CAMBODIA - Siem Reap

13:45 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park which attracts tourist from worldwide. Angkor Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992. It covers a vast area of 400 square kilometres and contains the remains of several ancient capitals of the Khmer Empire from 9th to 15th century.

First, I entered through the gate of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom is the most enduring capital of Khmer Empire. The city was built in Bayon style. Giants figures carrying naga was at both side of the entrance tower.



Smiling Budhha face on top of the gate.


Angkor, also known as the Lost City, was discovered in 1860 spread across a 64km site surrounding the modern village of Siem Reap.





The temples range from a single brick tower to vast stone complexes such as Angkor Watt.







At the center of the city is the Bayon, a beautiful Khmer temple.





Entering the ruins of Bayon.


Our tour guide told us that this is the most well preserved goddess statue in Bayon.


Multitude giant stone faces is the most distinctive feature of Bayon.



Coming out from the other side of Bayon.


The Terrace of Elephants.





Phnom Bakheng is the first temple mountain constructed in Angkor.


The stone steps are very high and steep as evident in this photo.


At last, we arrived at Angkor Wat which means “City of Temples”. It is surrounded by a moth that is 190m wide.




It was first built by the Khmer King Suryavaman II in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple which later converted into a Buddhist temple.


The temple represents Mount Meru, home of gods in Hindu mythology.


The central structure consists three galleries and a central tower, each level higher than the last.


Carvings on the gallery wall.


Tourists climbing up the very steep stairways of the central tower.


You literally ‘climb’ up the steps. Ladies, don’t wear skirt if you intend to climb up the steps of Angkor Wat.


This is the view from the top of central tower.


Central courtyard of Angkor Wat.




After visiting Angkor Wat, I decided to make a little de-tour to Ta Phrom. You may recognise a few scenes from Tomb Raider is shot here.


Roots intertwined with the stone temple which makes a unique and breath-taking view.


Ta Phrom's location in the lush jungle gives it a mysterious aura.


Strangler fig trees.


The famous doorway of Ta Phrom – it is one of the most photographed spot in Ta Phrom. Large section of the temple is unstable. Most people just follow wooden walkways that the authorities constructed.


Restoration works was on-going at Ta Phrom.


At night, we took a tuk-tuk ride and went to Pub Street in Siem Reap.


You can get cheap local beers and enjoy nightlife here.


Time to fly back to Malaysia.


Cambodia is a destination to go while in South East Asia. Two thumbs up!