What To See

Angkor Archeological Park - Angkor Wat Guide

This section as intended as a guide for visiting the monuments at Angkor. It can be either read in advance of a visit or afterwards to reinforce the experience, or used at the sites to enable the visitor to be an active spectator. Historical quotes from early visitors to Angkor are included where appropriate to try to capture the spirit of its past glory.

Legends and symbolism are also included whenever feasible to give the visitor additional background for a better appreciation of Angkor.

Angkor Wat

VISITING THE MONUMENTS

It is based on the amount of time the visitor has to spend at Angkor and take into consideration the roads, proximity of the temples, and favorable light conditions.

For some temples it is important to begin at the principal entrance to perceive the space and decoration as the builder intended, and entrances are indicated in the text. The monuments are oriented according to the four points of a compass which can be used as a point of reference. the temple of Angkor Wat is covered in detail in this book because of its importance, complexity and size.

Angkor Temple Map

Angkor provides wonderful photographic opportunities. the monuments and the surrounding jungle afford unlimited textural and lighting opportunities for composing a picture.

Clouds are common and tend to diffuse the light which is somewhat flat even though it is intense. As most of the temples face east the best lighting conditions are in the morning except for Angkor Wat where the best light is in the afternoon because it faces west. the temples surrounded by jungle such as Ta Prohm and Preah Khan can be photographed with good results when the sun is directly overhead and shining through the foliage. Just as one is never prepared for the enormous size and overwhelming beauty of Angkor, one is never ready to leave it. With photographs and visions etched in memory, one need never say good-by to Angkor, for its magic will go with you wherever fate and the gods may take you to colour your thoughts and dreams to life's very end. The name of the monuments at Angkor are often modern ones designated by Cambodians or early European travellers. In publications by the French the enclosures of a temple are numbered starting from the central sanctuary and progressing towards the enclosing walls. The system used in this book reverses the order for the convenience of the visitor. Thus the first enclosing wall the visitor encounters when entering a temple is number one. the numbers ascend from the exterior to the interior of the monument. In many distances, though, only traces of the enclosing walls, particularly the outer one, remain.

ADMISSION FEES TO ANGKOR WAT

You must possess an admission pass (an 'Angkor Pass') to visit the temples and sites in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Passes may be purchased at the main entrance on the road to Angkor Wat. 

Passes are sold in one-day ($37), three-day ($62) and seven-day ($72) blocks that must be used on consecutive days. Photo taken on the spot with free of charge is required at time of purchase.

Visiting hours are 5:00AM - 6:00PM. Angkor Wat closes at 6:00PM, Banteay Srey closes at 5:00PM and Kbal Spean at 3:00PM. Always carry your ticket. It will be checked upon each park entry and at major temples. There is a significant fine for not possessing a valid ticket inside the park. A regular admission ticket is not required to visit Phnom Kulen, Koh Ker or Beng Melea, but there is a separate entrance fee of $20, $10 and $5, respectively.

Angkor Wat
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Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat was built in the first half of the 12th century (113-5BC). Estimated construction...

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Ak Yum
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Ak Yum

Prasat Ak Yum is located Southern end of the West Baray, built in the 7th to 9th century and...

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Angkor Thom
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Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom is undeniably an expression of the highest genius. It is, in three dimensions and...

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Bakheng Mountain
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Bakheng Mountain

Phnom Bakheng is located 1,30 meters (4,265 feet) north of Angkor Wat and 400 meters (1,312...

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Bakong
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Bakong

Bakong is located at Roluos south of Preah Ko. Enter and leave the temple at the east. A...

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Baksei Chamkrong
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Baksei Chamkrong

This little temple with its four square tiers of laterite, crowned by a brick sanctuary, might...

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Banteay Srei
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Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei is an exquisite miniature; a fairy palace in the heart of an immense and...

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Banteay Kdei
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Banteay Kdei

Banteay Kdei is located south of Ta Prohm. A enter the monument from the west and leave at the...

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Banteay Samre
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Banteay Samre

Banteay Samre is located 400 meters (1,312 miles) east of the East Baray. It can be accessed...

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Baphuon
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Baphuon

Prasat Baphuon is located 200 metres (656 feet) northwest of the Bayon and south of...

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Bayon Temple
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Bayon Temple

Prasat Bayon is located in the center of the city of Angkor Thom 1500 meters (4921 feet) from...

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Beng Mealea
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Beng Mealea

Prasat Beng Mealea was built by king Suryavarman II, early 12th century by primary deity to...

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Chau Say Tevoda
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Chau Say Tevoda

Chau Say Tevoda is located in east of the Gate of Victory of Angkor Thom, across the road...

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East Mebon
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East Mebon

The East Mebon is 500metre (1,640feet) north of Pre Rup. A enter and leave the temple from the...

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Kravan
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Kravan

Prasat Krawan is located in the east of Angkor Wat and south of Banteay Kdei. A enter and...

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Krol Ko
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Krol Ko

Prasat Krol Ko is located in the northwest of Neak Pean, 100 meters from the road. A enter and...

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Lo Lei
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Lo Lei

Prasat Lolei is at Roluos, north of Bakong. A modern Buddhist temple is located in the grounds...

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Neak Pean
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Neak Pean

Neak Pean is one of the temples that make one dream of the olden days of luxury and beauty. It...

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Phimean Akas
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Phimean Akas

Phimeanakas is located inside the enclosure of the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom north of...

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Phnom Krom
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Phnom Krom

Prasat Phnom Krom is approximately 12 kilometers (7 .4 miles) southwest of Siem Reap near the...

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Pre Rub
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Pre Rub

Pre Rup is located at northeast of Srah Srang and 500 meters (1,640 feet) south of the south...

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Preah Khan
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Preah Khan

Preah Khan temple is located 2 kilometers north-east of Angkor Thom on the Grand Circuit. The...

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Preah Ko
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Preah Ko

Prasat Prah Ko is located at Roluos between Bakong and Lolei; it is mid-way between Bakong and...

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Preah Palilay
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Preah Palilay

Preah Palilay is located at North of Phimeanakas and enter and leave the monument from the...

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Preah Pithu
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Preah Pithu

Preah Pithu is located north-east of the Terrace of the Leper King, it can be accessed by...

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Roluos Group
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Roluos Group

Three temples Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko 11 Kilometers (6.8 miles) southeast of the Siem Reap...

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Sour Prat
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Sour Prat

Sour Prat temple is located at the beginning of the road leading to the Victory Gate, in front...

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Spean Thmar
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Spean Thmar

Spean Thmar is located 200 meters (656 feet) east of Thommanon. It can be accessed by walk to...

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Srah Srang
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Srah Srang

Srah Srang is located across the road from the east entrance of Banteay Kdei. A enter and...

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Ta Keo
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Ta Keo

Ta Keo is locate in the east of Thommanon and ChauSay Tevoda. A enter and leave by the south...

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Ta Prohm - Jungle Temple
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Ta Prohm - Jungle Temple

Ta Prohm is locating southwest of the East Mebon and east of Angkor Thom. Its outer enclosure...

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Ta Som
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Ta Som

Prasat Ta Som located in the east of Nean Pean. The entry and exit to Ta Som can only be...

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Tep Pranam
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Tep Pranam

Tep Pranam is located 100 meters (328 feet) north of the Terrace of the Leper King. It can be...

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Terrace of Elephants
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Terrace of Elephants

Terrace of the elephants is located in the Royal Square of Angkor Thom. Accessible entry from...

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Terrace of Leper King
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Terrace of Leper King

Terrace of the Leper King is located immediately north of the Terrace of the Elephants and it...

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Thommanon
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Thommanon

Thommanon temple is about 500 meters east of the Victory Gate. A temple dedicated to...

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West Baray
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West Baray

West Baray is the largest man-made body of water at Angkor. Visitors can hire a boat to take...

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West Mebon
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West Mebon

Prasat West Mebon is located four kilometres (2.4miles) west of Angkor Thom. The south dyke of...

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Chapel of the Hospital
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Chapel of the Hospital

The chapel of the hospital is west of Ta Keo temple and Spean Thma, on the west side of the...

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Kbal Spean
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Kbal Spean

Kbal Spean lies 50 kilometers northeast of Siem Reap pro-vincial town or about 18 kilometers...

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Phnom Kulen
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Phnom Kulen

Phnom Kulen is in Svay Leu and Varin districts, about 60 kilometers from Siem Reap provincial...

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