk tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you hire a private tuk-tuk driver for the day you’ll have the flexibility to see smaller lesser-visited temples.Tuktuk can carry about 4-5 people at once. 

Secondly, you can rent a private car or minivan. The renting price is about 45$ per day or $60 per day, which depends on the brand. Thirdly, renting an electric bicycle or a bicycle is another option for you. However, you should  hire a tour guide to show you the way to explore the best of Angkor. 

Note: In fact, Cambodian people (or drivers) mostly speak quite good English.

2. Tour guide If you have more time, a visit to the Angkor Wat National Museum before going to the park will help you to understand a little bit more about the beliefs and the architecture of Angkor Wat. You should hire guides [in English and other languages] from the official ticket booth on the road that connects Siem Reap city to the archeological site.   Moreover, hiring a tour guide is a proper way for kids to learn about the history, which keeps kids from more entertained. There is nothing more interesting when your kids can both learn about the world and travel at the same time.

Note: 

Remember to dress respectfully. Angkor Wat is more than an archeological site, it’s a temple, the symbol of a civilization and people’s belief, so cover your shoulders and avoid miniskirts. Don’t forget to follow the rules like smoking and eating in proper areas, and don’t feed the monkeys along the streets.

V. BEST KID-FRIENDLY HOTELS IN SIEM REAP

1. Sokha Angkor Resort The Sokha Angkor Resort is one of Siem Reap’s largest hotels, with 275 rooms, and one of the city’s largest swimming pools including a kids’ section. This 5-star luxury resort combines traditional Cambodian style and modern amenities. The hotel is perfectly situated right on the national road in the middle of town, which marks the crossroads to the Angkor temples and downtown Pub Street and market area.

2. Angkor Palace Resort & Spa The Angkor Palace Resort & Spa is a luxury hotel in the quiet countryside outside of Siem Reap, including 260 rooms and especially a Khymer-style 3-bedroom villa (family of 6) with a private swimming pool, living & dining rooms, a kitchenette, bathtubs and mini-bars. The resort also provide shuttle to downtown areas (fixed times).

3. Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa The Angkor Miracle Resort with 324 rooms is one of the largest hotels in Siem Reap and is popular with tour groups. The upscale hotel is close to the airport, but a 10-minute drive from the lively center of town. Moreover, an array of features includes a large swimming pool with a hot tub and kids’ section, a restaurant, and a cafe.

4. Prince D’Angkor Hotel & Spa The Prince D’Angkor Hotel & Spa is a four-pearl hotel including 195 rooms and is only a 10-minute walk from Siem Reap’s lively Pub Street. The hotel consists of swimming pool with a kids’ section, plus airport pickup, Wi-Fi, and breakfast (with Asian and Western options).

5. Memoire d’ Angkor Boutique Hotel The Memoire d’ Angkor Boutique Hotel is right on the main street of Siem Reap, with a variety of restaurants and shops nearby. It takes only a 15-minute drive to Angkor Wat and the airport. There is a small pool with an attached kids’ pool and a restaurant with live traditional music and Apsara dance shows each evening.

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We’ve completed our travel guide to Angkor Wat with all the highlighted things to do and see that can’t be missed in your trip. Angkor Wat is a large region with a lot of sites to check out and it’s understandable if you feel a bit overwhelmed. Why not let our travel consultants help arrange your trip to Siem Reap by sending your request to sales@vietnamholidayfamily.com today? If you want to go further information, please check out our website Vietnamholidayfamily.com or Vietprestigetravel.com.If you want to plan your own tour, check out our website or email us to sales@vietnamholidayfamily.com.