MangoVine - Angkor Wat - The Symbol of Cambodia

07 December, 2009
Monday

Angkor Wat is probably Cambodia's most famous attraction, from what we'd seen and read. After our sunrise visit to the temple and a day of exploring the neighbouring Angkor Thom, we returned to cover this major tourist destination and stayed until the sunset.

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Angkor Wat, which means "City Temple", was a temple complex near Siem Reap, built in the early 12th century as a state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it was the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation - first Hindu then Buddhist.

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The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors. Please continue below for tons more photos..

This view shows the temple towers in the distance, from across the moat surrounding the outer walls of Angkor Wat. The temple complex consisted of these towers as its main, central feature, which was surrounded by an interior enclosure and terrace. This sat within a much larger green space which in turn was surrounded by the outer wall and then a moat.

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Crossing the moat.

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Approaching the outer wall to pass through via one of the entrances.

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Looking back across the moat. The hot air balloon was one of the facilities on offer allowing visitors to catch an aerial view of Angkor Wat.

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In the outer wall, there were a few shrines such as the ones below.

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One of the Angkor Wat caretakers.

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Along the inside of the outer wall.

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These traditionally dressed figures await paying tourists wanting photo opportunities.

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The causeway approaching the terrace and temple mountain enclosure.

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This little chap was trying to sell some stuff to these women.

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Before we went through the terrace and into the temple mountain, we veered off to the left to find a toilet. A group of buildings on one side show an area where monks lived on site.

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