Angkor Wat
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The town of
Siem Reap, in northern Cambodia, is the primary access point for the Angkor
Archaeological Park. The name Siem Reap literally means "Siam
Defeated". These days, however, the only rampaging hordes are the tourists
heading to the Angkor Archaeological Park. This once quaint village has become
the largest boom town and construction site in Cambodia. It is quite laid-back
and a pleasant place to stay while touring the temples. Since Siem Reap is a
major tourist destination, prices in some instances are higher than elsewhere
in Cambodia. Expect to receive almost constant offers for motodop and tuk-tuk
rides, along with everything else which drivers may be able to offer to you.
Angkor Wat
Archaeological Park, located in northern Cambodia, is one of the most important
archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Stretching over some 400 square
kilometers, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the
magnificent remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire of the 9th to the
15th centuries, including the largest per-industrial city in the world. The
most famous are the Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple
with its countless sculptural decorations.
Angkor
Archaeological Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992. At the
same time, it was also placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to
looting, a declining water table and unsustainable tourism. Angkor itself has
no accommodations and few facilities; the nearby town of Siem Reap is the
tourist hub for the area.
The temples
of Angkor Wat Pictures are highly symbolic structures. The foremost Hindu
concept is the temple-mountain, where the temple is built as a representation
of the mythical Mount Meru: this is why so many temples, including Angkor Wat
itself, are surrounded by moats, built in a mountain-like pyramidal shape and
topped by precisely five towers, representing the five peaks of Mount Meru.
There was also a political element to it all: most kings wanted to build their
own state temples to symbolize their kingdom and their rule. Located six
kilometers north of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is one of the largest of Khmer
monuments. Built around the first half of 12th century by King Suryavarman II,
the temple's balance, composition and beauty make it one of the finest
monuments in the world. The sight of the grand monument towering over the
landscape is breath-taking at any time of day. However, to maximize the effect
it is suggested that the first trip to Angkor Wat be made in optimal lighting
conditions, usually around one- two PM. Sunrise at Angkor Wat is a also great
sight to witness.
Be sure to
pick up your free Siem Reap Angkor Visitors Guide and the equally free and
useful Siem Reap Pocket Guide from your hotel/guesthouse. It contains lots of
info on Siem Reap and the Angkor Archaeological Park, including
hotel/bar/restaurant/shop info, travel info, and maps. For the eco-sensitive
tourist, check out "Stay another Day: Cambodia," a detailed guide
with local spots that support the environment and community.
Angkor is
hot and sticky throughout the year, but the peak season is November to
February, when the weather is dry and temperatures are coolest (25-30°C). The
flip side is that the temples are packed, especially around Christmas/New
Year's, and hotel rates are at their highest. March to May is brutally hot,
with temperatures reaching 40°C. June to October is the rainy season, and
outlying temples and the roads leading to them can turn into quagmires of mud.
However, this is also when the temples are at their quietest, and it's still
often possible to do a good half-day round of sightseeing before the rains
start in the afternoon.
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