Angkor Temples Tours, Big Circuit (sunset optional)

Banteay Srei - Often regarded as the crown jewel of Angkorian Art, Banteay Srei is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, constructed in the 10th century. Carved from pinkish stone, it features some of the world’s finest stone carvings. Although one of the smallest sites at Angkor, its grandeur is unmatched. The temple is remarkably well-preserved, with many carvings in three dimensions. Banteay Srei was the first major temple restoration undertaken by the EFFEO in 1930 using the anastylosis method.

Banteay Samre - Built in the same era as Angkor Wat by Suryavarman II in the 12th century, Banteay Samre is dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Vishnu. The temple is well-preserved due to extensive renovations. Hidden behind Preah Dak village, it receives few visitors, making it an ideal spot for travelers seeking solitude and a peaceful exploration of the ruins.

Preah Khan - Preah Khan, meaning Sacred Sword, is one of Angkor’s largest complexes, featuring a maze of vaulted corridors, exquisite carvings, and lichen-covered stonework. Built by Jayavarman VII in the 12th century, this Buddhist temple sees fewer visitors than Ta Prohm. The central sanctuary was dedicated in 1191 AD, and a large stone stele provides insights into Preah Khan’s role as a center for worship and learning. The temple was dedicated to 515 divinities, hosting 18 festivals annually, requiring a large team for maintenance.

Neak Pean - Preah Neak Poan, or Intertwined Snake, is a small, perfect Buddhist temple built by Jayavarman VII on an artificial island in the manmade lake Jayatataka or North Baray. It features a large square pool surrounded by four smaller pools. At the center is a circular ‘island’ encircled by two Nagas, whose intertwined tails give the temple its name. Originally, four statues surrounded the central island, but only one remains, reconstructed by French archaeologists. The figure, a horse supported by human legs, relates to a legend of Avalokiteshvara saving shipwrecked followers. Water once flowed from the central pool into the peripheral pools via ornamental spouts, still visible in the pavilions, representing the four elements: water, wind, fire, and earth.

Ta Som - A satellite temple of Preah Khan, Ta Som was also built by Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. Though small, it is worth a quick visit. The eastern gate features a large head with four faces in the style of Lord Brahma, symbolizing the Buddhist divine Avalokiteshvara, the lord of compassion, covered by a giant fig tree.

Eastern Mebon - Constructed by Rajendravarman II (r 944-68), Eastern Mebon is a Hindu temple that once stood on an islet in the center of the Eastern Baray (water reservoir) but is now on dry land. The temple-mountain form is topped by a quincuncial arrangement of towers. The elaborate brick shrines have neatly arranged holes for the original plasterwork. The temple’s base is guarded by well-preserved stone elephant figures.

Pre Rup - Built by Rajendravarman II in the 10th century, Pre Rup is located about 1 km south of Eastern Mebon. Like its predecessor, it features a pyramid-shaped temple-mountain with three tiers topped by five lotus towers. The brick sanctuaries were once adorned with plaster, remnants of which remain on the southern tower. Pre Rup, meaning ‘turn the body,’ refers to a traditional cremation method. After burning, priests would flatten the ashes and draw a human figure, believing a perfect drawing ensured a perfect body in the next life. Pre Rup is a popular choice for sunset viewing (optional).

Angkor Temples Tours, Small Circuit

Angkor Wat - Built by Suryavarman II in the 12th century to honor Lord Vishnu, Angkor Wat is the largest and most breathtaking monument of Angkor, believed to be the world’s largest religious structure. It is a stunning blend of spirituality and symmetry, showcasing man’s devotion to his gods. The initial approach is unforgettable, as the spine-tingling moment of emerging on the inner causeway is rarely matched. Angkor Wat is the best-preserved temple at Angkor. Unique among Angkor’s temples, it is oriented westward, symbolically the direction of death, leading many scholars to believe it served primarily as a tomb.

Phnom Bakheng - Constructed by Yasovarman I in the early 10th century, Phnom Bakheng is home to the first temple-mountain built near Angkor. The temple-mountain has five tiers and seven levels, including the base and summit. Originally, 44 towers stood at the base, with 12 towers on each tier. The summit features four towers at the cardinal points and a central sanctuary. These numbers hold symbolic significance, with the seven levels representing the seven Hindu Heavens and the total number of towers, excluding the central sanctuary, being 108, an auspicious number correlating to the lunar calendar. It is an easy 20-minute hike to the hilltop.

Angkor Thom - Angkor Thom, meaning Great City, was the last city of Angkor, built by Jayavarman VII. At its peak, it supported a population of one million in the surrounding region. Centered on the Bayon, Angkor Thom is enclosed by an 8m high, 12 km long square wall and surrounded by a 100m-wide moat. The city has five massive gates, one on each northern, western, and southern wall, and two on the eastern wall. The gates, 20m high, are adorned with stone elephant trunks and crowned by four colossal faces of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, facing the cardinal points. In front of each gate stand giant statues of 54 gods and 54 demons, inspired by the story of The Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Angkor Thom also features the remarkable temples Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and the terraces of the Leper King and Elephants.

Ta Prohm - Ta Prohm is the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor and a must-visit for all travelers. Its allure lies in its jungle-swallowed appearance, reminiscent of how most Angkor monuments appeared when first discovered by European explorers. Built in 1186 and originally known as Rajavihara (Monastery of the King), Ta Prohm was a Buddhist temple dedicated to Jayavarman VII’s mother. It is one of the few temples in Angkor with inscriptions detailing its dependents and inhabitants, with about 12,000 people living within its compound.

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