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Green Era Travel provides tips and advice on how to visit Angkor Wat, a temple complex in Cambodia that is a popular tourist destination.
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Introduction
Angkor Wat, located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. The temple complex is the largest religious monument in the world, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are planning a trip to Angkor Wat, there are a few things you should know before you go.
In this guide, we will cover the following topics:
-When to Visit Angkor Wat
-How to Get to Angkor Wat
-What to See at Angkor Wat
-Tips for Visiting Angkor Wat
We hope that this guide will help you plan your trip to Angkor Wat and make the most of your time at this amazing temple complex.
What is Angkor Wat?
Angkor Wat is a large temple complex in Cambodia that was built in the 12th century. It is the largest religious structure in the world, and it is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. More than two million people visit Angkor Wat each year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cambodia.
History of Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world, with the site measuring 162.6 hectares. It was originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu in the early 12th century before being repurposed as a Buddhist temple in the 16th century. The temple is famous for its intricate carvings and vast size, with its layout representing a microcosm of the Hindu universe.
The temple was built by King Suryavarman II in honor of Vishnu and is believed to have taken around 30 years to complete. It was constructed using sandstone, laterite and brick, with each stone individually carved with religious imagery. The temple consists of five towers which are connected by a series of corridors and galleries. The central tower is 55 meters tall and symbolizes Mount Meru, the home of the gods in Hindu mythology.
The temple complex was designed to represent the cosmic world, with the outer wall representing the mountains that encircle Earth, the middle wall symbolizing heaven and finally the inner sanctum representing Mount Meru itself. Angkor Wat was abandoned soon after it was built and fell into disrepair, with plants and trees growing over much of the site. It wasn’t until 1860 that French explorer Henri Mouhot rediscovered Angkor Wat, bringing it back into the public consciousness.
How to get to Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The best way to get there is by flying into Siem Reap International Airport (REP). From the airport, you can either take a taxi or a tuk-tuk to your hotel. If you are staying in Siem Reap, most hotels will offer shuttle services to and from the airport.
Once you’re in Siem Reap, you can explore the temples of Angkor Wat by bike, car, or boat. There are many tour companies that offer day tours of the temples, and these can be booked through your hotel or via an online travel agency.
What to see at Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world, with the site measuring162.6 hectares. It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple of god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, gradually transforming into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. If you’re thinking about visiting, here are some of the things you can see at Angkor Wat.
The Temple Complex
The temple complex is comprised of three levels, with each level taller than the last. The first level has a series of bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, while the second level has 54 towers representing the 54 days of Vishnu’s year. The third and highest level contains the central sanctuary, where you can see a statue of Vishnu.
The Bas-Reliefs
The bas-reliefs around the temple complex are some of its most iconic features. These reliefs depict scenes from classical Cambodian literature, such as the famous “Churning of the Ocean Milk” scene from the Hindu epic “the Ramayana”.
The Statues
There are many statues located throughout Angkor Wat, but one of the most famous is the statue of Jayavarman VII, located in the central sanctuary on the top level of the temple complex. This statue depicts Jayavarman VII as Avalokitesvara,the bodhisattva of compassion, and is one example of how Angkor Wat evolved from a Hindu to a Buddhist temple over time.
Tips for visiting Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world, with an area of 162.6 hectares. The temple was built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in honor of the Hindu god Vishnu. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.
If you are planning a trip to Angkor Wat, here are some tips to make the most of your visit:
-Get there early: The complex opens at 5am and it is best to arrive before 7am to avoid the crowds and heat.
-Wear comfortable shoes: You will be doing a lot of walking, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes.
-Bring water and sunscreen: It can get very hot, so make sure you stay hydrated and protected from the sun.
-Hire a guide: A guide can help you make the most of your visit and learn about the history and culture of Angkor Wat.
Where to stay near Angkor Wat
The Angkor Wat temple complex is the biggest religious monument in the world, and a must-see for any traveler to Southeast Asia. The temples are spread out over a large area, so it’s important to choose accommodations that are close to the temples you want to visit. Here are some great hotels near Angkor Wat:
-The Shinta Mani resort is just a 10-minute walk from the temples. The resort has its own restaurant, swimming pool, and spa.
-The Apsara Hotel & Residence is another great option, located just a 5-minute walk from the temple complex. The hotel has an outdoor pool, fitness center, and a restaurant serving Khmer and international dishes.
-The Siem Reap Boutique Hotel is a 3-star hotel located a 15-minute walk from the temples. The hotel features an outdoor pool, bar, and restaurant.
What to eat near Angkor Wat
If you’re visiting Angkor Wat, you’ll want to make sure you try some of the local food. There are plenty of options to choose from, whether you want something quick and easy or a more traditional sit-down meal.
For a quick snack, try some comkrey, a kind of rice porridge that’s popular in the morning. You can also get it with different toppings, like green onions or dried shrimp. If you’re looking for something more substantial, amok Trey is a local dish made with fish or chicken and coconut milk, served inside a banana leaf.
There are also plenty of places to eat near Angkor Wat if you don’t want to cook yourself. street carts selling snacks like grilled meats on a stick, and there are many restaurants serving both Cambodian and international cuisine.
How to avoid scams at Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and is the largest religious monument in the world, with the site measuring 162.6 hectares. It was originally built as a Hindu temple of god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, gradually transforming into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. Today, it is considered a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country’s prime tourist attraction. As Angkor Wat welcomes 2 million tourists each year, scams are unfortunately very common in the area. Here are some tips on how to avoid being scammed while visiting Angkor Wat:
-Don’t buy tickets from tuk tuk or taxi drivers; only buy tickets from official sources.
-Beware of anyone offering to be your “guide” for a fee; official guides must be accredited by the Ministry of Tourism.
-Don’t accept help from strangers with buying tickets or getting around the temples; this is often a scam to get money from you.
-Be cautious of anyone who approach you aggressively selling souvenirs or food; only buy from reputable vendors.
-Ignore people who tell you that certain areas are closed off, as this is usually a lie to get you to go with them to another area where they will try to scam you.
If you follow these tips, you should be able to avoid being scammed while visiting Angkor Wat!
FAQs about Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world, with an area of 162.6 hectares. Most visitors come to see the main temple, which is recognisable by its five towers that represent the peaks of Mount Meru. The temple was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a tribute to the Hindu god Vishnu, and it remained a Hindu religious site until the 14th century when Theravada Buddhism became dominant in Cambodia.
Angkor Wat is located in Siem Reap Province, about 6 kilometres north of Siem Reap town centre. The best time to visit Angkor Wat is between November and March when temperatures are cooler and there is less chance of rain. However, the temple complex can be visited all year round.
To visit Angkor Wat, you need to buy a ticket from the Angkor Archaeological Park ticket office. Tickets are valid for one day (24 hours), three days or seven days. You can also buy a combination ticket that includes access to other temples in the area, such as Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm Temple.
When you buy your ticket, you will need to provide your passport details so that your ticket can be printed with your photo on it. You will need to show your ticket whenever you enter an archaeological site within the park boundaries.
Tickets for children under 12 years old are free, and tickets for students aged 12-22 years old are available at a discounted price.
