Angkor Wat in Cambodia is a national treasure of the Khmers. Angkor: history and guide to Khmer temples All about the temple complex in cambodia

Once upon a time I read in a beautiful picture book about an ancient temple in the middle of the jungle. And I had a dream to see Angkor - an amazing temple complex built in the period from the 9th to the 13th centuries by the ancient Khmers. This ancient architectural structure is both the main attraction of Cambodia and its pride. located a few kilometers from the city of Siem Reap. They are popular among tourists from all over the world and each of them wants to visit Angkor Wat - the largest Hindu temple in the world and a real treasure of the Khmer Empire. To look at them, I came to Cambodia three times in different times, and each time I discovered something new for myself.

What is Angkor?

Angkor- This is an area in Cambodia, in which numerous ruins of the temples of the ancient Khmer Empire are concentrated, which flourished at the beginning of the last millennium. It contains entire constellations of ancient Khmer cities, which combine a variety of architectural styles. Each of the temple cities is connected to the other, and at the same time they are independent and are different stages in the development of the empire. Some temples (for example) were forgotten immediately after the overthrow of the king who built them, others ceased to have value after another form of construction was found, like the unfinished Ta Keo. But each of them is unique.

The central part of the territory of Angkor is city ​​of angkor thom, surrounded by a deep moat with water and walls 8 meters high and 3 kilometers long. There was a huge palace built under Jayavarman VII, in which the king and people close to him lived, as well as temples and important government institutions. The most famous of them are the Bayon Temple, the terraces of the elephants and the leper king, as well as the Royal Palace and the temple-mountain Bapuon located next to it.

Basic information:

Where is Angkor and how to get there

Angkor is located in Cambodia, north of the lake near the city of Siem Reap. It is located on a flat area, like the ancient city, among fields and forests south of the Kulen plateau. GPS coordinates of Angkor: 13° 26′ 0″ N, 103° 50′ 0″ E. The dimensions of Angkor are amazing, its length is 24 kilometers from west to east and 8 kilometers from north to south.

Get to Angkor can be done in several ways:

Angkor Wat on the map of Southeast Asia

What is the Angkor Temple Complex?

Angkor temple complex is an architecturally unique collection of temples made of stone (mainly sandstone and laterite), differing in shape: temple-mountain, temple at ground level, Angkor Wat (a unique combination of temple-mountain and temple at ground level), temple-monasteries , as well as the huge cities of Angkor Thom and Koh Ker. The complex of temples was built by the Khmer civilization in the period from the 9th to the 12th century on the territory of modern Cambodia. The main attraction of the temple complex is the temple of Angkor Wat, covering an area of ​​2.5 km2. And Banteay Srei, built in 967, is considered the most beautiful temple of Angkor, according to many travelers, and this is especially noticeable in the morning rays of the rising sun.

Pink sunrise and Angkor Wat temple silhouette

- these are amazing Khmer ceremonial structures that are not similar to each other. They are combined into a grandiose temple complex in terms of scope and historical significance, built during the reign of the Khmer Empire (IX-XVI centuries).

It will take several days to see all the temples of Angkor, as the archaeological park covers an area of ​​​​about 200 km 2. The most famous of the temples is Angkor Wat, and the neighboring Angkor Thom and Bayon are known as the most outstanding architectural monuments of the Khmer Empire, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Basic information about the temples of Angkor:

temple mountain- This is a ceremonial structure on the territory of modern Cambodia in the form of a stepped pyramid, personifying Mount Meru and fully embodying the cosmogony of Hinduism. It was dedicated to the god Shiva, was the center of religious life among the ancient Khmers and the repository of the royal linga. This form of the temples of Angkor was characteristic of the beginning of the heyday of the Khmer civilization (from the 9th to the 10th century). The ditch around represents the ocean in which the earth is located, the walls of the temple are mountain ranges, and the second ditch is considered the sea. Examples of a temple-mountain are Bakong, Phnom Bakheng, and the Ta Keo temple, also part of the Angkor temple complex, was never completed.

Temple at ground level- Khmer type of temples dedicated to the ancestors, a characteristic feature of which are massive platforms at the base, as well as rich sculptural decoration of stairs, facades and passages and skillfully carved stone pediments. A real masterpiece of such carving was the design of the temple of Banteay Srei. This form of temple construction was also characteristic of the first half of the existence of the Khmer empire. Preah Koh is said to be the first ground level temple, followed by Prasat Kravan and Lo Lei.

During the construction of Angkor Wat in the 12th century, Khmer engineering tried to embody both of these temple forms in one structure, and the result was temple-mountain at ground level. This time is considered the golden age of Khmer architecture. There were other attempts to build a similar engineering and architectural masterpiece, as a result of which Beng Melia and Banteay Samre appeared in the temple complex of Angkor.

Temples-monasteries- These are huge ceremonial structures that occupy a vast territory as part of the Angkor temple complex in Cambodia. They were mostly built under King Jayavarman VII (a supporter of Mahayana Buddhism) and were surrounded by numerous buildings richly decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures. The most famous temple-monasteries are Ta Prohm and Preah Khan.

angkor wat in cambodia

Angkor Wat- This is the main temple of the huge complex of Angkor. It was built in the XII century and became the pearl of the Khmer architectural style - a balance was finally found between cosmology, between politics, architecture and people's capabilities. And now Angkor Wat still amazes people with its sophistication and it is its five lotus towers that adorn the coat of arms of Cambodia.

Angkor Wat is located next to Siem Reap, and all the routes that tuk-tuk drivers offer tourists pass through it. So, when you come to Siem Reap, you will definitely see it!

Angkor Wat on the map

Basic information about Angkor Wat in Cambodia:

Routes around Angkor

A visit to Angkor should be carefully prepared, because there are many temples, and all of them are interesting in their own way. First of all, it is necessary to draw up a route, deciding which of the temples of the huge temple complex will be included in it and which will not. Fortunately, travelers and tukers in Siem Reap have long since solved this problem.

What is the big and small circle of Angkor

is an inspection of the main attractions of the temple complex, built during the power of the Khmer Empire. During an organized tour, tourists who come to the city of Siem Reap, which is located near Angkor Wat, are accommodated in hotels, and during the day they visit ancient temples. Self-guided tour to Angkor is more popular among travelers. There is nothing complicated about how to organize it. To do this, you need to hire a transport with a driver in Siem Reap, who will take you from one inspection site to another, or you can rent a bicycle or motorbike in the city and ride yourself.

It is possible to come to Angkor from neighboring countries. A very popular tour from Pattaya to Cambodia, during which an organized group with a Russian-speaking guide is brought by bus to Siem Reap for 1-2 days to show the main attraction - Angkor Wat. There are also excursions from Ho Chi Minh City and Sihanoukville.

The most interesting thing that awaits you during an excursion to Angkor:

• Go watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat
• Admire the many-faced Bayon temple, whose faces, in different lighting conditions, are either smiling or sad
• Visit the ruins of Ta Prohm from Lara Croft: Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie
• Soar over Angkor in a hot air balloon
• You can ride an elephant to Mount Bakeng and watch the sunset there
• Buy souvenirs, knitwear and black pepper at the market
• Go to the evening Apsara dance show

Hotels in Siem Reap

Upon arrival, first of all, you need to stay in a pre-booked hotel or find it with the help of a tuker, who will certainly offer his help in exchange for a promise to take you to the sights of Angkor. There are a lot of hotels in Siem Reap - for every taste and budget: cheap guesthouses for $10 and expensive villas for $100 or more.

• Important: all the details about the city of Siem Reap and what hotels there are,

You can compare prices for hotels in Siem Reap and choose the most suitable one right here:

How to watch Angkor - all options

Apart from an organized bus ride to Angkor or hiring a tuk tuk with driver in Siem Reap, there are several other options. Starting in 2016, it became possible to view the temple complex on a rented motorbike or electric bike. This is the most important innovation and it concerns mainly independent travelers.

• The first thing that catches your eye when walking around Siem Reap is the rows of new motorbikes. Now they are rented out to everyone! So there was an opportunity independently explore the temples of Angkor on a motorbike. Previously, the tuk-tuk guild was against tourists moving around the temple complex on their own (unless no one touched the cyclists, they just waved their hand at them!). But now tukers have lost some of their audience. You can rent a motorbike on any street - prices are from 12 to 20 dollars. From an enterprising Chinese, the owner of a souvenir shop, we took a motorbike, which is convenient to ride together. Initially, he rented for $15 (in other offices he went for $20), but we bargained for $13. And the bike was good, Japanese, new and powerful. And the number on this bike was capital. Motobike is, of course, real freedom for independent travelers who have either already been to Siem Reap and roughly represent the territory of the archaeological park, or for independent and courageous people who need only a map or navigator for adventures.
• Bicycles are also rented - the price is from a dollar to two a day, depending on the place. We rented from our hotel and paid $1.50 for one day, and if we rode two days or more, the price would drop to a dollar a day. In addition, cycling tours of the temples of Angkor with a guide are now in vogue. Indeed, in Europe it is customary to ride bicycles, why deny yourself this on vacation? And the whole company, 5-10 people each, hires a guide, sits down on bicycles and rides together between the temples. How much they pay the guide for his torment, I can’t even imagine.
• There is also a new option - electric bikes. But, they say, they are still low-power, slow and they have weak batteries. That is, they will fit to ride around the city of Siem Reap. But it’s better not to ride them to temples, otherwise who knows who else will carry whom ... The price of electric bikes is $10. On the roads, we even sometimes saw green signs where you can charge your electric bike for free. How it works in reality is not tested on myself. We rode an electric bike around Bagan at the time, and decided that, subject to certain rules, an electric bike is quite useful when visiting the countless pagodas of Bagan. About our e-bike rental experience in Bagan.
• Tuk Tukers there are still a lot and they are happy to offer their services and take you around the temples of Angkor. Read about how important it is to choose a good tuker. By the way, as we found out, tuk-tuk is the name for tourists. But the Cambodians themselves call their carts with a motorcycle - remork.
• angkor wat hot air balloon. There is also the opportunity to view the main temple of Angkor from a bird's eye view. You can go up in a hot air balloon for $20.

Nice bikes for rent

Motobikes are also now available for rent

Tuk-tuk prices in Siem Rim

Here are approximately these prices you can navigate in 2016-2017 on excursions to Angkor Wat

Tickets to Angkor

The cost of tickets for visiting the temples of Angkor has not changed for many years.

• 1 day - $37
• 3 days - $62 (ticket valid for 10 days)
• 7 days - $72 (valid for a month)

Tickets - nominal, more precisely "facial". They have your instant photo taken by the cashier at the sale, they cannot be shared with other people.

The availability of tickets is now checked at every temple, and they look not only for their validity period, but also often compare your appearance with the photo on the ticket. The caretakers at the entrance put a mark every day that you have already visited the park today, so that you can’t cheat and walk on a three-day ticket for more days.

You can skip days and visit the temples of Angkor at a convenient time. During the day, you can enter and leave the park as many times as you like. At the first visit, the workers of the archaeological park will still note that you have already been there that day.

What else you need to know about Angkor

Rules for visiting Angkor:

• Working hours. All temples open at 7:30 am and close at 5:30 pm. Before and after tourists are not allowed into the territory of the temples. The exceptions are Angkor Wat, which opens at 5 am so that travelers have the opportunity to meet the dawn here, and Pre Rup and Phnom Bakeng are open from 5.00 to 19.00. Here you can watch both sunrise and sunset. But in fact, almost everyone goes to meet the dawn in Angkor Wat, and at sunset they gather on Bakeng Hill. It is worth adding that guards are on duty near each of the temples, so it is unlikely that it will be possible to easily enter at the wrong time.
• Dress code. The temples of Angkor are not active, so you can walk around the territory in shoes that should be comfortable, because in the heat the stones become very hot. However, in flip-flops walking up the stairs will be extremely inconvenient. It is better to choose clothes that are light and comfortable, but not overly open.
• Be careful on stairs. Some temples, especially Ta Keo, with its steep and high stairs, are worth visiting with caution. Keep your hands free when you're on ladders so you can always grab on. Be as vigilant as possible and look under your feet!
• Mines in Cambodia. Do not forget that Cambodia experienced a terrible civil war just a few decades ago, and not all of its lands are freed from mines. Areas near Phnom Kulen Mountain, the Kbal Spean River and the Koh Ker Pyramid are still mined. Don't stray off the hiking trails and don't ignore the "Danger! Mines!" This is not a joke or a prank.
• Drink water. Always take enough drinking water with you!

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:

• each temple is beautiful at different times of the day: 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.

Read about how to choose cheap accommodation abroad when traveling on your own in 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 wrote about the rental of the main modes of transport, as well as about public transport in 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. Ankhgor Wat is an amazing architectural structure, which is created without any mixtures (fastening materials), stone blocks are adjusted so that they stick to 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 a good guide, even more, but you will also 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 by 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 amazing country. Do not be afraid . You just need to take a small step.

Angkor Wat- the greatest temple complex in Cambodia with an area of ​​\u200b\u200babout 200 hectares and a height of 65 meters, built by the ancient Khmers in the 12th century. The temple of Angkor Wat is one of the most recognizable monuments of Hindu architecture in the world, which attracts millions of tourists every year. I have wanted to see it with my own eyes ever since I heard about Angkor in Cambodia from an experienced travel friend. Located near the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia, it is the country's most significant landmark, and a schematic representation of the turrets of the main temple adorns any emblem in Cambodia, including the national flag. And the Khmer temple of Angkor Wat itself is recognized as one of the new wonders of the world.

Long before my first trip to Cambodia, I studied in detail the history of the construction of Angkor Wat, and then, of course, my husband and I went to the Khmer country and saw it in all its glory. We did not book a tour, we just bought plane tickets and flew in on our own. And we liked it there so much that we returned more than once to discover new and interesting details on the territory of the main temple complex of Angkor every time. And now I will tell you in detail about visiting the main shrine of the Khmers, about the construction of Angkor Wat and the details that you need to pay attention to during the visit.

And I'll start by defining what Angkor Wat is.

What is Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is a Hindu temple of the 12th century dedicated to the god Vishnu, the main attraction of Cambodia and one of the world's archaeological masterpieces, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is located 6 kilometers north of the city of Siem Reap on the territory of the Angkor temple complex. Its name literally means "temple city", because the word "angkor" from the Khmer language is translated as "city".

According to Hindu cosmogony, Angkor Wat symbolizes the sacred Mount Meru - the place where the gods live - surrounded by mountains and the ocean. The architectural plan of the city combines elements that depict a heavenly city, as if transferred to earth. In this, the main Khmer temple of Angkor Wat is similar to the temple.

Basic information:

Interesting fact: Angkor Wat is a symbol of Khmer national pride and has been featured on the Cambodian flag since 1863.

View of Angkor Wat from above. Photo by Cambodian photographer Sok Sothy (A Sok Sothy picture)

I will especially note that Siem Reap is very conveniently located for visiting the Angkor Wat temple complex and it has all the conditions for the convenience of tourists coming from all over the world.

The history of Angkor Wat is closely linked to the rise of the Khmer kingdom in the 12th century. I have read several books on the history and architecture of the Khmers, and now I will briefly tell you about the most important thing - the construction of the brilliant temple complex of Angkor Wat.

The boom in the construction of temples in Cambodia occurred due to the combination of Indian traditions nurtured on Cambodian soil mixed with Javanese. This effect immediately singled out the Khmers among their neighbors. They began to build temples of two types:

1. temple mountain in the form of a stepped pyramid, dedicated to Shiva;
2. Temple at ground level to honor ancestors.

By honing their architectural skills and sometimes combining the incompatible or creating something unique, the inhabitants of the Angkor Empire came to the conclusion that the temple-mountain in form and content became irrelevant, and they focused on creating temples at ground level.

Who built Angkor Wat - historical background

Vishnu statue at Angkor Wat

To figure out who built Angkor Wat, let's first look at history. At the beginning of the 11th century, grandiose changes reigned in the Khmer political arena. Suryavarman I was more inclined towards Buddhism - whether for personal preference or for political reasons - but he began to introduce Buddhist elements into the construction of temples. Thus, the power of the Brahmins was balanced, who by this time felt their power so that they built their own temple -.

Suryavarman conquered Dvaravati, a Buddhist state in central Thailand, and his successors seemed to no longer live in Angkor, because for a long time no new Khmer temples appeared. But Phimai was erected (on the territory of modern eastern Thailand), as if the center of power had temporarily shifted there.

So when Suryavarman II reigned on the Khmer throne, it was necessary to take decisive measures and return the center to where it belonged, as it was conceived at the dawn of the formation of the empire. The king fought and built. The Khmer Empire occupied a huge size, and Angkor Wat began to take on its usual shape.

All in history Khmer Empire talks about progressive development, about the method of trial and error. Maybe this is what makes it different from many other ancient civilizations, where construction technology appeared immediately, and then deteriorated over time, until it was completely lost. In Egypt, there were no centuries of teaching, there were no courses for pyramid builders. In Peru and Bolivia, the most impressive achievements are the most ancient, such as or. Then comes the era of imitators. But in Cambodia, the process of consistent development and honing of architectural skills is clearly visible.

angkor wat

So, in the courtyard of the middle of the XII century - the heyday of the Khmer empire, and in Cambodia is being built angkor wat temple. Dedicated to Vishnu, it eventually became a Buddhist temple-monastery. First the sanctuary of the god and the palace of the king, then the tomb of its creator.

Combining all the advanced building techniques and architectural craftsmanship, Angkor Wat has become a unique combination - a temple-mountain at ground level. What did not work out in Jayavarman IV at Koh Ker, Suryavarman II was able to achieve. He built built an earthly version of the heavenly city. The result was a huge temple complex, which raised it up to the gods - a three-stage pyramid and the highest tower rise to 60 meters! The Khmers even have a legend about this, which says that Indra gave Angkor Wat to his human son so that he would not miss the heavenly city.

Schematic of the Angkor Wat temple. Photo from the book “Angkor. The Greatness of the Khmer Civilization" by Marilia Albanese

Interestingly, all Khmer temples usually face east, while the facade of Angkor Wat faces west. The western direction can be explained by various reasons: the west is the direction of Vishnu and a favorable location in relation to the previous capital. They began to look at each other. If the Khmers built the temple of Angkor Wat with a facade to the east, then it would stand, as if turning away from the past. And the Khmer believe in karma. Maybe that's why Angkor Wat survived the entire history of Cambodia - the change of religion, power and God knows what else. One way or another, he was reborn and became the face of the country.

From Angkor, roads stretched to all other temples in the form of an endless serpent. The tradition of the Nagas, which came from India, was entrenched, the Khmer snakes became a symbol of the rainbow, the connection of earth and sky. Therefore, it was the rainbow that connected the cities with the heavenly Angkor. We saw nagas back in Bagkong, but now they have become much more refined.

Cities of Angkor on the map and ancient Khmer roads to them

Naga snakes meet at the eastern entrance to Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat - photos and details

And now I will tell you about the main thing - how best to see Angkor Wat.

• The first time we visited Angkor Wat, we came to the western entrance. It seems to me that it is best to do just that - after all, then the turrets of the main prasat will gradually appear before your eyes as you walk along the stone road through the canal.
• Then there will be galleries, so long that you want to walk there for a long time. But they divert attention. After the first galleries, a huge temple area appears. Along the way, we entered lonely standing libraries on the right and left.
• And only at the end does Angkor Wat itself appear. How long one would not want to stand and admire it, but one must go inside, because the details of the Hindu temple are as curious as its appearance.

All roads and architectural elements in the Angkor Wat complex lead to the central prasat of the temple, which rises above everything and is the home of Vishnu. The temple was built with visual perception in mind. And when you examine it correctly, you understand the architects' idea.

Some unresolved technical problems in the construction of Angkor Wat still remain, for example, with stepped vaults. However, we can safely say that the Khmer Empire created a masterpiece of architecture, raising architectural excellence to an unattainable level.

Let's wander around this unusual place and admire the most important monument of Hindu architecture Angkor Wat in the photo.

Eastern entrance to Angkor. From here, despite the fact that this is not the most popular entrance, it is best to start exploring the monument if you are not visiting Angkor for the first time. Come in the morning - at this time the walls of the temple are very well lit.

The charming turrets of the Angkor Wat temple complex look especially stunning in the setting sun.

The charming turrets of Angkor Wat look especially stunning in the sunset.

The connected galleries, which first appeared in, surrounded the main temple of the Khmer Empire from all sides. And Banteay Srei shared rich bas-reliefs. And in the case of Angkor Wat, the scriptural scenes took up a much larger surface. Scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the reign of Suryavarman II and Vishnu - all achievements are embodied in one place. The king is equated with the gods, his deeds are compared with the heroic deeds sung in poems, his wars are compared with great battles. The bas-reliefs end with the story of the last battle, the Battle of Kurukshetra.

Stone drawings on the bas-reliefs make it possible to touch something ancient, and the size of the panel, which stretches over the entire length of the gallery, is truly amazing!

The walls of Angkor Wat are decorated with scenes from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, skillfully carved in stone.

The walls of the temple are also decorated with figures of celestial apsara dancers, which invariably attract the attention of tourists. Apsaras peek out literally from every wall. Some of them are more popular than others - this can be seen from the zeal with which travelers stroke the stone maidens, trying to enlist their support and catch their luck.

There are always a lot of Buddhist monks in Angkor Wat. And tourists are happy to take pictures of them against the backdrop of the walls of an ancient temple.

It is important to know: Do not forget that before you take a photo with a monk, you must always politely ask him about it. Women should not touch the monks in any case!

It is more convenient to leave Angkor Wat through the same western gate in order to once again walk past the galleries and libraries, turn around several times and remember Angkor Wat.

My tips for visiting the Angkor Wat temple complex:

• For the first time, it is still better to see Angkor Wat from the western entrance and it is better to do it in the afternoon, otherwise the sun will beat right in your face while you go towards the main prasat.
• If you stay in Siem Reap for a couple or more days and Angkor Wat impresses you so much that you want to return, then come here for the second time early in the morning and start exploring from the east side.
• And of course, one day it is worth coming here at dawn, to the western entrance.

If you have two or three days to Angkor, then it is best to plan your first day like this. In the morning it is worth meeting the sunrise at Angkor Wat, then have breakfast and go to get acquainted with other temples, and in the late afternoon return to Angkor and wander around it.

How to get thereto Angkor Wat in Cambodia

Getting to Angkor Wat is very easy. The complex is located not very far from the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia. Therefore, you first need to think about exactly how to get to Cambodia.

• The simplest way is come by plane. Flights from all Asian countries fly to Siem Reap - from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia. Usually, tourists come from Thailand to see Angkor - on their own or as part of an excursion from Pattaya.
• Personally, we went to Angkor Wat several times on our own. by public transport from Phnom Penh and from Bangkok. Read about all the difficulties of the road. If such difficulties are of no use to you, then it is better to fly.

If you have already arrived in Siem Reap, then there is also several ways to get to Angkor Wat:

• First, you can. This is the easiest way, although not very comfortable, but almost all tourists do this. In order not to build a route on your own, you can simply hire a person who will take you to Angkor Wat and other temples of Angkor for a fee throughout the day. It is very easy to do this right on Siem Reap Street, at a travel agency or at your hotel.
• Secondly, you can rent a motorbike, bicycle or electric bike - this is a convenient option for independent and experienced travelers, which implies that you need to know where and how the temples are located relative to each other. Many people are afraid to go to see the temples of Angkor on their own, mistakenly thinking that it is impossible to do this or fearing a fine. So, somewhere since 2016, there are no problems to drive yourself to the territory of Angkor on the transport that you rented. There will be no penalties for this. But don't forget to park your bike in a safe place and, just in case, block the wheel with a special lock so that no one leaves on your two-wheeled friend.

So, you have reached Angkor. What's next? As for Angkor Wat, it is the first temple that tourists come across after entering through the main entrance to the territory of the archaeological complex on the way from Siem Reap. By the way, there are two routes for studying the temples of Angkor that have been established over the years -. Angkor Wat falls into both routes.

Ticket prices for Angkor Wat not so high compared to

• If you buy a ticket to Angkor for one day and see only Angkor Wat, then its price is $37. Such a ticket is worth buying only if you have arrived only for one day. By the way, with this ticket you can also see all the nearby temples of Angkor and Banteay Srey.
• The price of a ticket to Angkor is 3 days higher - $62 per person. It used to be cheaper, but nothing lasts forever, and prices for Cambodia's main attraction have also increased since February 1, 2017. This is the most popular entry ticket option among tourists. If you are planning to watch the temples of Angkor for only two days, it is more profitable to buy a three-day ticket.
• There is also a ticket for a week for $ 72, which gives an excellent opportunity to watch Angkor Wat and other temples of Angkor (far and near) for 7 days a month.

Tickets are bought at a special place at the box office in front of the entrance to the Angkor temple complex. The cashier will take a picture of you and immediately print a personalized ticket with your photo. This way, only you will be able to use your ticket to Angkor, and no one will be able to transfer it. Please note that the queues for tickets for one day (which is not photographed) and for three days or a week are different.

Angkor Wat Temple Complex Visiting Hours:

Unlike other temples of Angkor, the temple complex of Angkor Wat opens earlier and closes later than others. Therefore, it is worth starting and ending your visit to Angkor here.

• Angkor Wat temple opening hours: daily from 5:00 to 19:00.

Firstly, we must immediately stipulate that we really liked Angkor Wat. That is why we have been here three times already. Every time we visit Cambodia, we definitely visit Angkor Wat.

This was the first Khmer temple we saw since we arrived here right at dawn. A very grandiose sight - the red sun rises over the turrets of Angkor Wat. We immediately advise everyone to meet the dawn at Angkor Wat, despite the fact that it is very crowded there, especially in winter and spring, when the tourist season is high and Chinese tourists come here in droves.

You can also try to come at sunset, (especially if you are not for one day), and spend one of the evenings on the territory of the Angkor Wat complex.

• Sunrise at Angkor Wat spectators are brought to 6.00. But it's better to be here by 5.30 - and in order to take a place among other photographers, and the first lightnings are also very beautiful. Take a flashlight with you.
• Sunset at Angkor Wat arrives around 6:00 pm. But, as with the sunset, it would be wiser to be earlier. In addition, at 16.00 the best light and you can take pictures of the temple itself, and then meet the sunset.

Secondly, Angkor Wat is the most famous temple of the ancient Khmers. An interesting fact is that it was here that the Placebo concert was recorded and some scenes from the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie were filmed here. The American actress also returned to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat to shoot her own film First They Killed My Father, based on the autobiography of Ung Luong, a Cambodian woman who survived.

Thirdly, this is a unique historical monument, the ruins of which can give an idea of ​​bygone centuries. Compared to, which are understandable only in the complex, Angkor Wat can be viewed without getting to know other temples of Angkor, if there is no time. But I would, of course, recommend visiting as many different Angkorian temples as possible while traveling to Cambodia.

Of course, wandering through the stone ruins is quite difficult when you don’t really understand why all these buildings were erected. And the weather in Cambodia is usually either very hot or humid and stuffy. For example, for the first time we did not understand much at all. Upon arrival at Angkor Wat, we all thought that now we would leave the complex, but it turned out to be simply huge. And after a while, all the impressions were mixed up.

But before we returned to Cambodia again, I became so interested in understanding everything that I spent many hours studying materials about each temple of Angkor. And on the second and third visits, we walked around the temple complex of the ancient Khmer already with knowledge of the matter, and even conducted excursions for a friend. Now here I am telling you about Angkor Wat.

Briefly summarized as follows: Angor Wat is a must see!

Angkor Wat on the map

Open on a large Google map →

Symbols on the map:

• Gray marker on the map— Angkor Wat
• Orange- ticket office where they sell tickets to Angkor Wat
• Pink- two entrances to the temple complex Angkor Wat (western and eastern)
• Yellow- a place where you can fly in a hot air balloon over Angkor Wat
• burgundy Siem Reap International Airport in Cambodia
• Blue- Siem Reap city, where all hotels are located
  

What else is important to know about Angkor Wat and the temples of Angkor

On the pages of our blog we write about the development of Khmer architecture and the honing of architectural skills over time, and century after century we follow what happened in Cambodia and what led to the creation of the masterpieces of Angkor and the construction of Angkor Wat:

air tickets to Siem Reap online Aviasales.

Hotels in Siem Reap

It is a constitutional monarchy with the head of the king. The legislative body is the Parliament, which consists of two chambers. Its capital is Phnom Penh, and its main attraction is Angkor Wat (Cambodia). The photo below shows it at sunset.

A little about the country and its people

A small state is lost in the green jungle. It arose in the 600s AD. Nature is still virginally beautiful and surprises the traveler with amazing plants of the wet savannah and unusual animals. In the center is A on three sides it is surrounded by mountains. And the fourth opens with a view of the Gulf of Thailand. The main artery of the country, and Tonle Sap, flow along the valley. This amazing stream periodically changes its direction. A river can flow into or out of a lake. The country's population is the Khmer people (approximately 14 million), who are 95% Buddhist. For them there are more than 4 thousand temples. The language that is used in everyday life is Khmer, the elderly speak French, the young learn English and Chinese. The climate is humid and hot. The best months to visit are from late October to April, when there is a dry winter with temperatures ranging from +22°C to +26°C. But humidity stays at 93% all year round.

Landmarks of the country

The tourism business in the country is still poorly developed. The city of Siem Reap is known for its pagodas, temples and wats: wat Bo (wall paintings), Preah Angcherk and Preah Angchorm pagoda (very revered by the locals. There are two Buddha statues here), Yatep - local spirits live here that protect the city. The city of Sihanoukville is distinguished by beautiful beaches and diving centers. But still, the main thing that Cambodia is proud of is the Angkor temple complex. Everything fades before it, like the stars and the moon before the light of the sun. It is located near the city of Siemrap. In all its grandeur, the sights of Angkor are located in the center of the state of Cambodia.

In addition, there is a temple in this historical reserve. This is also a visited and very interesting temple. It offers a magnificent view of Angkor from above. The jungle dominates Ta Prohm and is not going to leave it yet. There are more modest, but no less remarkable temples: Baksey Chhamkorg, Thama Bai Kaek and Prasat Bay.

World heritage under the supervision of UNESCO

Giant, largest - it's all about Angkor. Cambodia a thousand years ago very quickly, in just 30-40 years, erected and also decorated a temple for Hindus, worshipers of the god Vishnu. This was done at the behest of King Suryavarman II. He was a warrior who spent his time not in fun, but in caring for the strengthening and centralization of the state. But he remained in history as the creator of the Angkor temple. Cambodia has attracted all its forces for its design and construction.

Design

By the time Angkor was created, Indian culture had existed for at least 4-4.5 millennia. The knowledge of Indian astronomers was extremely high. It can be assumed that they were involved in the creation of the layout of Angkor. Cambodia would hardly have been able to do this on its own. Moreover, the temple was dedicated to the deity Vishnu - the guardian of the universe, the protector from evil, the link between people and the universe.

At the end of the 20th century, the British historian D. Grisby concluded that the main structures in Angkor were a projection onto the ground. He was prompted to look for such a relationship by an inscription on an excavated stele of the 12th century, which reported that their country was similar to the sky. Such a connection is indicated by another inscription of an earlier time, which says that the stones of Angkor are associated with the movement of the stars in the sky. This has given rise to numerous modern studies and discussions in the world of historians and archaeologists. They don't stop today.

Construction

At that time, there was a lot of sandstone in the kingdom of Cambodia. The temple complex of Angkor was built from it. The construction took about five million tons of material. It was rafted down the Siemrap River. All stones are very smooth, as if they were polished. No mortar was used to fasten them, and they are held only by their own weight. They match one another so perfectly that the blade of a thin knife cannot pass between them. It is believed that elephants were used in the construction. Absolutely all surfaces are covered with kilometers of carving. These are scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata, unicorns and dragons, warriors, griffins, charming dedavasis (dancers). From all of the above, it follows that there were very skilled craftsmen who built Angkor. Cambodia, by all assumptions, had centuries of experience in such construction.

Architecture

This was a period of maturity in the development of sophisticated architecture with complete harmony of all its parts. As in many ancient civilizations, the sanctuary was the home of the gods. Only the priestly class and kings gathered in it, and it was also intended for the burial of rulers. Angkor Wat, a temple complex in Cambodia, is a rectangle with dimensions of 1.5 x 1.3 thousand meters and an area of ​​two km². The area of ​​the Vatican is almost three times smaller. Along the entire perimeter there is a moat filled with water, 190 m wide. A platform is installed in the center of the courtyard, which is enclosed by a wall. A temple was built on it. Nowhere has a capsule been found that bears its original name or date of commencement of construction. The temple of Angkor Wat (Cambodia) consists of three buildings with a common center. It has five lotus-shaped towers. The tallest central tower rises 65 m from the ground. The main entrance to it leads from the west. The road to it, made of sandstone blocks, is surrounded by low parapets, on which there are sculptures of snakes with seven heads.

Today, the entrance to the gopuram (the gate tower above the entrance) is through a sacred place under the south tower. It has a huge figure of Vishnu with 8 arms. It fills all space.

The sculptural decoration is organically connected with the whole composition of the temple. On the first tier, the most remarkable are eight huge images, the area of ​​​​which is 1.2 thousand square meters. m. The walls of the 2nd tier are decorated with bas-reliefs of apsaras (celestial maidens). There are two thousand of them. From the second level you can see the entire courtyard. Stone steps lead to the third level, to huge conical towers. The highest is the center of the universe. All the towers represent, as the ancient Khmers understood it, the abode of the gods. In the highest one, the recumbent figure of Buddha is still preserved, although the temple was originally dedicated to Vishnu.

historical reserve

The temples of Angkor in Cambodia are not limited to the colossal and mysterious Angor Wat. The city of Angkor itself was a "Capital City" with a population of over 1,000,000 people who lived in wooden houses that rotted in the high humidity. Its ruins are located about five kilometers from the Angkor Wat complex. Temples built of sandstone and tuff have been preserved there: elephant terrace, Ta-Prokhm, Angor-Thom (included in the UNESCO heritage list), Preah-Kan (translated as “sacred sword”), Ta-Prum and Bayon Temple. It has 54 towers pointing to the sky, and all of them are decorated with images of the Buddha.

Angor Thom ("Great Capital") and Bayon Temple

It was the capital under the ruler Jayavarman VII. He adopted the philosophy of Buddha and built a square city in honor of him with a fantastic area of ​​900 hectares. It is divided by roads into 4 equal parts. The remains of stone buildings sprouted by the jungle. In the center stands the Bayon Temple.

Its size is smaller than other sights of Cambodia, but if you get closer to it, it strikes with grandeur. Bayon has three levels. The first one depicts scenes from peaceful life and battles. On the second, which is much better preserved, the tourist finds himself in a labyrinth of galleries with low ceilings. Faces are carved on each of the fifty towers, which, depending on the lighting, can look either good or evil. These ruins look majestic, especially when viewed from the third level.

Ta-Prohm

This is a temple-monastery, which was called Rajahavira (“royal monastery”) with a complex layout. Its territory is heavily overgrown with trees with powerful trunks and branches. Its clearing began in 1920. But the jungle does not want to part with him. This Buddhist temple is very romantic, as some of the ruins and tropical trees are deliberately left in it. It makes an indelible impression on tourists. On the territory of the monastery, large silk trees and strangler trees grow among the ring structures.

If the seed remains in the gap of the masonry, then it gradually grows and breaks the wall with its roots and heavy trunk. Initially, they become the frame of the building, but when they die, they destroy it. The temple itself consists of three galleries with one center. It is surrounded by a moat. Entrances through gopuras (entrance towers) are located on the four cardinal points. The stele in the monastery describes its wealth (tons of gold dishes, silk beds), and also attributes to the king the creation of hundreds of statues of gods, decorative towers, almost half a thousand stone dwellings, as well as the presence of hospitals in the kingdom. All remaining walls are, of course, covered with exquisite carvings. The place where the episode of the film "Lara Croft - Tomb Raider" with Angelina Jolie was filmed is very popular with tourists. On one of the pillars, red paint has been preserved. As the guides say, human blood was added to it. In fact, iron oxides were added to it, which are very resistant to fading. The stegosaurus that is carved on one of the medallions is something inexplicable in Ta Prohma.

How to Get to Angkor, Cambodia

By air

There are no direct flights from Russia to Cambodia. There is an international airport near the city of Siem Reap. Liners arrive in it through China (eastern and southern airlines), Korea (Seoul), Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand (Bangkok, Pattaya). The most expensive, but also the most popular flight is Bangkok-Siem Reap. It's easier to fly to Bangkok and then fly via Kuala Lumpur or Phnom Penh. From the capital of Cambodia, you can then go by taxi or by bus. The airport is 7 km from Siem Reap, and the hotel can be reached without complications. And if a room is booked, then the tourist will be met for free and taken to the hotel.

Waterway

Siem Reap can be reached by speedboat from Phnom Penh if time and money permit. Tickets are sold at the hotel reception or travel agencies. Traveling along the lake and the river in six hours will allow you to get acquainted with the life of the local population.

Bus

From neighboring Asian countries (Thailand, Vietnam), as well as from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, you can take a bus. There are a lot of flights on offer. The cheapest are Cambodian. The bus during the day is quite safe transport. Night trips are not recommended.

Tours «Angkor Cambodia»

Tour operators offer a trip to exotic Cambodia. For example, Moscow companies Level.travel, VAND, Coral Travel, as well as TEZ-tour. Tours are designed for three days and two nights.

Only some one and a half centuries ago, the great discovery of Angkor, lost in the jungles of Cambodia, took place. Today it is one of the most interesting places on our planet.

Temple history

The first mention of huge stone structures dates back to 1601. Then Marcelo Ribandeiro from Spain accidentally stumbled upon the strange temple of Angkor Wat in the jungles of Cambodia. The Khmers living on this land could not build stone structures, the mystery of the origin of the temple arose, for which the missionary had to turn to the locals. But even they could not satisfy the interest of Ribandeiro that had arisen. This once again reinforced the idea that there was a completely different civilization here long before the Khmers, the legacy of which was Angkor. In this temple city, no one lived except for animals, the locals believed that according to one of the legends, foreigners had to restore the city.

This huge discovery was quickly forgotten. For Europe, the temple of Angkor Wat was of no interest. A new wave of references to this monument began in 1868 after the publication of a book by a traveler from France, Henri Muo.

For a long time, Muo wandered through the jungle, suffered from hunger and disease, until one day he managed to come across a clearing. Three towers loomed against the background of the sky, at first it even seemed to him that these were the beginning of hallucinations. But as he approached the buildings, he realized that he had made a great discovery.

This happened on January 22, 1861. The discovery turned out to be very important. Thus, a stage appeared in Cambodian history - the era of the Angkor civilization. And the towers of Angkor are fixed on the flag and coat of arms of Cambodia.

legendary palace

In ancient times, the Cambodian state of Chenla was ruled by Jayavarman II. This man is credited with the creation of the Angkor Empire. And his successor Suryavarman II (1113-1150) just built the temple of Angkor Wat.

The temple was built for the god Vishnu. But in fact it was the sanctuary and tomb of King Suryavarman II. In the empire of Angkor, there was the worship of the king, who was considered the incarnation of a great deity. And the temple of Angkor itself was considered his heavenly home on earth.

There is a whole legend about the construction of the temple. So one of the rulers had a son, Preah Ket Mealea. God Indra liked this young man, and he invited him to his heaven. Preah Ket Meala fell in love with this place, but he especially liked the magnificent palace with five towers. But all good things come to an end sooner or later, the tevoda (divine dancers) became worried about the appearance of a divine spirit in heaven, violating its harmony. They told Indra about this and he had to bring the prince back to earth. And the deity decided to build the beloved palace on earth. The place for construction was indicated by the bull Nandin, and Preah Pushnuk was chosen as the head of the construction. The best craftsmen from all over the world were gathered, so Angkor Wat was built.

Description of the temple

The temple is located in the center of a vast complex that unites about 200 other temples. The temple is surrounded by a moat that fills up during the rainy season. In the reflection of the water, the temple looks like the sacred Mount Meru, surrounded by the world's oceans. And so it was conceived by the great builders.

Angkor Wat is surrounded by a wall and the visitor enters through the main portal. Three towering terraces appear before his eyes. The first is at a height of 3.5 meters, the second - 7, the third - 13. In terms of the terrace, they are decreasing squares. There are five towers on the upper terrace - four in the corners and one in the center, rising to 65 meters. Due to the orientation of the temple, when approaching from either side, only three towers are visible.

Calculations show that the number of stones in Angkor Wat corresponds to the number of stones involved in the construction of the Egyptian pyramid of Khafre. But since the stones in Angkor have a deep artistic processing, one should only be surprised at the labor expended by the ancient inhabitants of this land.

Image feeds

Of great interest to visitors and researchers of the temple is the carving of the temple. Carved images here stretch for kilometers, the like can not be seen anywhere else in the world. Indian mythology is combined with real historical characters, you can compare this miracle with famous paintings of the Renaissance.