Angkor, The Splendor Of An Old Empire In Cambodia
Angkor is a region of Cambodia that was home to the capitals of the former Khmer Empire. From that era of splendor there were countless Hindu and Buddhist temples. A place that we cannot miss at least once in our life and that we want to show you.
Brief history of Angkor
This archaeological treasure is a few kilometers from the city of Siem Riep and is worth exploring without haste. Although Angkor Wat is the main temple, the whole complex is known by that name. A 200 km² archaeological complex that houses fantastic temples.
It is believed that in its best times it had 1000 temples. Currently only 100 are preserved. Some have been kept in good condition, others have been rebuilt and we can also see the stone columns as the only vestige of some more.
The Khmer Empire came to an abrupt end (the reason is still unknown) and the temples were left to their fate. For hundreds of years nature was in charge of hiding them and even “swallowing them”. Thus they remained, hidden in the jungle, until in 1860 a French naturist discovered them, it is said, “following a butterfly.”
How to get
To get there from Siem Reap there are many tourist services (all-inclusive buses), various means of transport (tuk tuk, motorcycle or private taxi where many times the driver is a guide as well) or we can even rent a bicycle. For those who want a different experience, they can fly over the temples by helicopter or hot air balloon.
Circuits to get to know Angkor
Depending on the time and the transport chosen, we can choose the circuit to visit Angkor Wat. There are two main ones. The shortest has 17 kilometers, concentrates the most famous and, therefore, is always more crowded with tourists. The other circuit is longer, 28 kilometers, and in some places it allows you to enjoy an indescribable feeling of solitude.
Both tours begin in the same place: the Angkor Wat temple, with its three peaks representing the Hindu triad and which is accessed by climbing a steep staircase. A curiosity, no building can be higher than this in the city.
First circuit
If you choose the short circuit, the second stop you will make will be Angkor Thom. It is a walled citadel surrounded by several gates and a large canal. Inside there are several temples. The most important is that of Bayon or “the one with a thousand faces.” Each face is said to look at a province of the ancient Khmer Empire.
The third place on the tour is Ta Prohm. It is one of the examples of how nature acts when there are no men to tame it. The walls of the temple are covered with roots. This is where Tomb Raider was filmed and this is why it is so famous.
Second circuit
To do the long circuit, it is recommended either to go by bicycle or some other means of transport because it can take all day. Start as early as possible. In it you will see all the temples in the north of Angkor Wat.
One of the most beautiful is Neak Pean, completely surrounded by water and whose access is a small bridge over a swamp. You can also meet Preah Khan, Ta Som, Pre Rup and Prasat Kravan.
Other options
If you have been wanting more, you can opt for two other circuits that are not touristy and offer the most authentic of the entire complex. The temples have not been rebuilt and are more embedded with nature.
One of them is East Baray. To travel it you must deviate east from the long circuit. You will visit the temples of Komnap, Banteay, Prasat Prei, Prasat Tor and Samre.
The other is West Baray, for which you will have to turn west from Angkor Wat. It has a temple built on an island (West Mebon) and other really beautiful ones like Ta Noreay, Prei Kmeng, Ak Yum, Trapeang Seng and Phnom Rung.
How to fully enjoy Angkor? You will need several days to enjoy all its beauties, at least 3 or 4. One possibility is to dedicate one day to the short circuit, two to the long one and one for both East Baray and West Baray. Don’t forget that the distances between the temples are long!
