A Picture Tour of the Angkor Wat Temples Around Siem Reap

For touring the temples of Angkor, I wanted to experience it first hand, and at my own pace, so I decided to rent a bike from the hotel and visit them that way. The roads are flat, there isn’t too much traffic, so I thought this would be fun. It was hot, and I was sweaty, but it was well worth it. The following photos don’t do justice to how beautiful everything was, or how hot it was.

There are certainly good tour guides available, but I kind of wanted to do my own touring at my own pace. I did some research ahead of time, mostly thanks to excellent book I brought with me. Angkor: Cambodia’s Wondrous Khmer Temples by Dawn Rooney. It has excellent maps and provides a historical view of the entire temple complex.

_{Note: This link points to Amazon, and if you purchase the book or other products from here, I will get a small percentage of the sale. Thanks}

Angkor map via Wikimedia commons

Experiencing the temples is truly an experience. It is really a complex spread across many miles. While many have been refurbished, the various temples are in all states of repair. My first day began with an early start. In theory this was to beat the crowds, but lots of other people are out early for this same reason. Thankfully, it was somewhat cooler at this time. The first day was a little cloudy, so I opted to wait for sunrise at Angkor Wat until the next day. I began to explore the areas of Angkor Thom.

Angkor Thom to Ta Prohm

A few pictures can’t accurately describe the scale and diverse detail that is present. I didn’t know much about this place, and even after using the book I mentioned before, it only scratches the surface. Here are some photos:

Gate into Angkor Thom

for better or worse visitors can climb all over the place, likely speeding the aging process…

Bayon, within Angkor Thom

Bayon was one of my favorite sites

From top of Bayon looking back, opposite view from above photo

Th Phrom, made famous by the movie Tomb Raider

Ta Phrom has been preseved in a similar state as it was rediscovered in the early 20th century. Most of the other temples have been cleaned up, with paths made to access them somewhat more easily.

After several hours of touring, the heat of the day was starting to catch up with me. My water was running slow, so I decided to take a short break and eat near one of the temples, and refresh my water stash. I had an early lunch, toured a bit more, then returned to the Le Meridien to cool off and shower during the peak temperatures of mid afternoon. I went into Siem Reap for dinner, and a massage (or 2).

the trusty chariot for my adventures

Touring Angkor by car

For the next day, I decided to hire a driver for half a day before I had to return to the airport. My plan was to get to Angkor Wat at sunrise, and then visit some other temples that were further away. I could hire a motorbike, a tuk-tuk, or a car. Ultimately, I opted just for the car since my time was limited, and this was a bit faster, and likely more comfortable.

Angkor Wat at dawn

Unfortunately, I never really got to see the sunrise over Angkor Wat, since it was cloudy that morning. Still, it was quite impressive. Just a reminder for those visiting this temple pre-dawn, to bring a flashlight! Paths aren’t exactly flat and smooth. Plus no one wants to fall into the moat! Once there was some daylight, I explored the main temple of Angkor Wat.

the Library

Some of countless bas-reliefs within Angkor

More bas-reliefs and the constant ongoing renovation work

reflections

After walking around this temple, I returned to the parking area, and found my driver. It was a bit of a challenge now that I could actually see, but once we reconnected, we headed 25km north from the main temple complex to Banteay Srei temple. This temple is unique, in that it is made of red sandstone, and sometimes called the ‘ladies temple’. It is much smaller in scale than many others, but the ornate detail is impressive.

Banteay Srei

More modern Cambodia – landmines

From here, for a diversion from ancient temples, I wanted to visit the Cambodia Landmine Museum, and learn more about more recent history of this area. There are still many landmines from the various wars that have occurred in Cambodia since the 1960s. This museum was started by a man who was conscripted to fight for the Khmer Rouge as a child, and eventually fought against Khmer Rouge. This is where he learned about land mines, since he had to place them. After the war was over, he has dedicated his life to demining. His methods are very unconventional, but he was recognized by among others, as a CNN Hero a few years back. More info on Aki Ra.

Cambodia Landmine Museum

There are many displays about the various types of landmines found all over Cambodia. American, Chinese, Soviet made are all there. Definitely a moving experience. In addition, many children orphaned or wounded by landmines have been hired to work at the museum.

After the landmine museum, I hit a few more temples on the way back to Siem Reap.

Views of Pre Rup, including a self-portrait from the top.

After a nice morning touring, I was back at the Le Meridien. I did have a little time before I had to return to the airport, so I went for one more massage in town. From there, I returned to the airport, where I headed back to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur.

I really enjoyed my first visit to Cambodia. I would return some day, although maybe trying Phnom Penh for something new. Still, the temples have seemingly endless things to explore.

A Picture Tour of the Angkor Wat Temples around Siem Reap

Angkor Thom to Ta Prohm

Touring Angkor by car

More modern Cambodia – landmines

Related Links

About Brad

Angkor Thom to Ta Prohm

Touring Angkor by car

More modern Cambodia – landmines

Related Links

Read This Next

About Brad