Angkor Wat, in its beauty and state of preservation, is unrivaled. Its mightiness and magnificence bespeak a pomp and a luxury surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than that of the Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal. Angkor Wat is located about six kilometers (four miles) north of Siem Reap, south of Angkor Thom. Entry and exit to Angkor Wat can only be access from its west gate.
Angkor Wat was built in the first half of the 12th century (113-5BC). Estimated construction time of the temple is 30 years by King Suryavarman II, dedicated to Vishnu (Hindu), replica of Angkor Thom style of art.
Best Way To Visit Ankor Wat
First things first, don’t buy Angkor Wat tickets or tours from unauthorized people. Don’t be a fool, and don’t believe that a taxi driver or a hotel receptionist can sell it for a better price or with a discount. I know you are really anxious to visit the temples and to watch the Angkor Wat sunrise, but trust me, leave the sunrise for your second day in the park. Unless you are visiting the complex in just one day, what is really a pity. There are so many things to do in Angkor Wat, that you should devote to this ancient ruins at least two or three days of your trip.
Also, the temples are open air, in the middle of nature, so be armed with mosquito repellent, sunscreen, hat and bottles of water. Along the way you can find small stalls selling drinks and food, to avoid dehydration carry water with you all the time.
Last, but not least, dress respectfully. Angkor Wat is more than an archeological site, it´s a temple, the symbol of a civilization and people´s belief, so cover your shoulders and avoid miniskirts. Don’t forget to follow the rules like smoking and eating in proper areas, don´t feed the monkeys and don’t go inside the barays [artificial lakes that surround the temples]. Be a sensible tourist! Said that, let’s move on, I´m going share with you the best way to visit Angkor Wat.
Average cost of food – There are tons of food options within the temple complex (though prices are higher than in the city). You can easily find restaurant meals in the $5-7 USD price range. And, around the temples, you will find little stands with cheap meals for about $2-3 USD. There are also lots of vendors selling fresh fruit and juices for as little as $1.50 USD.
Transportation costs – Tuks-tuks and hired drivers can be found all over the place and your hostel or hotel should be able to help you find one if you can’t (though they really are everywhere). Drivers cost $25 USD per day. Bicycles are another way to explore the complex, with prices around $2 USD per day.
Suggested daily budget – $30-50 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, cooking most of your meals or eating cheap street food, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. If you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more, expect this to be higher!)
Did you know that Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the largest religious monument in the world but didn't make the new list of Seven Wonders of the World? Or that it is actually rented for a profit to an entity outside of Cambodia? A few of these Angkor Wat facts may surprise you.
Interesting Angkor Wat Facts
1. 50% of international tourists visit Cambodia to see this religious monument. As if to show how proud they are of their heritage, the monument is featured on their national flag. Afghanistan's current flag is the only other national flag to feature a national monument.
2. Angkor Wat is the best representation of classical style of Khmer architecture.
3. The temple has been built to represent Mount Meru, the home of the Hindu Mythology lord of Brahma and the demi-god devtas.
4. Unlike other temples in the region that are aligned facing to the east, this temple was aligned to the west. It faces sunset and the evening sun adds to its beauty in the evening.
5. It is not until the 16th century that the temple came to be known by its present name. Prior to this, it was known as Pisnulok, the official title of the Khmer king Suryavarman II that built it.
6. Paramount Pictures paid $10,000 a day to film in the temple Ta Prohm for the 2001 film''Lara Croft : Tomb Raider''. It was after filming in Cambodia that Angelina Jolie made the decision to adopt her Cambodian son Maddox.
7. Originally built for the Hindu religion, Angkor Wat became Budddhist in the late 13th century. The temple is still used for worship today.
8. After 1432 the city of Angkor was forgotten for a few centuries with passing Buddhist monks occasionally stumbling upon the ruins yet not understandings its origins. French explorer Henri Mouhot discovered Angkor Wat in 1860. Dying of fever in Laos a year later, people learnt about the temples in his writings published posthumously.
9. Angkor Wat is oriented to the West – Unlike most temples, Angkor Wat is not oriented to the East. Most historians have concluded that king Suryavarman planned for the temple to serve as his funerary temple.
10. Angkor Wat is a restored city – The last restoration of Angkor Wat took place in 1992. It has become a major tourist destination. In 2004 and 2005, Angkor Wat was home to more than 50 percent of all of the Cambodian tourism.
Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia is the largest religious monument in the world. Angkor Wat, translated from Khmer (the official language of Cambodia) literally means “City Temple.” As far as names go this is as generic as it gets. Angkor Wat was not the original name given to the temple when it was built in the 12th century. We have little knowledge of how this temple was referred to during the time of its use, as there are no extant texts or inscriptions that mention the temple by name—this is quite incredible if we consider the fact that Angkor Wat is the greatest religious construction project in Southeast Asia.
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