The TEMPLES of ANGKOR WAT - Preparation

Before you go:

Here are a few simple suggestions which may help you prepare yourself to ensure you get maximum pleasure and enjoyment from your visit to this famous ancient site. Wear light, cotton clothing which will protect you both from the sun and mosquitoes. A hat, sunglasses, sunblock and mosquitoe repellent are recommended, together with a light raincape or umbrella if you are visiting during the wet season. Wear practical and comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven surfaces and climbing narrow stairs.

Entry Fees:

Tickets to the Angkor Archaeological Park are available at the main entrance to the temple complex or can be arranged for you by your hotel. Passes are available for one ($20), two ($40) and seven ($60) days depending upon how much time you have available, your level of interest and, of course, your budget. The complex is open daily from 5.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., as many visitors want to enjoy either or both the beautiful sunrise and sunsets over the complex. Security at the site is a priority so you must carry your ticket with you at all times should you be asked to produce it.

Transportation and Guides:

Most of the temples are located between 6 and 25 kms outside the town and are too far apart to reach by foot by all but the most hardy traveler. Most people opt to hire a bicycle for the day ($2-3), a motorcycle taxi* ($6-8), a 2-person motorcycle trailer ($8-12) or a car taxi ($20-25). Again, any of these options can be arranged for you by your hotel or any of the travel agents in town.

* Some moto drivers will agree to take 2 people on 1 bike

To gain the most from your visit to the temples, you do need to have some sort of information to get around in order to appreciate the background of the temples and monuments you will see. A guided tour is often the best way to see the complex because the hassle of arranging transport is taken out of the equation and you will have a local expert to guide you throughout the day. If you prefer to be independent, you can arrange a private guide through your hotel for around $20-25 per day. If you plan to see the temples alone, do take a guidebook of some kind and try to do some reading prior to your visit – you don’t want to spend your entire day at Angkor with your nose stuck in the guidebook. There are many books available but “Angkor – an introduction to the Temples” by Dawn Rooney is generally accepted as the best.

The Temples:

If your time is limited and you can only see one or two temples, these must surely be the legendary ruins of Angkor Wat and the giant faces of the Bayon. Together they best encapsulate the unique and spectacular aspects of Angkorian art and architechure. Angkor Wat is best viewed in the afternoon, due to the movement of the sun, so keep this in mind when arranging your itinerary. This also allows you to stay on to see the spectacular sunset over the temple before the complex closes at 6.30 p.m.

There are dozens of temples within the complex so, if you have more time and a higher level of interest, the options are almost limitless. Some of the most popular temples include Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei and Ta Som where you can see and photograph ancient trees and their roots growing up and through the ruins. An artist’s or photographer’s favourites are bound to be the giant carved faces of the Bayon, the gates of Angkor Thom, Preah Khan, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei and Ta Som. Significant artistry can be found in Angkor Wat, Banteay Srey, Bayon, Bakong and the Terrace of the Leper King. But the star of the show is Angkor Wat, for sunrise or sunset or at any time when you can wonder quietly and absorb the history, romance and artistry of this magnificent sight of the ancient world.

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