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SIEM REAP, HOME OF ANGKOR
The Angkor Civilization
During the Angkor period, Cambodia was the
largest, most powerful and prosperous nation
in the Southeast Asia region. The Khmer
civilization had reached it peak during the
9th - 13th century AD.
Evidence of its glory is can be found in the
area of land covered by the Khmer Empire,
which dominated almost the entirety of
Indochina to the Myanmar border in the west.
Thousands of Prasats (temples or monuments)
were build and decorated with beautiful and
priceless ancient sculpture, stunning
architecture, and countless stone-inscriptions
written in both Khmer and Sanskrit. Other
antique items that can be found in the region
include infrastructure such as Baray (ancient
water reservoirs), irrigation systems, ancient
highways and bridges.
All of these achievements were constructed
over 800 years ago, during the peak of the
Angkor Civilization.
The Angkor Wat Temple
Angkor Wat is the largest and greatest
stone-structure temple in the world and took
more than 30 years to build. There were 4,000
elephants and some 380,000 men are believed to
have contributed their labor to this
world-class project. Sandstone, the main
material for the construction was transported
by elephant from Kulen Mountain, some 47km
away from the site.
The great temple of Angkor Wat is remarkable,
not only because of its splendid architectural
arrangement, but also because of the perfect
subordination of the carving to the
composition of the whole: the decoration is
treated, nearly everywhere, as embellishment
which should not hold the eye. As a result,
the variety and intensity of the shadows do
not break the unity of the simple walls, yet
there is ornamentation everywhere - even in
the least visible corners.
Angkor Wat is the masterpiece of King
Suryavarman-II's crown, and is dedicated to
Hinduism. It is believed to have also served
as a tomb for the King Suryavarman-II (12th
century AD).
Angkor Thom City
Nearby, Angkor Thom was once one of the
most modern cities in the world. At one time
it was populated by nearly 1,000,000 (one
million) in habitants. Compare this to 30,000
people in London at around the same time (late
12th century AD). In fact, Angkor was the
capital of a self-sufficient nation rich in
natural resources and with unique construction
techniques. Due to the extensive and ingenious
irrigation system, Angkor was able to harvest
rice 3-4 times during a calendar year. Rice
yields reached 150,000 metric tons within an
area of 1000 sq.km; sufficient to feed 800,000
inhabitants, while still leaving 40 percent to
supply other areas throughout the kingdom. It
is this rice cultivation that supported the
Angkor Civilization.
PHNOM PENH, The capital city
The capital city Phnom Penh has
been the capital of Cambodia for 567 years. It
was renowned as the Paris of the orient by the
outside world during the 1960s due to its
charm and glorious architecture. Located on
the west bank of Chatomuk River, Risht in the
conjunction of the upper Mekong, Tonle Sap
river, which reverses its current twice
yearly, Phom Penh remains attractive to
visitors from countries around the world. It
serves as the center of economy, culture,
politics and society of Cambodia.
This bustling Asian city is populated by
approximately 1.5 million inhabitants. Without
skyscrapers to disturb its scale, Phnom Penh
is renowned for its traditional Khmer and
French colonial architecture, colorful
clay-tile roofs, its Royal Palace, pagodas,
monuments and the fascinating river front,
Phnom Penh is a unique, exciting and
pleasurable destination. Since the city
Government has implement numerous
beautification projects, the number of
visitors has increased every year.
Wat Phnom
Is where Phnom Penh begun. A famous laywoman
called Daun Penh built a small Wat on top of a
hill (the hill also built by her) to house the
sacred Buddha statues that were found inside
the trunk-hole of a floating Koki (teak) tree.
The teak was used to build the delightful
little temple to store these religious relics.
The name referred to the founder of this place
and it was originally called Phnom Daun Penh,
and was later shortened to Phnom Penh. Behind
the pagoda is a huge ancient stupa(tomb) that
contains King Ponhea yat's ashes (the king who
abandoned the Angkor City in 1431 AD).
Visitors should not leave the site
without visiting a memorial that recalls the
returning of these territories during the
World War II. This memorial is located on the
South side at the foot of the hill. The hill
is generally covered and surrounded by the
tropical trees that represent the various
kinds found throughout the country. These have
become home to many monkeys and birds. Ask
your guide to point out the hundreds of large
flying-faxes (bats) hanging from the branches
of the trees.
Royal Palace, and Silver Pagoda
The Royal palace was built in 1866 during the
region of King Norodom, great grandfather of
our current King Norodom Sihanouk. There are
many Prasats inside the palace that have their
own special functions relating to royal and
other official ceremonies. The construction of
the temples within the compound was inspired
by traditional Khmer architecture of this
civilization. The surrounding wall has five
doors,
AROUND PHNOM PENH
Two on the east entrance and each from the
other three directions, implementing on
ancient rule of palace construction also seen
at Angkor Thom City which was built during the
Angkor period. The beautiful building next
door and to the south of the Royal Palace, is
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, known to the
English as the Silver Pagoda, due to the tiles
that cover the floor which are made of pure
silver. A total of 5,329 silver tiles,
weighting 1,125 kilograms each adorn the floor
of this structure. The temple does not serve
as a Buddhist Monastery, but is primarily used
to display the national treasure, most of
which are gifts from the Royal Family and
souvenirs from various countries that were
once presented as gifts to the king of
Cambodia. There are a number of mostly
Cambodian treasures on display and the entire
building is surrounded by the high galleries
that are covered by tile-roofs. On the wall of
the galleries there are mural paintings
illustrating the Ramayana legend from the
beginning to the end. This painting was done
around 1903-1904 by famous Khmer artists.
Raung Domrel Museum
Next to the outer of painting galleries, there
is the Rung Dorei Museum where visitors can
enjoy studying some Khmer customs and
tradition lifestyles. Among the items
displayed are artifact from Khmer households,
a model of a typical Khmer house, silk
weaving samples, traditional costumes, a
cultural photo exhibition, utensils, silver
crafts, and common farming tool etc.
Independence Monument
A single tower of Angkorian style, standing on
the heart of the capital. The independence
from France on the 9th November 1953. It from
all other structures in the city. The
independence Monument's nighttime lighting
gives it a magical aura that is striking to
see and is worth photographing.
National Museum
Built in 1920, today this museum stores and
displays more than 5,000 Khmer art objects
conserved from Angkor era and post- Angkorian
art produced until the late colonial era. The
artifacts are made of sandstone, bronze,
silver, copper, wood, pottery and other art
materials. Beside this purpose, the museum is
also home to more than two million tomb bats
living between the roof and the ceiling. They
swarm into the sky startling those unfamiliar
as its looks exactly like smoke from a steel
factory.
OUDONG
(former capital of Cambodia)
Before Phnom Penh was permanently settled as
the capital of Cambodia, Oudong served as the
capital city almost century. Most of the rest
hills were topped by ancient stupas, which
were believed store the ash of the king and
royal family. The number of visitors to the
recent construction of a huge new stupa
(Buddhist mausoleum), which has just been
completed. The Grand stupa where Buddha’s
teeth (a religious relic) will be moved here
soon from Phnom Penh, where it is currently
kept.
The new stupa is a beautiful attraction, its
design based on traditional Khmer architecture
and adorned with authentically reproduced
Angkorian decoration. On the other side of the
hill, is the Vipassana Meditation Center.
Konpong Louang
(Silver Craft Village)
Not far south of Oudong, and situated between
National Road No.5 and the Tonle Sap River,
this village is famous for its handcrafted
products of pure silver. Virtually the entire
population of this village is craftsmen, the
silver items from this village are distributed
to both local and foreign markets.
TOURISM IN OTHER PROVINCES
It is considered that almost all of the
Cambodia’s provinces are attractive to foreign
visitors for a variety of reasons including
the lifestyle, culture, customs, the access to
natural habitat etc. found in these places.
Some provinces below are recommended for those
who intend to learn more about Cambodian
culture, lifestyle, civil society and history.
Shihanoukville and Koh Kong
Sihanoukville is the only shipping port in the
kingdom. Koh Kong is another province that
borders the sea, but facing Thailand to the
West. Both are rich in seafood and offer the
visitor warm tropical beaches, pristine and
tranquil water-perfect for sunbathing and
relaxing after a cross-country tour. It’s
really and unspoiled world and ideal for
enjoying nature and a swim. A trip offshore to
one of the nearby islands is suggested for
those who wish to escape to and enjoy a
private island for a few days.
Takeo
Southern Cambodia, about 77km from Phnom Penh.
Highlights of some things to see: Historic
sites of earliest Cambodian history and also
the Angkor era, including Tonle Bati Temples,
Prsat Neang Khmau, Chiso Phnom’s hilltop
temple ruins, Phnom Da, Angkor Bori, Phnom
Baong.
Kanong Thom
Located 167km Northwest of Phnom Penh on
national route No.6. Among the most
interesting places to see here are a group of
7th Century AD temples, which used
to be the capital of the Khmer Empire before
Angkor City. Many other day brick temples are
scattered throughout the province including
Angkorian-era temples such s Kuha Nokor and
Rokar. One cam also observes craftsmen create
sculptures of sandstone at the foothills of
Santuk Mountain. If there is sufficient time,
we suggest a climb up to see this historic
site where you can behold ancient giant
studies of reclining Buddha.
It is also worth noting that Kampong Thom was
the home province of Pol Pot, who came to be
known as Brother Number 1, as the infamous
leader of the Khmer Rouge. He was responsible
for the killing Fields and the extermination
of millions of educated or intellectual
Cambodian citizens between 1975 and 1979. Ask
to visit his home village if you are
interested.
Kampong Cham
It is located on the bank of the Mekong River
at a distance of 124 km from Phnom Penh on
national route No.6 and 7. Kampong Cham
province has the largest population and rich
red soil which presents a great opportunity
for farmers of various tropical crops and
rubber plantations. Highlights: 12th
century AD Angkor Bachey Temple, hnom Pros
Phnom Srey, han Chey (pre-Angkorian temple), a
city tour plus visits to a weaving and rubber
plantations.
Kampong Chhnang
90 km Phnom Penh on national route No.5 and
located near the mouth of the Tonle Sap River
where the richest fish-producing lake in the
world begins, Great Tonle Sap Lake. As a
result, Kampong Chhnang is one of the largest
fish producers. The name means “day-pot port”,
because it is famous in pottery art also.
Highlights: town market, floating villages,
pottery village crocodile farm and the
monastery of the province.
Battambang
Battambong is the Western-most province of
Cambodia, famous in rice plantations and
tropical fruits. More than just a natural
resource, the province is reputed for ancient
temples as well.
Highlights: Prahok Market, old style
monasteries, antique museum, Angkorian-style
temples such as Ek Phnom, Baset and Banan
temples, Phnom sampeou , agriculture dam of
Kamping Puoy and many remote, interesting
natural sites such as water falls and other
natural habitat.
Banteay Mean Chey
Bordering Thailand, Banteay Mean Chey is a
new province that was only recently created
from parts of Battambang and Siem Reap
provinces. Beside its importance as busy
border check-point, a community of skilled
stone sculptors who ply their craft here
attract visitors as do the great ancient
temples such as Banteay Chhmar and many
others.
Rattanakiri , Mondulkiri and Stung Treng
All Northeast provinces of Cambodia are
popular among travelers interested in eco –
tourism and natural beauty. Other highlights
for tourists in these provinces:hill tribes ,a
gamete stone mine and beautiful waterfalls.
Kratie
This Mekong province of Cambodia is rich in
forestry and fishery products .However, many
historic sites exist in this province ,
including the 100-Column ancient residential
dwelling . The endangered river dolphin can
also be spotted here.
Kampot and Kep City
This charming colonial town still retains much
of its architectural style inherited during
the French Colonial era. While in kampot ,
some visitors may care to explore the bat
sanctuary inside the cave of Phnom Sarsea.
Other worthwhile sights include a saltwater
farm, waterfall, a zoo, a fruit plantation and
many others.
Also in Kampot province, the famous but
abandoned town built on the peak of Bokor is
situated 1,075 meters above sea level and,
being right next to the sea, enjoys the
loveliest climate in the region. Bokor was a
favorite haven for camping among French
personnel during their period of rule here. In
Kep City, a small flower-crab market is
fascinating sight, which we suggest you not
miss. Also, taking a boat trip to Ton say
Island is must for those who enjoy nature
exploration.
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