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 temples of Angkor in Cambodia are a whole complex of temples, which includes the well-known temple of Angkor Wat. All of 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 - this is not Thailand at all, all emasculated, sleek, comfortable and touristy. I still remember the amazing feeling of crossing the Thai-Cambodian border during the February 2015 trip. Beauty, culture, fit people in uniform are almost immediately replaced by rustic simplicity, helpers, shopkeepers and a pot-bellied topless customs officer. I was impressed by the wild lands, through which they traveled for an infinitely long time, free residents, able to sleep in a hut made of polyethylene and at the same time enjoy life, but most of all they were struck by the temples of Cambodia.

I tried to tell about our first impressions of visiting Cambodia, 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 inside Vietnam - there are differences

• How to get from Fukuoka to Ho Chi Minh City on your own

These are amazing temple ensembles that even Hollywood, which has repeatedly chosen them as scenery for its films, could not get around. Tourists have noticed features associated with sightseeing in Cambodia, which everyone should know about before planning a trip to the temples:

• every temple is beautiful different time days: some at dawn, some in the afternoon
• You can take great pictures 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 worthy places. These days you can find a hotel in the nearby town of Siem Reap.

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

In addition, to inspect the entire Angkor complex, you should think about renting a transport, because. many temples are at a fairly large distance from each other. Earlier I already wrote about the rental of the main modes of transport, as well as about public transport Cambodia. However, tourists who have gathered to inspect the temples of Cambodia are provided with an expanded version, so I will summarize here.

All modes of transport in Cambodia in 2015

• A bicycle is an interesting proposition if you stay a few days in Siem Reap (this is the closest place to the Temples). Approximately $2 per bike per day.
• Moped - renting mopeds ($8-10 per day) by foreigners in Siem Reap is prohibited by law. However, if you come from another city, then be sure to leave the transport 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 Bayon Temple. The cost is $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 to sit confidently on the elephant and even with him you can learn a few commands for the elephant. Costs approximately $50.
• Balloon - This amazing vehicle can be used for $11 per person (cart includes up to 30 people). It will be possible to see only Angkor Wat from the air and capture it on the 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 moving around the territory of the Angkor complex. The cost of renting a tuk-tuk varies from $10 to $20 per day.

About how not to get into trouble when renting bikes or motorbikes in Cambodia, be sure to read an important article, remember that failure to follow the rules can cost you a lot of money for repairs or theft of a motorcycle. You can also read information about transport in Cambodia:

Entrance ticket price to the territory of the temples of Angkor:

• for one day is $20,
• for 3 days - $ 40 (you can visit during the week)
• per week - $ 60 (it can be used within a month).

Visiting hours of the most famous temple of Cambodia - Angkor Wat from 5 am to 6 pm. Do not try to lose the 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 at the moment, which is a national pride and is depicted on the flag of Cambodia.

The temple of Angkor Wat was built during the reign of King Suryavarman II (1112 - 1152). During his reign, Cambodia became a great power. Anggor Wat is an amazing architectural structure, which is created without any mixtures (bonding materials), the stone blocks are fitted so that they stick on top of each other very precisely. The temple was built in 89 years, the builders who participated in the construction, there are 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 this whole place is in the middle of the moat (ocean), and the sun and moon revolve around the mountain . Angkor Wat can be recognized as the largest religious building in the world, because. it is built on belief in gods and goddesses. Therefore, it is divided into three worlds: the lower world, the world of people, and the world of the gods. The vision of these worlds is visible not only in the building itself, but also on the bas-reliefs and sculptures that adorn all the walls of the temple.

A lot of tons of stone were used to build the temple, and the weight of one block could reach up to 500 kg. Therefore, elephants helped the Khmers during construction to move especially heavy blocks. When excavating and studying 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 was inhabited by crocodiles in ancient times. The temple is well preserved in comparison with other buildings of Angkor, because. Buddhist monks still live here.

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

There are also many beautiful temples in this complex, which are also worth seeing, I will briefly talk about them in:

• angkor thom
• Bayon Temple
• Bapuon
• Royal Corps and Pimanakas
• Pre Paliley
• Thep Pranam
• Terrace of the Leper King
• Elephant Terrace
• Klings and Prasat Sor Prat
• Ta Prohm Temple is the most breathtaking temple of Angkor and everyone who comes to see Cambodia should see it. It is interesting because it is abandoned and given to the jungle, the trees that permeate it.

• Banteay Kdey and Sra Srang
• Ta Keo
• Pre Can 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 if you hire good guide, even more, but you will get plenty of impressions. All you need now is to choose the best time to fly to Cambodia and plan a vacation, and life in this country is quite budgetary, even for selective travelers. Good luck with your exploration of ancient structures.

Read the rest of the story in the following article:

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

Let me tell you once again what everyone who is interested in antiquities and beautiful places in Southeast Asia. Majestic temple complex angkor wat located in the northwestern part Cambodia and this marvel of architecture is one of the oldest religious monuments in the world and the finest surviving legacy of the ancient Khmer Empire. More than 250 square kilometers of the archaeological park, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is visited by millions of tourists every year.

At one time, only careful preparation for the journey to angkor wat allowed us not to get lost in the crowds of tourists and minimize the unpleasant moments that could arise during the trip. I am sure that without preparation, most of your time and money will be wasted.

IN this article collected the most complete information on Angkor temple complex, tried not to delve into small insignificant details and not to overload report photographs. Also, an article about the city will be published in a separate post. Siem Reap in Cambodia- that's where it starts getting to know angkor which is located a few kilometers from the city.

angkor one of the three coolest temples in Southeast Asia, along with Borobudur in Java which we also visited Bagan temple complex in Burma (Myanmar), the journey to which we have ahead.

angkor- not a city, but a temple complex, which includes several tens (hundreds) of large and small temples of different ages and significance, the most significant and largest of them is the temple complex angkor wat. The prefix "Wat" in Khmer means temple.

History of the Angkor Wat temple complex

main temple angkor wat was built in the 12th century during the reign of King Suryavarman II and they say that he was somehow connected with his future funeral ceremony. The facade, intricate Hindu texts, carved bas-reliefs, the central tower - a symbol of the sacred Mount Meru, the walls and moat surrounding the temple, symbolizing the mountains and oceans at the edge of the world. The five towers of the temple are dedicated to the deity Vishnu, and the temple itself is designed to personify a copy of the universe.

How to get to the Angkor temple complex

The nearest airport is in city ​​of Siem Reap, a few kilometers from the temple complex. The airport is small but international. IN Siem Reap major airlines fly Delta (delta.com), VirginAustralia (virginaustralia.com), SingaporeAirlines (singaporeair.com), and KoreanAir (koreanair.com). In addition to them, there are many flights from the cities of Thailand, Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City).

Obviously, it is most convenient for citizens of Ukraine, Russia and the CIS countries to fly through Bangkok (Thailand). From Bangkok V Siem Reap airlines fly Air Asia, Bangkok Air.

Visa to Cambodia can be obtained upon arrival, it costs 25 US dollars. IN Siem Reap can be reached by auto rickshaw (tuk-tuk) or taxi for a few dollars, tuk-tuks and taxis stand at the exit of the airport. It is enough to name the hotel or area Siem Reap city, for example, Old Market ( popular place in the city).

When to go to Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

As soon as possible, the number of tourists wishing to see angkor wat V Cambodia, is growing every year. Temples of course will not go anywhere, but the atmosphere can be lost. In addition, some buildings ancient city periodically closed for restoration.

If speak about weather in cambodia, then the off-season in this part of Cambodia is June to October, smaller crowds, lower prices. autumn at the end of the rainy season, everything is green and the least hot according to reviews. The best time is November-December, at the same time tourism peak. hottest month – April. May to October is the rainy season. Popular time to visit temples of angkor our tourists have winter. We were in February, at this time high humidity and a little cloudiness. Not the most best time for photography, but there is no burning sun.

Best time to visit angkor wat at any time of the year - early in the morning, when the temple is open for visitors until lunch, during tomorrow - around 9 a.m. and during lunch - around noon there are fewer visitors, especially organized tourist groups.

angkor wat where to live

All those who come to angkor wat live in city ​​of Siem Reap. Large selection of hotels, guest houses and apartments. It is not necessary to choose a hotel closer to Angkor temple complex, you will still go by tuk-tuk or a rented car with a driver. Much more important maximum comfort and very preferably a swimming pool, after a hot and humid tourist day this is the first place you want to climb into, and a couple of minutes later the obligatory beer or a cold cocktail.

The location of the hotel. It is better to look for accommodation in Siem Reap close to Old Market ( old market) , in the area the main traffic, shopping, bar street.

We had a very comfortable Central Boutique Angkor Hotel for $ 40 per night (double) with a terrace and access to the pool and bar. We had breakfast in a restaurant in a tropical garden, lunch in the city, and dinner, as a rule, on the terrace by the pool. Relative deficiency- the hotel was far from the city center Siem Reap evening life but that wasn't a problem. We love to walk, and besides, there are plenty of taxis in the city that will take you anywhere in the city for a couple of dollars. Details about hotels and guesthouses Siem Reap (Cambodia)you can read on mynew sitededicated to the choice of accommodation when traveling -Siem Reap, Cambodia - Hotel recommendation

Hotel in Siem Reap, Central Boutique Angkor Hotel

There are several popular ways to get from the hotel to angkor temple complex.

The laziest way, he is the most comfortable - to hire an air-conditioned car with a driver. There are options here. You can rent a car separately for trips around Small circle of Angkor, By Great circle of Angkor and to distant temples. In this case, you kind of buy a car rental service at retail and pay for each route. In many cases this is justified. Depending on the route, each section will cost from 25 to 50 dollars, except for trips to the most distant temples, for example, to Ko Ker. We rented a car for three days at once and it cost us $80 per day. We were two families and the girls did not want to swallow the dust of centuries riding a tuk-tuk. The guide was paid an extra $20 for half a day of his work.

Even for me, accustomed to humid heat, 6-8 hours of active hiking in such a climate would be exhausting. An air-conditioned car gives you the opportunity to relax in between visiting the temples, leave some things there and not stomp on foot (on a bicycle). You can rent a car either through specialized sites - there are many Russian-speaking ones, or at the hotel desk. The price will be the same and depends on your ability and desire to bargain, if the difference is 5-10 dollars.

Second option- an indispensable tuk-tuk (tuk-tuk) in Asia (autorickshaw), the pricing principle is the same as with a car, wholesale is cheaper, on separate routes it will generally turn out more expensive. The price for a tuk-tuk is 10-30 dollars per day. It makes no sense to detail the cost of a tuk-tuk, since it changes every year and not downwards of course. You can rent a tuk-tuk right on the street or at the hotel counter. Again, do not forget to bargain, sometimes you can reduce the price by 30%, at least 20% almost always. A tuk-tuk can accommodate up to 4 people.

The most budget way- bike. You can rent it at the counter of any hotel. If you wish there are no health problems, it is easy to master the small circle of Angkor and see the main temples. I know several comrades who saved money and got acquainted with ancient civilization in this manner. In addition to the obvious drawbacks, this method has another one - you have to see the temples without a guide.

If you are planning to travel to distant temples of Angkor (Beng Melia, Banteay Srei, Phnom Kulen, Kbal Spin, Ko Ker, Pre Vihea, Pre Kan)- this is a separate price and in this case it is better to rent a car for the whole day and go with a company of 4 people. It will be more comfortable and much cheaper.

Heard from travelers that many drivers in cambodia not punctual. Not everything is critical and depends on you. It seemed to me that the Khmers themselves determine to whom you can be late, and to whom it is better not to, as you will be left without an order and without money - there is a lot of competition among them. We were never late, Cambodia, nor in Indonesia. In the rest Asian countries the transport was ours. The main thing is to clearly discuss your trip plan with the driver and it’s even better to draw it up on paper, with the names of temples and breakpoints By route.

angkor- this is a huge territory, even near one temple you can lose each other, all the more difficult to distinguish your tuk-tuk or car from a dozen similar strangers. Here the rule is the same for everyone - the driver will find you and recognize you in the crowd. Usually he waits not where he dropped off (at the entrance), but opposite the exit. In general, trust him - he will not be left without money, the main thing is not to lose each other.

Do I need a guide to the temples of Angkor and where to look for it

I not a supporter of guides and I never use them, because what I read about this or that place is almost always enough. angkor – exception from this rule, especially if you came specifically to see it. We took a guide, Russian-speaking and very good, although a little lazy. I constantly reminded him that we should go see such and such a temple, in the end we drove with him around Small circle of Angkor and We stopped at a couple of slightly remote temples. He told interesting, but NOT Wow!

Guide can be ordered at the hotel desk, you should first discuss the route with him. Arrival at the hotel, dawn, return for breakfast, trips to distant temples if they are planned, lunch break. As detailed as possible. Otherwise, he can drive you around for half a day. angkor wat plus a couple more temples and say that they say this is the most interesting, the rest is not worth a visit. It is customary to pay money to both the guide and the driver after work, that is, when you are returned back to the hotel. IN Siem Reap there are enough Russian-speaking guides, of those who studied in the Union, they speak very tolerably and understandably.

The cost of visiting Angkor and the opening hours of the temple complex

We already know how to get to angkor, we have transport and, if desired, a guide. It remains to buy a ticket to visit the temples. This can be done at the ticket office at the entrance to Angkor temple complex.

Tickets are sold for a period - 1 day, 3 days, 7 days. For tickets for a period of 3 and 7 days, you need a photo that is taken on the spot when buying. For one-day tickets - a separate box office. There are signs everywhere, everything is intuitive. If you have a guide with you, he can buy tickets.

Ticket price:

• 1 day - $20 (valid all day)
• 3 days - $40 (valid for any three days of the week)
• 7 days - 60 USD (valid for any 7 days of the month)

There are always queues, especially in the morning, you should not be afraid - they move very quickly.

Working hours Angkor temple complex 07:30 - 17:30, Angkor Wat - open from 05:30 in the morning for shooting sunrise, you can get inside at 07:40 in the morning.

Ticket offices open at 05:00

Sunrise and sunset at Angkore

Opening hours of the main temple - angkor wat- 05:30, it's dawn time. Unfortunately, beautiful sunrises are rare, we were not lucky. At 05:30, people gather near Angkor Wat and take pictures of the dawn, you can go upstairs from 07:40 to 17:00. Sunset in angkor from about 18:00, but after 17:30 you will be asked to leave the temple, although you can stretch until 18:00 if you do not catch the eye of employees.

You can shoot the sunset either from the upper tiers angkor wat, if you manage to stretch at least until 18:00, or from the top of the temple Tha Keo- it is in the form of a pyramid with high steep steps. Popular point - Phnom Bakheng.

Routes around Angkor. nearby temples. Large and small circles of Angkor

With the ticket that we bought at the box office, regardless of its type (for 1 day, 3 days or a week), we will be able to see only nearby temples. These are the temples that are located on the territory angkor temple complex. I think they are the most interesting ordinary tourist who is not a fan of ruins and antiquities.

For the convenience of tourists, two main routes have been invented - Large and Small circles of Angkor. Each of these routes requires at least a whole day, and each temple on the route is unique in its own way and is not repeated even in general terms. Naturally, there are signs in the temple complex, in addition, you can take a map of the location of the temples if you decide not to use the services of a guide.

There are two more temples that are located at a small distance from these routes - Banteay Srei And Banteay Samre. It was them that I asked to show our guide, otherwise we would not have seen them.

Both routes start from the main temple – angkor wat, The small circle is, as it were, nested in the Big one, part of the route is repeated.

Small Temples of Angkor

• Angkor Wat
• Phnom Bakheng
• Baksei Chamkrong
• angkor thom

angkor thom- the second most important and famous temple complex after angkor wat and the conditional center of everything temple complex. It is dedicated to Buddhism and is translated from Khmer as " Big city". IN angkor thom includes more than a dozen large temples and several small ones. This complex became a "star" thanks to Bayon Temple– it is easy to recognize him by the stern faces carved in stone, which look at you with an unblinking and creepy look. The main temples of this complex:

Bayon

Baphuon

Pimeanakas (Phimeanakas)

Royal Palace

Terrace of the Elephants

Terrace of Leper King

Tep Pranam

Preah Palilay

Preah Pithu

Prasats Suor Prat

North and South Kleang (North Kleang and South Kleang)

• Chau Say Tevoda (Chau Say Tevoda)
• Thommanon
• Ta Keo (Ta Keo) Temple of Ta Keo - now it is undergoing a large-scale restoration, cranes and workers spoil the whole atmosphere a little;
• Ta Prohm - a temple overgrown with jungle, several Hollywood films were filmed here
• Banteay Kdei
• Prasat Kravan

small circle, although it is called small, but in terms of walking time it is much longer big circle. Of the pluses - the coolest temples are located precisely on the Small Circle of Angkor. On this route, we walked more than we drove. In the Great Circle, the opposite is true.

Small circle length– about 17 km.

Great Circle Temples of Angkor

As I already said, Great Circle of Angkor also starts at angkor wat, coincides with the Small Circle to the Bayon temple. Then the path continues to the northern gate of the temple complex. angkor thom and to the following temples:

• Preah Khan
• Neak Pean
• Ta Som
• East Mebon
• Pre Rup (Pre Rup)

After these temples Great Circle of Angkor merges again with small circle. We also finish at the main temple - angkor wat.

big circle- it's more moving and less temples, besides they are not so big and popular. On the plus side, you can rest along the way.

Great circle length– approximately 26 km.

The distant temples of Angkor

This is the name of the temples, which are located at a considerable distance from the city of Siem Reap. This is from several tens to hundreds of kilometers and it will take at least a whole day to inspect them and about a hundred dollars for transport and entrances. If you are alone, look for a couple and team up with another couple. Those who wish are, as a rule, quickly. Usually these are hotel neighbors or just casual acquaintances. In extreme cases, you can go to distant temples organized tour(price 45-50 dollars per person) - this is budget, but unsportsmanlike.

The list of distant temples of Angkor and the approximate distance to them from the city of Siem Reap

• Beng Melia - 70 km. , about 2 hours on the way
• Koh Ker - 124 km., on the way you can stop by Beng Melia
• Banteay Srei - 40 km., 1 hour on the way;
• Roluos (Bakong Temple) - 17 km. on the way to Phnom Penh, 25 minutes drive;
• Pre Vihea - 240 km., Practically on the border with Thailand - there are practically no tourists because of its remoteness;
• Pre Can - 160 km. and almost 4 hours on the road - there are practically no tourists because of its remoteness;
• Phnom Kulen National Park - 55 km., On the way we stop at Banteay Srei - 20 km from it.

How long does it take to see Angkor

Depends on the goals, but you need at least two days, with two overnight stays, given the road. Optimally - two full days to explore all the nearby temples of Angkor, another full day to explore distant temples and a full day to relax and walk around Siem Reap. When planning, keep in mind that after a whole day on your feet, you will not want to look at distant temples. In total, it turns out from 3 to 5 days, after which you can go to the beaches of Thailand.

Our further route lay on Chang island, traveled by rented car, including the ferry. The choice of car was justified by the fact that there were four of us. As a result, the expenses turned out to be not so big, and it is difficult to overestimate the comfort, including stops at interesting places– villages, markets, lonely standing temples. Such a transfer is offered by many private agencies in Cambodia. You can find out about offers at the airport, hotel or on the relevant sites on the Internet. Not knowing English is not a problem - many agencies speak Russian.

Other things to do in Angkor and around Siem Reap

Fly on hot-air balloon- there are many offers, the price is $ 20 per person, a taxi to the starting point and back to the hotel is about $ 10.

Excursion to Tonle Sap lake. There is an interesting floating village. We didn’t go, because we heard that this was mainly a production for tourists, and there wasn’t enough time.

First advice- start your day in angkor early in the morning. Rise at 4 am to be at the ticket office by 5. Take a snack with you - you can always have breakfast in the park. I was helped by coconuts, which I drank two or three a day, in addition to coconuts in the park they always sell some kind of food and drinks. Lunch at the hotel will also have to be sacrificed in order to return by about 16:00 and relax there.

Start your tour not from the main temple angkor wat- it is located at the entrance to the park, and immediately after meeting the dawn, if such is planned, head along the Small Circle to other temples while there are few people there.

If you are planning two days angkor, then devote the first day Small circle of Angkor, second day - big circle. Many do the opposite, leaving the most delicious temples for the second day and starting from the Great Circle. I advise you to start with a small circle, because it is quite possible that this will be enough - the coolest temples are on the route Small circle - Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo.

Cloth. IN Cambodia very humid - keep that in mind. No mini-skirts and jeans - it will be uncomfortable. IN angkor wat allowed only in a long skirt and with a covered head (if I'm not mistaken), take it with you. You can wander around the rest of the temples in shorts and a T-shirt. Sunscreen- Necessarily. You will sunbathe on the sea. On feet - non-slippery shoes with rubber or rubber soles.

Dawn time - approximately 6:00, sunset time - 18:00, you need to shoot the dawn near the main temple - angkor wat, the whole crowd is there. Sunset can be filmed from any high temple. I like - Ta Keo.

Safety. Many temples can be climbed, many temples have very steep steps, sometimes extremely steep, such as in Ta Keo. It was in this temple that a well-known traveler in her circles fell down the steps and died. Be careful, there are warning labels, but not everywhere. Railings are also not everywhere. If there are no railings, on such temples as Ta Keo you should not climb at all - I still remember its almost sheer steepness.

Ta Keo Temple

take hygiene products take at least wet wipes with you to wipe sweat and hands after climbing stairs.

Don't give money to beggars children, they subtly feel doubts and begin to be aggressively obsessive. A firm no, better not in English, then they will quickly fall behind. Any attempt to give at least a dollar will bury your freedom, the first extortionist will be followed by another two dozen - a kind of chain reaction. Figuratively, of course, but you should not give and buy postcards, no matter how plaintively they look at you. Especially a lot of small extortionists are on duty at the exit from the park. There are also enough petty thieves, wind the camera around your hand or wear it around your neck over your shoulder. Don't say later that I didn't warn you. IN angkor sometimes there are all kinds of festivals that many local Khmers come to - admission for them these days is free. You should not plan a visit at this time because of the incredible crowds of people.

Can I travel to Cambodia with small children

Travel with small children South East Asia and to Cambodia, in particular, it is possible and necessary. Keep in mind that there is a humid climate and tropical heat - from 30 to 36 in the shade. Move around in a rented car with air conditioning - you will not be so tired. Shorten long walks, take more drinking water with you and a mandatory snack if you are going to angkor all day. Children from 7 years old will be interested - I guarantee. We traveled with a child, at the time of the trip to Cambodia she was 11 years old, then there was a long trip through Thailand with several local flights. No difficulties, she endured the trip well and asks to go to Asia again. Because ruins, beaches, sea, fruits, warmth, comfortable conditions in hotels and guest houses, and an 11-hour flight is not a problem. A day in trains to the south, as it used to be, is a much more difficult story, remember.

Hello dear readers! Today, the goal of our virtual trip will be the temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The Angkor region was the center of Cambujadesh, the ancient state of the Khmers. In addition to Cambodia itself, it included the territories of today's Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.

As is known from, this feudal kingdom existed from the 9th to the 13th centuries. It reached its peak in the 12th century when Angkor Wat was built. History is silent as the temple was called in those days.

Suryavarman II, one of the rulers of the Khmer Empire, erected it in honor of the Hindu god Vishnu. Therefore, there are suggestions that the historical name could sound like "Varah Vishnuloka", that is, "the place where the holy Vishnu lives."

What does the modern name mean?

"Angkor" (from the Sanskrit "nagara") means "city". Interestingly, in Cambujadesh they spoke two languages: the rulers in Sanskrit, and the common people in Khmer. The word "Wat" in the languages ​​of Asian countries can mean a temple, pagoda or monastery.

Angkor Wat temple complex, Cambodia

The Khmer language is no exception here, but it also has a second meaning of the word "Wat": it is "admiration" or "veneration".

Cambodians are incredibly proud of their main shrine. The image of Angkor Wat is present on the state symbols of the country: the coat of arms and the flag.

Thus, the name of the sanctuary can be translated as:

• temple city;
• city ​​temple;
• capital temple.

But in fact, the word Angkor has long become a proper name and therefore cannot be translated in any way. Therefore, Angkor Wat is the temple of Angkor.

Location

The ruins of Angkor are located very close to Siem Reap. It is the capital of the Cambodian province of the same name. Angkor Archaeological Park covers approximately four hundred square meters. km along with its wooded territory.

Temple complex Angkor Wat on the map

Here are the majestic relics of the capitals of the Khmer Empire, which existed at different times from the 9th to the 15th centuries. They include the temple of Angkor Wat, which will be discussed in our story. Angkor Archaeological Park has been under the protection of UNESCO since 1992.

Rediscovering the world

The once great Kambujadesh was bled dry by endless wars with neighbors and exorbitant construction costs. It ceased to exist in the 14th century. Angkor Wat gradually fell into disrepair, but was not completely abandoned, as monks always lived here.

Two centuries later sacred place visited by the first Europeans. They were the Portuguese. First, the merchant Diogo do Couto published his travel notes. And after 36 years, the monk António da Madalena, having visited the ruins of the temple, described it in excellent colors.

But truly Europeans became interested in the shrine in 1860. This time the French did their bit in drawing attention to the shrine:

1. Preacher Charles-Emile Buyevo, who published a two-volume book of his impressions from visiting this place.
2. Naturalist and traveler Henri Muo, who popularized the great Khmer temple among Westerners.
3. Henri Ernest Jean Parmentier, archaeologist and later director of the French Institute of the Far East, who studied, documented and participated in the restoration of the monuments of Angkor.

The Paris Colonial Exhibition, which was held in 1931, exhibited a model of the sanctuary of Angkor Wat.

Model of Angkor Wat at the Royal Palace, Cambodia

There were also barbaric antics. In the 70s, part of the buildings and sculptural images were damaged by the Pol Potites. Well, now, protected by the world community, the temple is the number one attraction in the Cambodian kingdom, and any travel agency will tell you how to get here.

Those who have already been here share their experience with tourists:

1. The entrance ticket can be bought for a day, three days or a week. It must be kept, as controllers periodically check tickets. With a ticket, you can leave the complex any number of times during the paid time and enter again. It is personalized: your photo will be taken at the checkout, and it will be on the ticket.
2. Forgery of a ticket is punishable by law, as well as looting and damage to the property of Angkor.
3. At 5 o'clock in the morning it is customary to meet the dawn here, and the complex closes at 17:30.
4. Dress appropriately, covering your shoulders and knees. A headdress will save you from sunstroke. And shoes, despite the heat, are recommended to choose comfortable ones, such as sneakers, since the stairs with stone steps are very steep.
5. Well, and absolutely obvious truths: you should not litter, smoke, touch images with your hands. It is necessary to respect and follow the instructions of signs and signs on the territory.

Before visiting the temple, of course, it’s nice to be savvy in theoretical terms. Therefore, we turn to the description of its architecture.

architectural features

The Angkorian style in which this shrine is built combines features of both Khmer and Hindu architecture. This is a temple-mountain, personifying, in combination with many galleries. The building consists of three rectangular terraces that make up the pyramid.

The inner rectangular courtyard occupies two hundred hectares. It is surrounded by a wall four and a half meters high. From the outer side of the wall, a moat filled with water stretches for more than three and a half kilometers.

At its edges, the land is cleared of the jungle to a width of thirty meters. The width of the moat is one hundred and ninety meters, and it is believed that it was he who saved the temple from destruction and from the invasion of wild animals from the jungle during the years of oblivion.

Towers of Angkor Wat

The unique beauty of the monastery is given by five towers. Each of them is shaped like a lotus flower. The tower in the center rises sixty-five meters into the sky. It is higher than the other four by forty-two meters.

Khmer believers did not go to temples: their gods lived here. Only representatives of the clergy and rulers could go inside. Agkor Wat also served as the tomb of Suryavarman II.

The entrance to the temple is through the western gopura (the tower above the gate), which is considered the main one. It consists of three dilapidated turrets, behind which at first the giant main building is not visible, and is its likeness in form. Leaving the gopura, the traveler passes to the temple along the road, on both sides of which there is a parapet with statues of snakes with seven heads.

The road is laid on a dam made of sandstone. Probably the dam was previously replaced wooden bridge. An earth embankment leads to the shrine from the east side. There are gopuras from all four cardinal directions, but the other three are smaller than the western one.

Vishnu's statue south tower, Angkor Wat, Cambodia

There is a statue of Vishnu in the south tower. It is assumed that he appeared in it later, and initially his place was in the central hall. Four gopuras on each of the three tiers are connected by galleries, decorated with square columns along the outer wall.

The galleries are so spacious that, if desired, an elephant could pass through them. Because of this, another name for gopura is “elephant gate”. The ceiling of the galleries is decorated with stone lotus flowers. And the walls have the richest decoration, more than a thousand square meters. What is this:

• bas-reliefs with scenes from the history of the Khmers, the ancient Indian epic and Hindu myths;
• figurines of two thousand charming demigoddesses - apsaras with intricate and sophisticated hairstyles;

Bas-reliefs on the walls of the temple - Apsaras

• griffins;
• sculptures of dancing people;
• dragons with wings harnessed to chariots;
• figures of men dancing on the backs of running animals;
• unicorns;

• warriors with leaders riding on elephants;
• devatas.

On the map of the complex, there were originally both urban buildings and Royal Palace. But all of them collapsed over time, as they were not built of stone. Only the outlines of some streets have survived to this day.

From the main road to the temple, perpendicular to it, there are six pairs of side stairs through which you can go down to the territory former city. There are two library buildings located symmetrically on both sides of the road, with ponds in front of them. These reservoirs, like the terrace in the form of a cross, into which the main road, appeared later than other elements of the complex.

The subtleties of the building

The stones used for the construction are so smooth that they seem to be polished. No solution was used for their coupling. They fit so tightly to neighboring stones that the seams are not visible at all.

Sometimes there are no connections in the blocks at all, they are held by gravity. In most of the blocks, the researchers noticed multiple holes about three centimeters in length and slightly smaller in cross section. Opinions about their purpose differ: some scientists believe that they are intended for metal rods-connections, others - that they are for connecting parts, with the help of which it was easier to move stones during installation.

There is evidence that elephants were used to actuate the block mechanism. The ropes were made from coir, the middle layer of the coconut wall. So the stones were lifted into place.

There are holes in the walls too. This suggests that once there were panels of bronze. It was the height of chic in antiquity, but also attracted marauders.

The figure indicating the amount of sandstone that went into the construction of this ancient monument is impressive: over five million tons. This building material was delivered from the Kulen Plateau along the Siem Reap River.

According to modern ideas, a structure of such complexity should have been erected for several hundred years. Nevertheless, the construction of Angkor Wat was completed in about forty years - the lifetime of its founder. This indicates that the builders had some special knowledge and skills.

And finally, quite sensational information: scientists have established using computer programs that the location of the temples of the Angkor complex exactly corresponds to the location of the stars in the constellation Draco, as it was during sunrise ten and a half thousand years BC, on the day of the vernal equinox. So What is thismiracleSveta, which is only about a thousand years old, continues to keep its secrets.

Conclusion

Having visited the temple of Angkor Wat, even inveterate skeptics admit that famous place has amazing energy and sinks into the soul for a long time. Many come back here again, and more than once. The tourists who have been here are unanimous in one thing: this miracle must be seen with your own eyes at least once in your life.

Angkor (Cambodia) is the center of the ancient Khmer Empire, a complex of temples that have survived to this day. This cultural property is listed world heritage UNESCO is rightfully considered the most popular attraction in the country. How to get to Angkor, the schedule and the cost of visiting the temples - all the information you need for a successful trip is in this article.

angkor wat

Do not confuse! Angkor is an ancient city, on whose territory there are over 20 temples, among which the largest is Angkor Wat.

Excursion into history

The construction of the Angkor complex was started by the founder of the local dynasty - the prince who declared the independence of Cambujadesh (today's Cambodia), Jayavarman II. Since then, almost every king erected one or more sacred buildings during his reign, often marking a certain event. The construction of the complex was completed in 1218, after the death of Jayavarman VII, by whose order the temples of Preah-Kan (in honor of the victory over the tyams), Ta-Prohm (in memory of the mother of the majestic ruler) and others were erected.

Interesting fact! The largest temple in history, Angkor Wat, was built over 30 years. It occupies the same territory as the state of the Vatican.

The majestic Khmer empire fell in the middle of the 15th century as a result of a centuries-old struggle with the Tyams and Tays. In 1431, Siamese troops occupied Angkor, and all its inhabitants left their homes, deciding that it was better to live in peace, albeit far from their homeland. In the end, the devastated city, along with all the temples, was swallowed up by the jungle.

Angkor was rediscovered in 1861 by the French scientist Henri Muo, but due to the difficult times in the history of Cambodia, accompanied by bloody wars, no one was involved in its restoration. Only 130 years later, UNESCO will add the temple complex to the World Heritage List, and an organization will be created in China that brings together specialists who are still engaged in the restoration of this majestic landmark of Cambodia.

Amazing details! All the temples of Angkor are built without the use of cement and other binding materials.

Where is Angkor

You can get to the temple complex by tuk-tuk (about $ 2), bicycle ($ 0.5 / hour) or taxi (from $ 5), after hitting the city of Siem Reap, located in western Cambodia. For this you can use:

Siem Reap airport

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Angkor opening hours and cost of visiting

The cash desks of the temple complex open at 5 am and work until 5:30 pm, at the same time tourists are allowed in here. According to official rules, all travelers must leave the territory of Angkor before 18:00, but if you do not get caught by the police, you can stay there a little longer and enjoy the beauty of the temples in the setting sun.

The price of entry to Angkor varies depending on the number of days. There are three options in total:

• One day visit for $20;
• Three-day cultural education for $40;
• Seven-day walk through the temples for $60.

You can use a 3-day pass within a week of purchase, while a 7-day pass will be valid for a month. On the front side of such a ticket there should be your photo, it is made at the box office directly upon purchase.

Note! You can buy a day-to-day ticket only until 17:00, the remaining half an hour tickets are sold for the next day.

Structure of Angkor (Cambodia)

In the territory ancient city there are over 30 temples covering an area of ​​500,000 square meters. It is absolutely unrealistic to visit them all in one day, most often travel agencies and travelers who have visited this attraction of Cambodia are advised to spend three to five days walking around the temple complex.

The most popular Angkor itinerary is designed for three days and is divided into visiting the temples of the small circle, the large circle, as well as distant temples, which are reached by the most persistent and curious.

Advice! If you are going to visit the temple complex with a group, rent bikes or bicycles. This will help you save time and effort (since the length of the same route through the temples of the small circle is 20 km), and not lose your rented property if you digress to take a photo of Angkor Wat and other places.

small circle

These include those temples that every traveler must see - the most majestic, beautiful and valuable. The distance of the route is 20 km, designed for one day. The direction of travel is shown in the titles of the following sections: first Angkor Wat, then Angkor Thom, etc.

angkor wat

This temple occupies a vast territory and can rightfully be considered a whole complex. It is surrounded by a moat that fills with water during the rainy season, there are many trees, green grass, flowers and wild animals around.

In the center of Angkor Wat is a temple-mountain, built in such a way that its five identical turrets can be seen from any side. The second key attraction of the complex is the library - a one-story building surrounded by palm trees and tourists.

No less interesting are the galleries of Angkor Wat, which can be viewed from above, climbing the stone stairs in the backyard. In total, 8 galleries with bas-reliefs were built on the territory of the temple, densely covering the walls. The most famous among them is the Hell and Heaven Gallery.

Advice! If you want to take a deserted photo of Angkor Wat, wait for the full sunrise and look into the backyard of the temple. At this time, all the tourists who met the dawn go to rest, and the newly arrived travelers disperse to the main parts of the complex.

angkor thom

This is another attraction on the must-see list in Cambodia, the last capital of the Khmer Empire and a majestic 13th-14th century city of over a million people. Its name explains its popularity and modern world- "Greater Angkor" really impresses with its scale, unusual architecture, harmony and magnificence.

The structure of Angkor Thom is very logical - the city is a square with stone walls, inside which there are various buildings. The most significant of them:

In addition, Angkor Thom has the Terrace of the Leper King, the Terrace of the Elephants, several prasats, the Gate of Victory and an unusual bridge with figures of gods and demons. The recommended time to visit this attraction is 3-4 hours.

Advice! Head to Bayon before sunrise to avoid crowds of tourists and get the most spectacular photos.

Ta Prom

Another of the most beautiful buildings in Cambodia is Ta Prohm, which became popular after the filming of the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and today bears the proud name of Angelina Jolie Temple. For seven centuries, this building played the role of a monastery and a university, where local residents received education and conducted scientific research.

Ta Prohm is several times smaller than Angkor Wat or Angkor Thom, there are no separate significant sights on its territory, they are all part of the temple itself. Thus, the galleries of Ta Proma are among the most interesting in the entire complex, as they are built into one another and resemble a small labyrinth.

Another feature of the temple is its proximity to the jungle - the roots of trees wrap around stone walls and amaze with their size. To this day, Ta Prohm cannot be cleared of vegetation, because it is due to it that the building has survived to our times.

Millennium Mystery. Among the picturesque bas-reliefs of the temple there is an image of a dinosaur. Both scientists and tourists have been struggling with the question of what this ancient creature is doing on the walls of Ta Proma for more than a year.

Small temples of the small circle

This category includes Pre Kan (built by the last king of Cambodia in honor of his father), Ta Keo (the highest temple-mountain, the construction of which was not completed because lightning hit the building, which was considered a bad sign) and Phnom Bakeng (temple in the rock , which offers a panoramic view of the whole of Angkor). The total duration of the visit to all three buildings is 4-5 hours.

big circle

Banteay Kdey

The route includes more than ten small temples, the total duration is 25 km. The most popular buildings worth visiting in the first place:

1. Banteay Kdey. It was built as a Buddhist temple, consists of many galleries, decorated with bas-reliefs.
2. Pre Rup. Temple-mountain, created in honor of the god Shiva.
3. Banteay Samre. It is distinguished by the grace of architecture and unusual carved walls. It was erected in honor of the ancient Indian god Vishnu.
4. Ta Som. A place for spectacular photographs showing the unity of nature and ancient buildings.

distant temples

This category includes several temple complexes located at a decent distance from the center of Angkor. You can only get there by taxi or rented car (do not take a bike or bicycle, otherwise you will get mired in the dust of Cambodian dirt roads). The cost of such a trip is $ 50-60, so try to find fellow travelers or become one yourself.

Beng Melia

Located 67 km from Siem Reap, this temple is definitely worth visiting. At the entrance you will be met by unusual guards in the form of seven-headed snakes, and once inside you will understand what is the beauty of stone chaos. The peculiarity of Beng Melia is that the hands of restorers did not touch its walls, so you have a great opportunity to see it as it was found at the end of the 19th century.

Important! The cost of visiting the temple is $ 5, not included in the general ticket for Angkor.

banteay srey

It is called the "Fortress of Beauty", the citadel of women and the pearl of Angkor. This is a unique building, unlike all other buildings of the complex due to:

• Your size. Banteay Srey is really miniature, which is very impressive, especially after visiting Angkor Wat;
• materials. The temple is built of pink sandstone (the rest are yellow), which gives it a special charm and beauty, especially early in the morning;
• Handmade carvings and bas-reliefs that cover the walls of Banteay Srey.

On the territory of the temple there is a library, a central sanctuary, many statues. Recommended visiting time is 2-3 hours. Distance from Siem Reap - 37 km.

This place is sacred to all the inhabitants of Cambodia, because it was here that the country's independence was proclaimed 1200 years ago. Here is the famous statue of the reclining Buddha, the sacred temple, where pilgrims go every year, the river of a thousand lingams and the most picturesque waterfall in Cambodia.

The cost of visiting Phnom Kulen is $ 20 (paid separately from the general ticket to Angkor), located 55 km from Siem Reap. You can only get there by taxi or rented car.

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A map of Siem Reap city showing landmarks, including Angkor Wat and some important objects infrastructure.

When you look at Angkor Wat, its openwork towers and walls depicting mythical animals and dancing celestials, you begin to understand why the locals are convinced that this temple was built by the gods as a sign of friendship between a god and a human prince.

One day, the god Indra, who lived on Mount Meru, invited Prince Preah Ket Mealea to visit (the name of the young man translates as Divine Radiance, which was given to him because he was surprisingly good-looking and at the same time possessed many talents). To say that the prince liked the heavenly halls is to say nothing. And the palace, on the walls of which mythical animals were depicted, with lotus-shaped towers and golden peaks, simply conquered him.

Preah Ket Mealea and Indre became friends, and the young man lived for a long time in the god's house. And he would hardly have left him if the tevoda, heavenly dancers, had not spoken out against his presence: the prince, who arrived from the human world, despite all his perfections, carried with him all his temptations, which greatly embarrassed their peace and beckoned. To keep peace in his house, the god asked his friend to return home, promising him to build a copy of his palace on earth.

temple of the gods

The temple of Angkor Wat is located in the Kingdom of Cambodia, in the south of the Indochina peninsula (on the geographical map of the world, this temple can be found at the following coordinates: 13° 24′ 45″ N, 103° 52′ 0″ E). It is located among the jungle, 240 km from Phnom Pei, the capital of the country, five and a half kilometers north of the city of Siampriap (you can get here by bus from Phnom Penh in just five hours).

Angkor Wat (translated as "Temple City") was built at the beginning of the XII century. in the capital of the Khmer state of Angkor, by order of the ruler Suryavarman II, and was originally dedicated to the supreme god of Hinduism, Vishnu. This temple is one of the largest religious buildings in the world, since its area occupies about 2 km², while the length is 1.5 thousand, and the width is 1.3 thousand meters.

Despite the fact that the size of the temple complex of the ancient Kingdom of Cambodia cannot but amaze, in reality there is nothing surprising here: the territory of the city of Angkor exceeded 400 km², and recent studies suggest that about half a million people could well live here.

Therefore, he was one of largest cities of its time, in which architecture and art were very well developed: more than two hundred monuments have been discovered on its territory today - pavilions, temples, palaces, pyramids and tombs, among which is the huge temple complex of Angkor Wat. The sanctuary, according to the plan of the builders, was supposed to symbolize Measure, sacred mountain Khmer: the towers are the top of the mountain, the walls of the temple are rocks, and the moat is the ocean that surrounds the universe.

Temple construction

The history of the construction of Angkor Wat began during the time of Suryavarman II, who ruled from 1113 to 1150. He did not wait for the completion of construction work, and the complex was completed after the death of the ruler: his tomb was found in the sanctuary (there is nothing surprising in the fact that the tomb was arranged on the territory of the shrine, since the Khmers were convinced that their ruler was the incarnation of God, and the erected temple was considered his heavenly home on Earth).

Scientists claim that the construction of the Vishnu temple took the same amount of stones as the construction of the Khafre pyramid - about 5 million tons.

Much more effort was invested, since absolutely all the stone blocks were subjected to artistic processing (on all surfaces, columns, lintels and even roofs one or another story related to the life of the Khmers is depicted) - a fact that cannot but surprise and clearly shows not only the skill level of the ancient builders, but also their industriousness.

Stone blocks were brought from the quarries located on the Kulen plateau (on the map it is located forty kilometers north of Angkor Wat, so the Siem Reap River was used to get there). To fix them together, the builders did not use mortars: the blocks were so tightly fitted to each other that the seams between them in some places cannot be found.

Temple city from the outside

Angkor Wat is at the center of a sprawling complex that consists of 200 other places of worship. Its outer wall is surrounded by a moat, which was filled to the brim with water during the rainy season. Its width was 190 m - such dimensions of the reservoir are not accidental, since it is a symbol of the oceans. In the west, the builders erected a stone dam, on top of which they paved the road leading to the temple - this entrance is central. You can also get into the territory of the temple from the east side along the earthen embankment.

Immediately behind the moat, the outer wall began, the length of which was 1024 m, the width was 802 meters, and the height was about 4.5 m. through which it was possible to get to the territory of the temple complex.

Near the tower on the south side there was a statue of Vishnu, and the largest group was installed from the central entrance, in the west, and consisted of three towers. All the towers were interconnected by patterned walls: in the west they are decorated with bas-reliefs depicting dancing figures, and in the east - men who dance on the backs of jumping animals, as well as beings with a divine nature, devatas.

Temple city from the inside

From the central city to the temple can be reached by a road, the length of which is 350 meters, along which there is a balustrade with sculptures of seven-headed snakes. Angkor Wat itself looks very interesting, as it consists of three square-shaped terraces located on top of each other, each of which is somewhat smaller than the previous one.

The first tier is located at a height of 3.5 meters, the second - seven, the third - thirteen. Due to the difference in height, the ancient masters managed to achieve an interesting effect: as you approach the temple, it not only increases in size, but also seems to grow.

The terraces are connected to each other by a huge number of stairs, and each level is surrounded by a gallery. The walls, located on the first tier, are decorated with two-meter bas-reliefs depicting mythology and everyday scenes from the life of the Khmers.

About two thousand sculptures of dancing celestials are depicted on the walls of the second tier - they all differ from each other: everyone has a different facial expression, different figures, decorations. According to archaeologists, total area sculptures and bas-reliefs created from sandstone, which depict scenes from Indian mythology, the history of the Khers, their gods are more than 2 thousand square meters. m.

The upper terrace is reached by an extremely steep staircase with narrow and high steps. There are five lotus-shaped towers here (outwardly, they very much resemble cones). Four towers are located at the corners, the highest, which depicts Mount Meru, is in the center. Its height is about forty-two meters, but since it is located on the third terrace, the total height of the temple is 65 meters.

History of the Temple City

In 1431, the army of the neighboring state of Siam, having attacked Angkor, completely destroyed the city, forcing the inhabitants to leave it - and the history of the existence of one of the largest settlements ancient world came to an end, and the jungle was securely covered with its vegetation, leaving the locals with only legends and various stories (however, it was not completely abandoned - Buddhist monks soon settled in it).

European travelers sometimes accidentally discovered it during their travels, but failing to turn it into a discovery of public interest, they retreated - and they forgot about the city again for a long time.

This continued until, in 1861, the Frenchman Henri Muo could not get to Angkor Wat, who, having instantly appreciated the find, was able to popularize it in the West - and a new milestone in the history of Angkor began: after he was freed from the jungle, he never ceased to attract the attention of not only scientists, archaeologists and researchers, but also a huge number of tourists.

In the 70s of the last century, a war broke out in the Kingdom of Cambodia - and archaeologists were forced to leave the country, and the temple complex ended up in the hands of the Khmer Rouge, communists who were especially cruel: having come to power, they were trying to build socialism in the country, they executed several million people. They did not forget to get to Angkor Wat - believing that the country should be freed from the influence of religion, they decapitated and mutilated almost all the sculptures where the gods were depicted.

Fortunately, the unique complex managed to survive - and in the early 90s, restoration work was resumed, and the city itself and the temple complex were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.