Angkor temple complex. Angkor: A History and Guide to the Khmer Temples. Location of the religious center

Among the jungle South-East Asia Mysterious Cambodia is lost, striking in the contrasts between untouched nature and bustling cities with a bright color. The country is proud of its ancient temples, one of which is Angkor Wat. The huge sacred structure keeps the secrets and legends of the city of the gods and the capital of the ancient Khmer Empire.

The height of the three-level complex, made of several million tons of sandstone, reaches 65 m. On an area larger than the territory of the Vatican, there are entire galleries and terraces, magnificent towers, the facades of which began to be built and painted by hand under one emperor, and ended under another ruler. The work lasted 30 years.

The history of the creation of the Angkor Wat temple

The capital of the Khmer Empire was built over 4 centuries. Archaeologists believe that the area of the city was 200 square meters. km. Over the course of four centuries, many temples have appeared, some of which can still be seen today. Angkor Wat was built in the era when the ancient state was ruled by Suryavarman II. The king died in 1150, and the complex built in honor of God Vishnu received him as a tomb after the death of the emperor.

In the 15th century, Angkor was captured by the Thais, and the local residents, who, according to historians, numbered about a million, left the city to the south of the state and founded new capital. One legend says that the emperor ordered the son of a priest to be drowned in the lake. God became angry and sent a flood to prosperous Angkor.

Scientists still do not understand why the conquerors did not settle in the rich city if the local residents abandoned it. Another legend tells that the mythical goddess, who turned into a beauty and descended from heaven to the king, suddenly fell out of love and stopped coming to the emperor. On the days when she did not appear, Angkor suffered from misfortune.

Description of the structure

Giant temple complex amazes with its harmony and smooth lines. It was built on a sandy hill from top to bottom, from the center to the periphery. The outer courtyard of Angkor Wat is surrounded by a wide moat filled with water. The rectangular structure measuring 1300 by 1500 m consists of three tiers, representing the natural elements - earth, air, water. On the main platform there are 5 majestic towers, each symbolizing one of the peaks of the mythical Mount Meru, the highest rises in the center. It was built as the abode of God.

The stone walls of the complex are decorated with carvings. On the first tier there are galleries with bas-reliefs in the form of ancient Khmer characters, on the second there are figures of celestial dancers. The sculptures are surprisingly combined with the architecture of the temple, in the appearance of which one can feel the influence of two cultures - Indian and Chinese.

All buildings are located symmetrically. Despite the fact that Angkor Wat is surrounded by ponds, the area is never flooded even during the rainy season. A road leads to the main entrance to the complex, located in the western part, on both sides of which there are sculptures of snakes with seven heads. Each gate tower corresponds to a specific part of the world. There is a statue of Vishnu under the southern gopura.

All the structures of the temple complex are made of very smooth, as if polished stones, tightly fitted to each other. And although the Khmers did not use mortar, no cracks or seams are visible. No matter from which side a person approaches the temple to admire its beauty and grandeur, he will never see all 5 towers, but only three of them. Such Interesting Facts they say that the complex, built in the 12th century, is an architectural masterpiece.

The columns and roof of the temple are decorated with carvings, and the walls are decorated with bas-relief. Each tower is shaped like a beautiful lotus bud, the height of the main one reaches 65 m. All these structures are connected by corridors, and from the galleries of one level you can get to the second, and then to the third.

At the entrance to the first tier there are 3 towers. It contains panels with pictures from the ancient epic, the total length of which is close to a kilometer. To admire the bas-reliefs, you need to pass through a series of majestic columns. The ceiling of the tier is striking with carvings made in the form of a lotus.

The towers of the second level are connected by corridors to those located on the first tier. The space's patios were once filled with rainwater and served as swimming pools. The central staircase leads to the third tier, divided into 4 squares and located at a height of 25 meters.

The complex was not built for ordinary believers, but was intended for the religious elite. Kings were buried in it. The origin of the temple is interestingly told in the legend. The Khmer prince managed to visit Indra. The beauty of his heavenly palace with graceful towers amazed the young man. And God decided to give Preah Ket the same, but on earth.

Opening to world culture

After the inhabitants left Angkor, Buddhist monks settled in the temple. And although a Portuguese missionary visited it in the 16th century, Henri Muo told the world about the wonder of the world. Seeing the towers in the jungle, a traveler from France was so amazed by the magnificence of the complex that he described the beauty of Angkor Wat in his report. In the 19th century, tourists traveled to Cambodia.

During difficult times, when the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot ruled the country, the temples became inaccessible to scientists, archaeologists, and travelers. And only since 1992 the situation has changed. Money for restoration comes from different countries, but it will take more than a decade to restore the complex.

In the late nineties, an English historian expressed the opinion that the sacred temple is a projection of part of the Milky Way on earth. The placement of the structures resembles the spiral of the Draco constellation. As a result of a computer study, it was found that the temples ancient city really reflect the location of the Draco stars, which was observed more than 10 thousand years ago during the equinox, although it is precisely known when Angkor Wat was built - in the 12th century.

Scientists have hypothesized that the main complexes of the capital of the Khmer Empire were built on pre-existing structures. Modern technologies are not able to recreate the grandeur of temples, which stand on their own weight, are not held together by anything and fit perfectly.

How to get to the Angkor Wat temple complex

Where the city of Siena Reap is located can be found on the map. It is from here that the journey to the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire begins; the distance is no more than 6 km. Each tourist chooses how to get to the temple independently - by taxi or tuk-tuk. The first option will cost 5 dollars, the second 2.

You can get to Sien Reap:

by air;
by land;
on water.

Airplanes from Vietnam, Korea, and Thailand fly to the city airport. Buses run from Bangkok and the capital of Cambodia. A small boat departs from Phnom Penh on Tonle Sap Lake in the summer.

The cost of visiting the complex depends on what the tourist wants to see. Ticket prices to Angkor start at $37 per day and the route is 20 sq. km. For a week of walking around the ancient city and getting to know almost 3 dozen temples, you need to shell out $72.

There are always a lot of travelers on the territory of Angkor Wat. To take a good photo, it is better to go to the backyard and try to stay there until sunset. You can wander through the majestic towers and galleries painted with battle scenes on your own or as part of a guided tour.

A moat of water surrounding the perimeter of the complex forms an island with an area of 200 hectares. To get to it, you need to cross stone bridges leading to 2 opposite sides of the temple's step pyramid. To the western entrance, near which there are 3 towers, there is a sidewalk made of large blocks. On the right side of the sanctuary there is a huge statue of the god Vishnu. On both sides of the road there are libraries with exits to the west, north, east and south. Artificial ponds were located near the temple.

A fascinating picture of the main towers will appear before the eyes of tourists who climb to the second tier. Each of them can be approached via narrow stone bridges. The grandeur of the third level of the complex indicates the perfection and harmony of Khmer architecture.

Research carried out by scientists and archaeologists on the territory ancient capital prosperous empire, will reveal new secrets of the mysterious and majestic temple of Angkor Wat. The history of the Khmer era is being reconstructed through inscriptions on sculptures and architectural masterpieces. Many facts indicate that people lived here for a very long time, and the city of the gods was founded by the descendants of an ancient civilization.

A breathtaking sight will be revealed to travelers who decide to fly over the temple complex in a helicopter or hot air balloon. Travel companies are ready to provide such a service.

Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia, is the largest temple complex on our planet, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is located on the territory of the historical complex of Angkor, which is included in the UNESCO heritage. Such a legacy was left to us from our distant ancestors: the Khmer tribes, because this structure was built around 1113 - 1250 AD during the reign of King Suryavarman II. The construction of the temple lasted for almost 30 years, and the entire complex took almost 400 years to rebuild.

Tourists from all over the world rush to this structure, unique in its beauty and grandeur, every day to not only learn the basics of Hinduism, worship the gods, but also see with their own eyes the history of Cambodia and the Khmer peoples.

How to get there?

Before you can get to Angkor Wat, you will have to fly to Cambodia. There are no direct flights from Russian cities to Cambodia, so you can only get here with transfers.

In the city of Siem Reap, in close proximity to which the destroyed city of Angkor is located, there is an international airport that receives flights from China, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and some other Asian countries. The most popular flight is Siem Reap - Bangkok, but this flight will cost quite a large amount, so it is much cheaper to travel with two or three transfers through Vietnam or China, or fly to the capital of Cambodia, and then move on public bus or a taxi.

If you plan to fly to Siem Reap city, and then stay in a hotel in the city for several days, then book a room in advance. This way you will provide yourself with a free transfer from the airport to the hotel and back.

From the capital, Phnom Penh, you can reach it by water. Such a trip is also a good excursion that allows you to get acquainted with local life and way of life. Tickets to water transport can be purchased at hotels at the reception or at travel agencies. Approximate travel time is about 6 hours.

Siem Reap city can be reached by bus. Moreover, communication here is well organized both within the country and with neighboring countries (Thailand, Vietnam). The cheapest tickets for Cambodian flights.

If you don’t want to think about how to get to the sights of Cambodia, then many travel agencies in our country offer exotic excursions both to the main historical sites of Cambodia and separately to old City Angkor. You can take a two or three day tour and not worry about anything else, enjoying your trip to a distant and mysterious Asian country.

Temple complex

Angkor temple complex- the main attraction of Cambodia - is not limited to just the Angkor Wat temple. On the gigantic area that it occupies, 208 hectares, there are still a large number of interesting historical buildings, because the ancient city of Angkor was quite large locality, which was home to more than 100,000 people. True, residential buildings have not survived to this day, because they were built from wood. The time-destroyed city is located about 5 kilometers from the main temple of Angkor Wat. There are also smaller temples that were built from tuff and sandstone: Ta Phrom, Angkor Thom, Ta Prum, Bayon, Elephant Terrace and Preah Kan.

The territory of the complex is fenced around the perimeter with a laterite wall, on the outer side of which a ditch 250 meters wide is dug, which can be crossed along a special sandstone paved path 250 meters long and 12 meters wide.

Options for excursion programs

Those who are planning an excursion route around Angkor are definitely interested in the Large and Small excursion circle. Each circuit begins with a visit to the main temple of Angkor Wat.

The Small Circle is the most common, popular, and considered classic route for visiting the Angkor temple complex, which is chosen by those who have only one day to explore this world landmark. If you look at excursion card Angkor Wat, this route is marked in green.

If you move along the Small Circle, you will see the following temples:

Angkor Thom (a complex of more than a dozen of the largest temples in the central part);

Phnom Bakheng;

Baksey Chamkrong.

The length of the Small Circle is about 17 kilometers.

The Great Circle is an excursion program with a length of 25 kilometers (the path is marked in red), which usually takes place on the second day. In this case, you will also start moving from Angkor Wat and completely repeat the route of the Small Circle to the Bayon Temple, and then head north to inspect the following buildings:

Pre Roop;

Neak Pean;

Preah Kan;

East Mebon.

After visiting them, according to guidebooks and reviews, you will again move to the Small Circle and return to the main Angkor temple. By moving in a large circle, you'll be moving between attractions rather than walking.

On the third day, the most distant temples of Angkor usually remain, and getting to them is sometimes quite problematic, especially if you have not rented transport, because many of them are located at a distance of about 50-70 kilometers from the main complex. If you have three days, then it will be most convenient to move along the routes already established among tourists.

In the case when you have more time, you can independently develop day excursion routes, change visits to temples and generally do everything as you like.

What to pay attention to

No matter how much you want, it is impossible not to see the main attraction of the complex - Angkor Wat. This temple-mountain rises above the rest of the buildings in the very center of the complex. You can recognize it by its five knobby towers. It is believed that all five peaks are always visible from any point. This is the most visited temple in Angkor. Tourists always crowd here in search of beautiful and unusual views for photos.

The second most popular building is the local Library. In front of the library there is a small pond where you can relax during the tour.

Ta Phrom is another visited and favorite place among tourists. This is a temple-monastery, which has a rather strange layout. Currently, the territory of this building is heavily overgrown, and not just with grass, but with centuries-old trees with powerful branchy trunks. For almost a hundred years, they have been trying to clear Ta Phrom of vegetation and make it more accessible to tourists, but the jungle does not want to leave this place. Everyone who has visited Ta Phrom leaves rave reviews about this romantic and seemingly abandoned temple.

Another popular object that receives praise is the Bas-relief Galleries. In the area around Angkor Wat there are eight of them (two on each side) and a separate Hall of a Thousand Buddhas. Each gallery is distinguished from the others by impressive bas-reliefs almost from floor to ceiling, which are never repeated. In the Hall of a Thousand Buddhas, as is already clear, there are bas-reliefs, statues and images of Buddha in various versions and in all sizes.

The most interesting bas-reliefs, attracting the attention of thousands of tourists and constantly gathering crowds of people around them, relate to the mystical and mysterious theme of hell and heaven on earth: Churning of the Ocean of Milk, Gallery of Hell and Heaven, Battle of the Gods, etc.

What is the price?

Since a visit to the temple complex is most often planned for several days, there are several types of entrance tickets. So, you can buy a ticket for a one-day excursion for $20.

Those who want to stay longer on the territory of Angkor purchase a ticket for a three-day excursion for $40. The ticket is valid for a week, so you can enter the temple complex not for three days in a row, but divide your visit according to a convenient schedule.

You can also buy a one-week visit to the complex for $70 (the ticket is valid for a month).

Schedule

Angkor is open to visitors daily from 05:00 to 18:00. If you want to see the sunrise, you must be inside before 05.30 o'clock, and if the sunset - before 17.30 o'clock. Tickets stop selling one hour before the official closing time. If you entered the territory of the complex, then no one will kick you out and you can walk here longer. True, staying on the territory of the complex for too long may result in a reprimand from the police or even a fine for violating the order.

If you have the opportunity, visit Angkor Wat twice: once at sunrise and once at sunset. It is in the rays of dawn and sunset that you will receive the greatest aesthetic satisfaction from what you see. You can, of course, come here at any time, but you won’t be able to say that you’ve seen everything that Angkor Wat has to offer.

The temple complex is very large, so when planning an excursion in this direction, set aside at least one day for it.

Since the temple complex is currently considered inactive, they do not adhere to strict rules regarding the dress code, but inappropriate clothing (short skirts/shorts, bare shoulders/knees) you will still not be allowed into the most main temple.

There are many monkeys living on the territory of the complex, so you should be extremely careful, because the primates steal everything that is in bad shape, especially hats, food, cameras and mobile phones.
When going on an excursion, be sure to take enough drinking water with you, since the weather in Cambodia is always hot, so everything around you gets hot and you are constantly thirsty, especially during the midday hours. Also, take something to eat if you don’t want to waste time looking for a place to eat, of which there are not many here.

If time permits, then explore Angkor not in order, but, starting with smaller temples, only at the very end get to the main temple of the complex - Angkor Wat.

Don't fall for the tricks of beggars at the entrance if you don't want to lose a lot of money. By giving a dollar to one, you will activate a chain reaction and local kids will come running to you from all corners. It’s better to say “no” right away. If you start serving and then suddenly stop and someone is left deprived, this will cause aggression.

Avoid visiting Angkor during festivals. If you believe the reviews, there are too many people here these days, including local Khmers who come here absolutely free.

Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia

Angkor temple complex – the most important attraction of Cambodia. The complex is so huge that it can rightfully be included in the list of the most majestic and grandiose buildings in Southeast Asia. Thousands of people visit the temples of Angkor every year. Angkor Wat is a place that makes it worth visiting Cambodia at least once in your life. I don’t even know what impressed us more: or the Angkor temple complex in .

Angkor Wat temple complex

To avoid confusion, it is necessary to immediately clarify that the Angkor complex is called all temples, located on a vast territory, in addition there is temple Angkor Wat, built by the ruler Suryavarman II, which can be called the pearl of Angkor or the main temple.

Angkor Wat Temple - the pearl of the Angkor temple complex

I will not describe the history of the creation of Angkor, talk about the beauty of the temples and unusual bas-reliefs, I will only share practical information, which will come in handy when planning a visit to the Angkor complex.

Before the trip, I scrupulously studied the reports of people who visited Angkor, wrote down useful information, thought about optimal route, and then tested this route in action. Today I will share this information with you. From this article you will learn:

Where is Angkor Wat and how to get there

The Angkor temple complex is located in Cambodia, near the city of Siem Reap. You will find all useful information about this city in the article:

You can get to Siem Reap by plane, bus and even by boat. If you are vacationing in or on, you can buy organized excursion to Angkor in one of the travel agencies. But it’s still better to visit the temples of Angkor on your own. About how we got to Angkor from Pattaya:

If you are vacationing in Sihanoukwel, you can get to Siem Reap by bus. If your vacation takes place in Vietnam, for example in, then the best way to get to Siem Reap is by plane from. You can, of course, take a bus, but moving from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap will take quite a lot of time: 8 hours before and the same amount to Siem Reap.

Where to live in Angkor

Of course, you cannot live in the Angkor temple complex itself :) All tourists stay in the city of Siem Reap, closest to Angkor. The question often arises, Which hotel should I choose to be closer to the temples? In fact, the location of the hotel relative to the Angkor complex is not important; in any case, the temples cannot be reached on foot. To visit Angkor, you will have to hire transport or rent bicycles (but without good physical fitness, I would not advise you to do this).

There are many hotels in the city of Siem Reap to suit every taste and budget. I can recommend a good inexpensive hotel with a swimming pool, where we stayed for almost a whole week Bou Savy Guesthouse, I talked about it in detail in photos and videos.

When is the best time to visit Angkor Wat?

1. It is better not to visit Angkor Wat during major holidays , especially during the Khmer holidays, when the entrance to the complex is for local residents make it free.

On weekends and holidays there are a lot of tourists to Angkor Wat

2. It is not very pleasant to explore the Angkor temple complex and during hot or rainy season. The hottest month in Cambodia is April; the rainy season begins in mid-May and lasts until November.

In summer, umbrellas from the rain, and at other times of the year - from the sun

3. The optimal time to visit Angkor is autumn-winter. And when you arrive in Siem Reap in November, you will still find bright tropical vegetation around and see temples hidden in the green jungle. In February, we found the Angkor complex no longer so green and nature resembled our autumn :)

Angkor landscape in February. Ta Prohm Temple

In mid-February, the morning was cloudy, and the sun appeared around lunchtime. On the one hand, in cloudy weather it is not so hot and it is more comfortable to explore the temples, but on the other hand, without the sun, all the photographs turned out gray and not bright.

Near and far temples of Angkor. Small and large circle of Angkor

The temples that are included in the standard Angkor ticket are called nearby churches, but temples that are located at a decent distance from Siem Reap are called distant temples.

Nearby temples of Angkor

Nearby temples are usually visited along two routes: small circle And Great Circle of Angkor. There are several more temples that are located on a branch from these two circles - these are the Bantaey Srei and Banteay Samre temples.

Banteay Samre Temple

What is the small and large circle of Angkor?

Small and large circles of Angkor These are two routes for visiting temples, each lasting one day. The length of the small circle is approximately 17 km. The length of the large circle is 26 km. A diagram of the location of the Angkor temples, in which the small circle is indicated by a red line, and the large circle is indicated by a green line.

Map of the location of Siem Reap and the Ankor temple complex

What temples are included in the small circle of Angkor?

Angkor Wat
Phnom Bakheng
Baksei Chamkrong
Angkor Thom: Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas and east to Victory Gate, Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King
Chau Say Tevoda
Thommanon
Ta Keo
Ta Prohm
Banteay Kdei
Prasat Kravan
Several small temples

Majestic Bayonne

Bayon Temple

Ta Keo Temple - it is currently undergoing large-scale restoration, cranes and the workers spoil the whole atmosphere

Jungle-covered Ta Prohm

What temples are included in the great circle of Angkor?

Big circle It also starts from the Angkor Wat temple and to the Bayon temple coincides with the small one, and then goes north to the northern gate of Angkor Thom and to the temples:

Preah Khan
Neak Pean
Ta Som
East Mebon
Pre Rup

Neak Pean Temple

Elephants at East Mebon Temple

Distant temples of Angkor

The furthest temple from Siem Reap is a pyramid temple Koh Ker. It is located about 120 km from the city, almost near the border with Thailand.
Another distant temple - Beng Melea) is located approximately 65 km from Siem Reap on the road to Koh Ker.

Also in Angkor you can visit:

Temples of the Roluos Group
Phnom Kulen National Park: sacred mountain with a waterfall, a river of 1000 lingas and a Buddhist temple
Tonle Sap lake with floating village

Sunrises and sunsets in Angkor

Sunrises in Angkor everyone is met near the lake in the Angkor Wat temple. There are a lot of people gathering, the earlier you arrive, the greater your chances of getting the best seats.

That's how many people want to watch the sunrise on the lake in front of Angkor!

Everyone is waiting for dawn, but it’s still not there :)))

They say that sunrises in Angkor are a magnificent sight. We did not catch beautiful sunrises; on the days of our visit to Angkor, in February, there were clouds in the sky in the morning, the sun appeared from behind the clouds only in the afternoon. On the one hand, this is good - it’s not so hot to climb the temples, but on the other hand, it’s a pity that we didn’t see all the beauty of Angkor Wat in the rays of the rising sun.

This is the only sunrise we were able to see in Angkor

The second place to meet the sun is the former royal bath Spas Srang. We tried to catch the sunrise there too, but we weren’t lucky with the sun that day either :)

It's still a little dawn, but it's already about 7 am, the sun is already high

Sunset at Angkor Basically everyone meets at Phnom Bakheng. Having heard enough about the wild crowds of people there at sunset and the difficult ascent and descent, we decided not to go.

You can also try watching the sunset from the Pre Rup or Ta Keo temples or look for other pyramid temples that you can climb and be higher than the jungle around you :)

To watch the sunset you need to climb somewhere higher. For example, at the Pre Rup Temple

Or on Ta Keo

I think that the sunset will be clearly visible from a hot air balloon ( important: You must book in advance for a hot air balloon ride at sunrise or sunset!).

We tried to watch the sunset near the Angkor Wat temple. That's what came out of it

Sunset near Angkor

Dawn in February was around 6 am and sunset around 6 pm. Due to cloudy weather, we did not see beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Angkor. Maybe you'll have better luck.

Cost of visiting Angkor

To visit nearby Angkor temples, you can buy tickets for 1, 3 and 7 days.

Ticket prices to nearby Angkor temples

Ticket price for 1 day – 37 dollars
Ticket price for 3 days is $62 (valid on any 3 days within 10 days)
The cost of a ticket to Angkor for 7 days is $72 (valid for any 7 days within a month)

Three and seven day tickets with photo. Take photos immediately when purchasing a ticket. Ticket offices for one-day tickets and multi-day tickets are different. There is a line in the morning (especially for one-day tickets), but it moves quickly.

Line at the box office at 5:15 a.m.

Queue for 3 and 7 day tickets

Visits to the following places are paid separately at other ticket offices:

The cost of visiting the Koh Ker Temple is $10.
Entrance fee to Beng Melia Temple: $5
Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre – By general tickets Angkor
Phnom Kulen – $20
Boat on Lake Tondesap – 20 dollars per person
Hot air balloon ride over Angkor – $20

Opening hours of the temple complex

All Ankor temples (except Ankor Wat itself) can be visited from 7:30 to 17:30. The box office opens at 5:00. People start entering Ankor Wat to watch the sunrise from 5:30.

People are no longer allowed into the temple grounds after 17:00 (except for Phnom Bakheng, where they watch the sunset). I read in reviews that even after 18:00 people are not kicked out of churches. I don’t know, maybe this is true in small, inconspicuous temples, but they started kicking us out of the Angkor Wat temple almost immediately after 17:30. And by 18:00 they kicked us out very persistently. I don’t understand why they won’t allow people to stay in the temples until sunset?

You can go to the main temple of Angkor Wat (to the top) from 7:40 to 17:00.

Visiting hours for all temples except Ankor Wat itself are from 7:30 to 17:30

Main tower of Angkor Wat

Cost of renting a vehicle in Angkor

Travel between the temples of Angkor by taxi, tuk-tuk, bicycle or motorbike. Yes, ride a bike into the area of the nearby temples of Angkor now allowed!

In principle, with good physical fitness, you can go around a small circle on a bicycle. But keep in mind that it is very hot in Angkor from 9 am, so you need to leave before dawn, around 5 am. Bicycles can be rented at any hotel. Cost from 2 dollars per day.

The main transport around Angkor is here and there, which can accommodate up to 4 people. By tuk-tuk you can explore almost all the temples of the complex, except for the distant Koh Ker temple and national park Phnom Kulen (there a tuk-tuk simply won’t go up the mountain). It is also better to go to Beng Melia by car, but some people also go by tuk-tuk.

You can rent a tuk-tuk either at your hotel or on the street. Don’t worry, there are so many tuk-tuks in Siem Reap that you will definitely not be left without transport :)

Our tuk-tuker :)

Cost of a tuk-tuk in Angkor

Small Circle of Angkor – 10-12 dollars
Great Circle of Angkor - $15-18
Additional for sunset or sunrise (early departure) – $5
Additionally for the Bantaey Srei and Banteay Samre temples – 5-10 dollars
Beng Melia - they told us the cost was 35 dollars, I read on Vinsky that people went there by tuk-tuk for 20 dollars

For a small circle of Angkor + sunrise (departure at 5 am from the hotel and return back to the hotel at 16:00) we paid 15 dollars.

For the big circle + Banteay Samre + early departure (we left at 5:30, were in the center of Siem Reap at 14:30) we paid 20 dollars.

We paid 7 dollars to go to the hot air balloon, then to the Angkor Wat temple and then take us to the street of bars (from 15:30 to 19:00).

Cost of a car with driver in Angkor

Small Circle of Angkor – 25 – 30 dollars
Great Circle of Angkor – 25 – 35 dollars
Beng Melia and Ko Ker - 80 - 100 dollars. Can be ordered in advance
Beng Melia – 35-40 dollars
Phnom Kulen – $40
Phnom Kulen + Banteay Srei + Banteay Samre – $50

Prices are approximate, the cost of tuk-tuks and cars with a driver increases every year. But you can bargain; it is often more convenient to hire a driver “in bulk” for 3-4 days at once, discuss the route and bargain for the price.

Another option for moving between temples is to take an organized excursion at any of the tour agencies in the city. But even if you come to Siem Rim alone, it is still more profitable to hire a tuk-tuk and explore the temples at your own pace.

For example, a tour of Angkor with a visit to four temples: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Bayon will cost $11 per person for half a day and $13 for a whole day, additional charge admission ticket.

But it is more profitable to go on a tour to the distant temples of Koh Ker and Beng Melia if you are traveling alone. The tour will cost 45 dollars. The price includes entrance fees to these two temples. Independent trip going there will cost at least 10$+5$+80$ = 95$.

Prices organized tours to the temples of Angkor and other nearby attractions

Prices for organized tours to the temples of Angkor and other nearby attractions

Important: when you negotiate with tuk-tuk and car drivers clearly state your action plan: What time do you leave the hotel, what temples do you visit, do you stop at a cafe for lunch, do you return to the hotel for breakfast after dawn, etc. and so on. Khmers are generally lazy people, so if you don’t clearly indicate which temples you want to see, they will take you to 2-3 temples and say that’s all, it’s time to go home.

But sometimes tuk-tukers are smart and can tell you in what order it is best to explore the temples, what is worth visiting, and what, given limited time, can be skipped. It’s good when a tuk-tuk drives up to one entrance to the temple and waits for you from the opposite entrance. This is especially true for long temples, so that after inspection, you don’t have to go back in the heat.

Remember what your tuk-tuk looks like, sometimes it’s not very easy to find your driver and vehicle in crowd. The right tuk-tuker will look for you and meet you at the exit of their temple, but he will only receive payment for his work after returning you to the hotel :)

Guides in Angkor

Do you need a guide in Angkor? If finances allow, then I would advise taking a guide to Angkor. We toured the complex ourselves, but beforehand I read a lot on the Internet about the temples and we had an audio guide to some of the temples. But still, I think that we missed a lot and many questions remained unclear for us.

A good guide will tell you everything, show you where to take an interesting shot, and take a photo of you against the background of the temples.

I believe that a guide is needed in Angkor (especially if you come on a long-awaited vacation, and not since we are traveling around Asia on a budget). But need a good guide. Bad things won't do any good. Here's how to choose good guide I won’t tell you 🙁 Previously, people on Vinsky shared the coordinates of guides, but the guides became impudent and raised prices, so this shop was closed. The guide Virak was once praised. I don’t know if he’s working in Angkor now, or maybe he’s already gotten so rich from Russian tourists that he’s living happily ever after :)

I would take a guide to the main temples for one day. And then she would have walked on her own.

Approximate prices for a guide in Angkor

English speaking guides – $25 – $35 per day
Russian-speaking guides – $40-60 per day

You can order a guide or transport in advance, contact us and discuss all your questions.

The Angkor temple complex is huge, do not think that you will be able to see all the temples in a few days. Yes, this is not necessary, by the end of the second day all the temples I saw merged in my head into one big stone :)

Somewhere in the temples of Angkor. On the second day, all the temples in my head merged into one big stone :)

Look at photos of temples before your trip and decide for yourself which ones you definitely want to see. The most popular temples are:

They are always crowded and you have to try hard to walk through these temples without crowds of tourists!

In addition to the main temples, I also really liked:

In small churches, crowds of people appear in influxes: they brought a group of organized tourists - noise, hubbub, inability to take proper photographs, and after 10-15 minutes the crowd subsided and you wander alone again. This is the beauty of an individual visit to the Angkor temple complex.

Determine for yourself what you want: inspect if possible more temples or simply enjoy the walk and the atmosphere of ancient Angkor.

We explored the temples of Angkor without haste: it’s better to see less, but enjoy the walk and feel the atmosphere of the ancient city

If you come to Angkor for 3 days and don’t want to bother planning a route, then the easiest way is to follow the standard route.

Angkor itinerary for 3 days

1 day. Small circle (+ sunrise or sunset)

Day 2. Big circle + optional Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre

Day 3. Distant temples of Koh Ker and Beng Melia

There are different opinions on how best to move around the small and large circles: clockwise or counterclockwise, so as to avoid interfering with crowds of tourists. We drove clockwise.

Angkor itinerary for 2 days

If you come for only 2 days, then on the first day it is quite possible to explore the main temples from the small and large circles (it is better, of course, to travel by car: it will be faster and you will rest under air conditioning while traveling), and on the second day - distant temples.

If you want to visit Phnom Kulen, you can combine it with Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre temples. When visiting Phnom Kulen, you should take into account that on the way to Mt. reverse movement. Until 13:00 all transport goes up, and after 13:00 - back down. Those. You can’t come to Phnom Kulen after lunch!

When is the best time to go to visit temples?

I believe that to explore the temples of Angkor you need to leave the hotel as soon as possible. As much as I like to sleep and getting up at 5-6 in the morning is a huge stress for me, but I advise you to move yourself and leave to explore Angkor as early as possible.

Why? Firstly, in order to have time to see at least one of the main temples before groups of organized tourists arrive to it, and secondly, after 10 am it becomes so hot that visiting the temples becomes very difficult.

This is the crowd at Bayon Temple already at 8 am

How to plan your day in Angkor?

There are different ways to plan your day in Angkor :)

Option 1. Having left early in the morning at dawn and having examined several temples, return to the hotel around 9 o'clock, have breakfast, sleep, swim in the pool, and then after lunch go further to explore.

Option 2. Leave the hotel after an early breakfast at 7-8 in the morning, return to the hotel at 12-13 for lunch and rest, and continue visiting the temples at 15:00.

Option 3. Everything is the same as in option 2, but have lunch somewhere on the territory of the temple complex and rest a little (maybe even sleep in the car or in a tuk-tuk), and not return to the hotel.

Option 4. Leave the hotel early in the morning, take with you a packed lunch and a thermos of coffee. Visit several temples, and then at 9 o’clock have breakfast somewhere on the ruins overlooking Angkor. Explore the temples before lunch, and after lunch return to the hotel to rest. This is exactly the option we acted on :)

We ordered breakfast to go at the hotel, brewed coffee in a thermos and had a great breakfast right there. ancient temple 🙂

Important: If you plan to return to the hotel for breakfast, for an afternoon rest, or into the city for lunch, agree on this option with the driver in advance. Most likely, you will have to pay some extra amount.

As I mentioned above, the most popular temples are Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm. Angkor Wat, it seems to me, is generally not really possible to explore without a crowd of people, but you can arrive at Bayon and Ta Prohm early in the morning and have time to walk around them almost completely alone.

You won't be able to see Angkor Wat without a crowd of people.

So we did this:

1 day:

Dawn near Angkor Wat
When the whole crowd ran to see Angkor Wat after dawn, we went to Bayon
From Bayon we walked to the temples of Bapuon and Pimeanakas, where we had breakfast
We examined the terrace of the Elephants and the Leper King and drove further along the small circle of Angkor
We visited the temples of the small circle (except Ta Prohm) and returned to Angkor Wat
We walked for two hours in the heat at Angkor Wat

In principle, I liked the route, but after the 11th day it was already hard and hot to walk, so my impressions of the Angkor Wat temple remained blurry. Perhaps, before Angkor Wat, we had to return to the hotel to rest, and by 4 pm we should have moved back to inspect it. But I knew that if I returned to the hotel, I wouldn’t want to go to any other temples that day. Still, it’s very difficult to see temples because you’re not used to it, and even in the heat :) A few photos from the first day:

Day 2:

Dawn near Srah Srang
Handsome Ta Prom
And further along the big circle with a stop at Banteay Samra
We ended the day with the Hindu temple Prasat Kravan

With this plan, we were able to explore Ta Prohm without too many crowds, but we could still go straight to it instead of waiting for the sunrise near Spas Srang, the sky was still in the clouds that day. Some photos from the second day:

I don’t remember where :)

Day 3:

After lunch we went up in a hot air balloon and walked around the Angkor Wat temple for about two hours before sunset. A few photos from day three:

Balloon over Angkor

Bas-reliefs in the Angkor Wat temple

All the most large and popular temples are located in a small circle. Therefore, it may be worth visiting the temples of the large circle on the first day, and leaving the temples of the small circle for the second day - for a snack :)

Despite the fact that the small circle is called small, you will have to walk in it and examine it more than in a big circle. In a large circle, it takes more time to travel by transport between temples, during which you can rest. In general, the small circle of Angkor is more difficult to visit than the large circle.

Angkor Wat Temple is best visited during afternoon, before lunch the sun shines directly into the lens.

Try to visit Ta Prohm and Bayon as soon as possible earlier in the morning or in the evening before sunset.

Take water with you. I'm very thirsty! Our first tuk-tuk driver supplied us with water, but the second tuk-tuk did not give us water. You can also buy water and fruits near the temples, but the price will be high.

Riding on a tuk-tuk in the winter morning Cold, you need to wear a blouse. But walking during the day is very hot.

Dress up comfortable shoes, especially if you plan to climb the stairs to the top of the temples. It is better to choose closed shoes, there is a lot of dust and sand, your feet instantly become dirty.

And yes, be prepared to climb a lot of steps. The next day my legs just fell off :)

Be be careful when going up and down the stairs of temples. There have been fatal accidents at Angkor. Now in most churches the old staircases have been closed and the rises have been equipped with new staircases with railings. But not everywhere! Be especially careful when climbing to Ta Keo!

New staircase at Baphuon Temple

Take wet wipes with you to wipe your hands. On the descents and ascents you have to hold onto the steps with your hands, and they are all covered in red dust.

It is most convenient to climb the temples in shorts or trousers, although I met many girls in long skirts. Short skirts will definitely not be comfortable :)

Do not wear white and black clothes - you will have to sit on the stones: on white, all the dirt is immediately visible, and on black, dust.

You can walk around the Angkor temple complex in any clothes, but you are not allowed into the main temple of Angkor Wat in shorts and a T-shirt! A scarf on your shoulders will not save the situation, and there is nowhere to rent clothes.

If possible, set aside five days for Siem Reap and Angkor to see everything leisurely and take breaks between days in the temples. We were in Siem Reap 6 full days, but only half of them were allocated for churches. If you are not a historian or a super lover of antiquities, then after some time all these temples will simply get mixed up in your head and you won’t really remember which of them you were in and what you saw.

Behave yourself properly. Just like in the photo below - no need to do it!

Don't mark yourself on the ancient stones of Angkor!

Rare photo together

If you liked and found my article helpful, please share it on social networks. Maybe this information will help someone else who is going to Angkor. Have a nice holiday in Cambodia!

You can subscribe to my updates and my channel youtube.com— subscription form at the bottom of the article.

The main attraction of Cambodia are the ancient temples. There are a great many temples in Cambodia, but I will write about the most interesting, majestic and beautiful, which amaze with their bas-reliefs and interesting masonry. The Angkor Temples in Cambodia are a whole complex of temples, which includes the well-known Angkor Wat temple. All these temple complexes are spread over an area of more than 210 km² and many of them are still under exploration.

Cambodia attracts attention with its originality - it is not Thailand at all, all emasculated, sleek, comfortable and touristy. I still remember the amazing feeling of crossing the Thai-Cambodian border during my trip in February 2015. Beauty, culture, smart people in uniform are almost immediately replaced by rustic simplicity, helpers, traders and a pot-bellied topless customs officer. I was impressed by the wild lands through which we drove for an endlessly long time, the free inhabitants who were able to sleep in a polyethylene hut and still enjoy life, but most of all I was struck by the temples of Cambodia.

I tried to tell about our first impressions of visiting Cambodia and Thailand in a separate article, which turned out to be moderately emotional and, I hope, interesting. For comparison, I suggest reading an article about a similar trip within Vietnam - the differences are obvious

How to get from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City on your own

These are amazing temple ensembles that even Hollywood could not ignore, having repeatedly chosen them as decorations for their films. Tourists have noticed features associated with sightseeing in Cambodia, which everyone should be aware of before planning a trip to the temples:

every temple is beautiful in different time days: some at dawn, some during the day
You can get wonderful photos at any time of the day
visiting the temple complexes of Cambodia takes a lot of time, so you should devote at least 2-3 days to this event in order to have time to visit the most decent places. These days you can find a hotel in the nearby town of Siem Reap.

About how to find cheap housing abroad when independent travel read the article, in addition, I suggest using the hotel card to select suitable place for the first days of your stay in Cambodia:

In addition, to explore the entire Angkor complex, you should think about renting a vehicle, because... many temples are located at a fairly large distance from each other. Previously, I already wrote about renting the main types of transport, as well as about public transport Cambodia. However, tourists who gather to visit the temples of Cambodia are provided with an expanded option, so I will summarize here.

All types of transport in Cambodia for 2015

A bicycle is an interesting offer if you stay a few days in Siem Reap (this is the closest place to the Temples). About $2 per bike for the day.
Moped - renting mopeds ($8-10 per day) by foreigners in Siem Reap is prohibited by law. However, if you come from another city, be sure to leave your vehicle in paid parking lots.
Taxi - can be rented for one day for $30-40.
Elephant – You can ride an elephant from the gates of Angkor Thom to the Bayon Temple. Cost $10. And in Angkor Village you can not only ride an elephant, but also take a lesson from professional mahouts. The mahout will help you learn how to confidently sit on an elephant and even with him you can learn several commands for the elephant. Costs approximately $50.
Balloon - this amazing transport can be used for $11 per person (cart includes up to 30 people). You will only be able to see Angkor Wat from the air and capture it on camera. But the balloon rises only in good weather.
Minibus - The cost of renting a minibus with a driver (for 12 people) is approximately $50 per day.
Motor rickshaw (tuk-tuk) - I think the most popular transport for movement around the Angkor complex. The cost of renting a tuk-tuk varies from $10 to $20 per day.

On how to avoid getting into trouble when renting bikes or motorbikes in Cambodia, be sure to read this important article; remember, failure to follow the rules can cost you a lot of money for repairs or theft of the motorcycle. You can also read information about transport in Cambodia:

Entrance fee to the Angkor Temples:

for one day is 20$,
for 3 days – 40$ (can be visited during the week)
for a week – $60 (you can use it for a month).

Visiting hours for Cambodia's most famous temple, Angkor Wat, are from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Don’t even think about losing your main (entrance) ticket, because... On the territory of the temple complex there is its own sisuritl, whose employees will very quickly notice the absence of a ticket and issue a fine.

Angkor Wat Temple

One of the main buildings today, which is national pride and is depicted on the flag of Cambodia.

Angkor Wat was built during the reign of King Suryavarman II (1112 - 1152). During his reign, Cambodia became a great power. Ankgor Wat is amazing architectural structure, which is created without any mixtures (fastening materials), the stone blocks are adjusted so that they stick to each other very accurately. The temple was built over 89 years; the builders who participated in the construction numbered about 150 million people.

The heart of the temple is five towers - one in the center (this is the mythical Mount Meru, where all the gods and goddesses live) and four towers (temples) around it, and the whole place is in the middle of the moat (ocean), and the sun and moon revolve around the mountain . Angkor Wat can be considered the largest religious building in the world, because... it is built on faith in gods and goddesses. Therefore, it is divided into three worlds: the lower world, the world of people, and the world of gods. The vision of these worlds is visible not only in the building itself, but also in the bas-reliefs and sculptures that decorate all the walls of the temple.

Many tons of stone were used to build the temple, and the weight of one block could reach up to 500 kg, so the Khmers were helped by elephants during construction to move especially heavy blocks. During excavations and study of the area, scientists did not find the buildings of ordinary Khmer builders who built ancient structures, so a theory was put forward that these buildings were not built by people at all, but that’s another story….

Angkor Wat is surrounded by a moat, and in ancient times it was inhabited by crocodiles. The temple is well preserved compared to other buildings in Angkor, because... Buddhist monks still live here.

In 1992, along with other buildings of the city, Angkor was taken under the auspices of UNESCO. Angkor Wat Temple is the main tourist attraction in Cambodia.

There are also many beautiful temples in this complex that are also worth seeing; I’ll tell you briefly about them in:

Angkor Thom
Bayon Temple
Bapuon
Royal Corps and Pimanakas
Pre Palilay
Thep Pranam
Terrace of the Leper King
Elephant Terrace
Klings and Prasat Sor Prat
Ta Prohm Temple is the most breathtaking temple in Angkor and everyone who comes to see Cambodia should see it. It is interesting because it is abandoned and left to be torn to pieces by the jungle and the trees that permeate it.

Banteay Kdei and Sra Srang
Ta Keo
Pre Kan Temple
Pre Neck Pian
Ta Som
Preah Vihear

As you can see, there is something to see, therefore, having decided to get acquainted with ancient architecture, stock up not only with patience, but also with strength. Since you will have to walk a lot, listen even more if you hire a good guide, but you will also get plenty of impressions. All you need now is to choose the best moment to fly to Cambodia and plan a vacation, and life in this country is quite affordable, even for selective travelers. Good luck in the study of ancient buildings.

Read the continuation of the story in the following article:

And remember that you don’t have to fly to Cambodia on a direct flight, both Thailand and Vietnam are quite suitable for you, and then the journey by cheap buses will take 7-8 hours, during which you can enjoy the colors of this amazing country. Do not be afraid . You just need to take a small step.

A detailed historical excursion that will tell you about Angkor Wat - the legendary temple complex in Cambodia. Get ready, it will be interesting!

The religious building of Angkor Wat is the world's largest Hindu temple. It is considered one of the most magnificent “pearls” of Angkor, the ancient capital of the powerful Khmer Empire. While on holiday in Cambodia, independent traveler You should definitely visit this mysterious and beautiful place.

Angkor Wat: history

More than ten centuries ago, the Khmer Empire (Kambujadesha) existed on the territory of Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Its founder was King Jayavarman II (802-850), who united these lands through bloody wars.

The empire reached its peak a little later, during the reign of Suryavarman II (1113-1150). The king worshiped the Hindu god Vishnu, and Angkor Wat was built in honor. The construction of the religious building lasted more than 30 years. Not only local craftsmen worked on its creation. By order of the ruler, craftsmen were searched throughout Asia.

The main material used was sandstone, which was brought from a quarry located 40 km away. from the construction site. The stones were polished and stacked on top of each other. No mortar was used during installation.

In those distant times, rulers were considered messengers of the gods. After the death of Suryavarman II, the temple became his tomb. Since then, the history of Angkor and its main religious monument have been inextricably linked.

The construction of the temple complex undermined the country's economy. In addition, the capital was overpopulated; at that time more than 1 million people lived in it. There was a catastrophic shortage of water, and fertile lands were depleted. During the reign of Jayavarman VII (1181-1218), several uprisings occurred, as a result of which Angkor was partially destroyed.

Later, the capital was repeatedly invaded by Siamese troops. After the last invasion in 1431, Angkor finally fell into disrepair. People left the city forever. Only monks remained to live in the temples. The capital of the empire was moved to Phnom Penh. The territory of Angkor was swallowed up rainforests, and the structures became home to thousands of animals. But the city did not disappear forever.

Planning a trip? That way!
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At the beginning of the 17th century, Portuguese and Spanish travelers accidentally stumbled upon mysterious stone structures in the jungle. But for some reason, the Europeans did not attach any importance to the unusual find and soon forgot about it. With his second birth ( late XIX century) ancient Angkor owes its origins to the French traveler Henri Muo. He described the ancient city in detail and with admiration in his manuscripts. Crowds of explorers, scientists, historians, pilgrims and traders rushed to Angkor.

Photo 45 years after opening: 1906
Unfortunately, not a trace remains of the capital's former splendor. The sandstone from which the buildings were built has eroded over time due to exposure to wind, sun and water. Most of the wooden buildings were burned by vandals during periods of hostilities. Tree roots and branches grew through the walls of buildings in many places.

Thanks to the efforts of thousands of people, by the middle of the 20th century, many buildings in the city, including Angkor Wat, were restored. After graduation civil war, the restoration of the temple complex was carried out mainly by Indian specialists. Since 1992, the unique creation of Khmer masters has been protected by UNESCO.

Photo 45 years after opening: 1906
Structure and architecture of Angkor Wat

The temple is located in the very center of the ancient city. Angkor Wat measures 1.3 km from north to south and 1.5 km from west to east. Religious building of rectangular shape. It consists of three levels (tiers), which increase in height towards the center. In appearance it somewhat resembles a pyramid. The levels represent three elements: air, earth and water. The territory of the complex is surrounded by lush greenery and is reliably protected on all sides by a moat with water. The width of the moat is more than 100 m. A stone bridge is laid across it, connecting the rectangular “island” with land. Further the road leads to the main entrance. The central gate and the front side of the structure are oriented to the west. There is also a road to the eastern side of Angkor Wat, but it is less noticeable and can be found by using the services of a guide.

You have to walk around the entire temple territory; transport is prohibited here.

Angkor Wat is located in such a way that when looking at it from any direction, only three of the five towers are always visible. This proves the skill of the architects of that time. The towers and tiers are connected by staircases, intersecting galleries, and covered walkways. The internal space thus formed is divided into numerous square-shaped courtyards.

The walls of galleries and corridors, columns and stairs are covered with bas-reliefs, carvings and paintings. The ceilings are decorated with lotus images and intricate patterns. On the territory of the complex, many statues of strange animals, mythical heroes and real historical characters have been preserved.

The first tier is the largest and consists of several galleries and passages. The walls are decorated with numerous images. There are 8 panels here, total length which are more than 800 m. The main “plots” are the battles of the gods, the period of the reign of the great Suryavarman II and numerous battles for the power of the empire. Several panels are dedicated to scenes from the epics “Mahabharata” and “Ramayana”. The outer wall is made in the form of a double row of columns.

At the end of each gallery there are corner pavilions. Two pavilions are connected to the main galleries. Two more end in shallow niches in the wall. At one time these recesses were also decorated with bas-reliefs, but over time they have faded and are barely noticeable.

The gate towers of the main entrance are connected to the towers of the second tier using transitions. Between them are four courtyards, which are filled with water during the rainy season and serve as swimming pools. The interior walls of the galleries are made in the form of columns, through which the courtyard-pools are visible. On the opposite walls, between windows with figuratively carved columns, figures of thousands of celestial dancers (apsaras) are carved. There are many statues in the long corridors.

At the intersection of the galleries (from north to south) there are corner columns with inscriptions in an unknown language. On both sides of the second tier there are libraries, each of which has four entrances.

In the very “heart” of the third tier there is a central tower (65 m). This is the tallest building in the complex. It personifies the mythical Mount Meru - the home of the supreme Khmer gods. Around it there are smaller towers around the perimeter. Their tops look like a lotus bud - a symbol of purity and enlightenment. Figures of devatas (demigoddesses) decorate the walls of the third tier.

From here it opens extraordinary beauty view of the surrounding area. Since 2010, in order to preserve the monument, changes have been made to the rules for visiting Angkor Wat. No more than 100 people are allowed into the upper tier of the temple at a time. During all Buddhist holidays, the upper galleries are closed to visitors. There are also restrictions on clothing: shoulders and knees must be covered.

Watching sunrise and sunset on the territory of Angkor Wat is very popular among tourists. Bathed in the sun, Angkor Wat looks especially majestic.

Most routes begin and end at the temple. To visit and explore the complex you need to allocate at least 6-8 hours. Other attractions of Angkor are no less popular among tourists.

And finally, look interesting film about this grandiose building!

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