Raksha Rao - The Roving Heart
Raksha Rao

I am a passionate traveler, photographer and an engineer by profession. I have always loved new travel experiences. However, it reached a whole new level when I took off for a Himalayan trek in May 2015 - it made me realise how totally gratifying travel can be. Since then, I have traveled near and far, as much as I can,  always looking for new and immersive adventures.

Be it trekking on snow in the mighty Himalayan range, bungee jumping with a river view in Rishikesh, cliff jumping or scuba diving in the emerald blue waters of Thailand, high-altitude river rafting at the freezing cold rivers of Zanskar in Leh - my propensity for new experiences is ever growing as is my wishlist.

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Siem Reap Angkor Wat Temples: Crown Jewel of Cambodia

posted by Raksha Rao
Last updated on May 3, 2021, 4914 0
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Siem Reap Angkor Wat Temples: Crown Jewel of Cambodia

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No matter how many photos of Angkor Wat I had come across before, nothing came close to the incredible experience of watching the sunrise at the temple, firsthand. Albeit, with thousands of tourists dashing through to watch the sunrise at 5 AM being a mood killer, the aura of the spectacular structure of the temple more than makes up for it.

Additional Read: If you’d like to know all that Siem Reap has to offer or find out the BEST places to stay in Siem Reap, check out – Places to visit in Siem Reap

Table of Contents

  • Siem Reap Angkor Wat temples
  • Phnom Bakheng temple
  • Angkor Wat
  • Bayon temple
  • Ta Prohm
  •  Banteay Kdei
  • Prasat Kravan
  • Visiting Angkor Wat in Siem Reap

Siem Reap Angkor Wat temples

The sunrise at the Angkor Wat, the land of smiling Buddha’s at Bayon, the root entwined structure at Ta Phrom, majestic sunset at Phnom Bakheng left me spellbound and I was in awe of the magnificent architecture of the Khmer empire – with monuments, bas-reliefs and the edifice standing testimony to its rich heritage.

Most of the temples are now in ruins after being subjected to harsh tests of time. Consequently, it is now undergoing restoration and is at different stages in different temples.

The city of Angkor where all of these temples are located was once the capital of the Khmer Empire. Evidently, in the past, the population of the city is said to have reached one million. That figure, in consequence, makes it the largest city in the world before the Industrial Revolution.

It has over thousand temples, ranging from brick rubble to the most preserved ones, each with its own history. And, most of the major temples date back to 12th – 13th century. So, it can be overwhelming at times to witness the ruins of these ancient temples and wonder what it would have been in all its glory.

Our temple guide told us about the fascinating history of the Angkor temples and the gruesome tyranny Cambodia witnessed just 40 years ago. The consequences of the fascism can still be witnessed to this day. As a result, the economy and the community of Cambodia has taken a major hit.

Find latest prices for Angkor Temple Complex Sunrise Tour for Small Groups.

For those who would like to explore the city biking – find latest prices for Angkor Temple Complex 9 hour bike tour.

Phnom Bakheng temple

Phnom Bekang temple siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Phnom Bekhang siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
During sunset

A popular spot for sunset views of the much bigger temple Angkor Wat. Located on top of a hill, it is a Hindu and Buddhist temple in the form of a temple mountain. Built at the end of the 9th century, Phnom Bakheng is, however, one of the most threatened monuments in the temple complex. However, the ravages of time have a taken a toll on its structure. So, taking measures to preserve the temple only 300 people are allowed to enter it at any given time.

Tips for visitors You can earn a free visit to the temples for the current day if you buy temple pass for the next day after 4.45PM. Popular choice is to visit Phnom Bakheng for sunset after 4.45PM.

Angkor Wat

siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Angkor wat temple, Siem Reap
siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Beautiful architecture at Angkor Wat Temple, Siem Reap
siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Unusual to Siem Reap, it was really cold that day.
siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Angkor-wat-temples
siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Angkor wat temple, Siem Reap
Bas reliefs siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Bas reliefs at Angkor wat temple, Siem Reap
siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Blend of Buddhism and hinduism at Angkor Wat temple, Siem Reap
siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Sunrise at Angkor wat temple, Siem Reap
Bas reliefs siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Bas reliefs at Angkor wat temple, Siem Reap

Angkor Wat temple was first a Hindu, later a Buddhist temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world. Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings, it is instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple on the site, it is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. Furthermore, it represents Cambodia on a global level, appears on its national flag, and it is the country’s prime attraction for visitors.

The main temple zone is divided into 3 floors – hell, earth and heaven including 398 rooms with stone carved on ceilings. Apparently, Angkor Wat has a lot of semblances in terms of architecture to the other Hindu temples. As a result, Ramayana and Mahabharata – two well known Hindu epics have been depicted throughout the temples.

The portrayal of the Samudra Mathana(churning of the sea) to produce amrutha (drink of immortality) especially caught my attention. All throughout the temples, there are more than 1796 depictions of devatas(mainly apsaras). And, I felt like I was right back in India on a Hindu pilgrimage tour. However, since Buddhist installations were made once it was converted to a Buddhist temple, it’s now a fusion of both cultures.

Bayon temple

Bayon temple siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat

Bayon temple siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Many facets at Bayon temple, Cambodia
Bayon temple siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
One of the many faces at Bayon temple

The Bayon temple is a major attraction of the Angkor Thom complex, which is even larger than the Angkor Wat complex. Hailing from India and having paid a visit to my share of Hindu temples, I could see right from the start that Bayon had no semblances to the Hindu temples. All the towers had stone-carved faces on either one or all sides of them. Ranging from the happy face, smirking face to the all-knowing, omniscient face – I found it all quite amusing.

Ta Prohm

Ta Thom siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat

Ta Phrom siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Ta Phrom temple, famously known as the Tomb Raider temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Ta Phrom siem reap cambodia, siem reap angkor wat
Ruins at Ta Phrom temple, famously known as the Tomb Raider temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Ta Prohm, famous among tourists as The Tomb Raider temple was founded as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university. Unlike other Angkor temples, Ta Prohm is pretty much in ruins and only a small part of the temple is now restored. Seems like the soaring high trees have grown right over the structure and has claimed the temple to itself. Consequently, the trunks and roots are entwined with the structure and make it feel one with the temple. Time and again, you can witness people worshipping at a small section of these temples.

Fun Fact Paramount Pictures paid $10,000 a day for shooting one week at this temple for the Tomb Raider movie released in 2003. The movie also features parts of Angkor Wat and Bayon temples.

 Banteay Kdei

Banteay Kdei meaning A Citadel of Chambers is a Buddhist temple in the Bayon architectural style. Almost similar in plan to Ta Prohm and Preah Khan but less complex and smaller.

Prasat Kravan

Prasat Kravan
(source)

Prasat Kravan is a small 10th-century temple consisting of five reddish brick towers on a common terrace. And, dedicated to Vishnu in the 10th century – according to an inscription on door jambs.

Visiting Angkor Wat in Siem Reap


It is possible to cover Angkor wat in a day if you’d just like to visit the highlights as part of the small circuit tour. The small tour circuit comprises of Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Phrom, Banteay Kdei and Prasat Kravan temples. If time is a constraint,  you can probably skip Banteay Kdei since it’s similar to Ta Phrom. However, rest of the temples in the small circuit are unique and offers a different view of the Khmer architecture.

Tuk-tuk drivers usually charge $15-$20 per day for the small circuit. In addition, group guides cost about $30-$35 per day for all of these temples. Also, taxis are available. Rent cycles if you are keen to venture out on their own. However, it could get hot and tiresome for a single day, small circuit tour. You are warned!

Procure a temple pass to visit the Angkor temples which come in one day, three days and a seven-day pass. If your idea of a temple visit is just visiting the main temples of Angkor, then one day pass would suffice and it costs $20.  Three days and seven-day pass cost $40 and $60 for one week and one month as validity respectively.

Have you ever visited the historic Siem Reap Angkor Wat temples? Let me know in the comments below.

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Hola! I’m Raksha Rao, the founder and Chief Editor of The Roving Heart and I heartily welcome you to this blog!

I’m perpetually in search of the next trip, next adventure and forever aching to fly far away to a land of strangers.

Come follow me on my journey and I promise you to take you on an adventure!

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