{"id":2747,"date":"2025-10-31T04:52:46","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T04:52:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farawaynowtravels.com\/?p=2747"},"modified":"2026-01-02T11:32:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T11:32:15","slug":"visiting-angkor-wat-and-the-ancient-khmer-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farawaynowtravels.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/31\/visiting-angkor-wat-and-the-ancient-khmer-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Visiting Angkor Wat & The Ancient Khmer City"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I recently visited the the Ancient Khmer Empire of Angkor in Cambodia. A UNESCO World Heritage site, and an active archeological site for more than 100 years. This site is best known by the name Angkor Wat, but Angkor Wat itself is only a part of this massive complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Angkor Wat Sunrise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Siem Reap<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We took the bus to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh, Cambodia\u2019s capital. You can also fly directly to Siem Reap from Phnom Pehn and many other Southeast Asian destinations. Siem Reap is a very nice, small city and the closest city to the ancient complex. It has a full range of modern accommodations and a great restaurant scene. Something for every budget. There are also many things to do in, and around Siem Reap, if you have a few days to spend here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Setting the Scene<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was our second visit to the Ancient City of Angkor. On our first visit, eleven years ago, we had an official tour guide. There is so much history and the place is so big that you really do need a guide. You can get one inside, right after they scan your digital ticket at the entrance. We bought our tickets online, and got our QR codes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Angkor Gates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our guide was wonderful and full of fascinating information, but you will be going along with the mainstream crowd. The complex is so big that you will need a tuk-tuk to get between temples. Your hotel can easily arrange all of this for you as well. This time, however, we had made friends with the tuk-tuk driver that picked us up at the bus station in Siem Reap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Angkor Gates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our drivers name translates to the word \u201cclean\u201d, so he had us call him Mr. Clean and he was our driver for our entire week in Siem Reap. He knew exactly what time of day to be at each temple to avoid the crowds, and wow, did it make a difference. Plus, he took us to many more places we wanted to see in the area, and suggested some other nice sites too. Mr. Clean was really good, almost like our own personal tour guide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ancient City<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Angkor Wat (wat means temple) is just one temple in this massive ancient city, but it is also the largest religious structure in the world, ancient or modern. In the ancient city there are hundreds of ancient temples, 72 of them being major temples, plus various other smaller temples and buildings that were used such as monasteries, hospitals, library, schools, hostels, and so much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This ancient city is massive and I am so grateful that my husband and I were able to spend two full days here. Many people just hit Angkor Wat and a few other nearby temples in one day, but if you have time, two or more days is ideal. There is so much to see and so much fascinating history in this exotic temple complex set in the jungle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Angkor Wat<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Angkor Wat <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The highlight of the ancient city is definitely Angkor Wat. It is also the symbol of Cambodia and is even featured on the country\u2019s national flag. The Angkor Wat complex by itself covers 402 acres, or 162 hectares. Construction took place from 1113 to 1150, but the city itself goes back to the year 900. Built with the amazing Khmer architectural style, these temple walls are almost half a mile long on each side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Angkor Wat Moat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Angkor Wat complex is surrounded by a magnificent moat that stretches over three miles. Angkor is also known for its advanced water system of canals and holding tanks that brought water from their manmade Lake Baray. This insured the citizens would have water to drink and to irrigate their crops through the dry season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Angkor Wat East Entrance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This magnificent temple was originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. At some point around 1177, the kings wife, who was a devout Buddhist, converted him to Buddhism. This is why Angkor Wat reflects Hindu and Buddhist art in its intricate carvings, statues, and sculptures that can be found across this ancient complex and all around the city. The half mile long walls are intricately carved with scenes depicting Gods, battles, harvests, and everyday life of the King and his court. It is incredibly beautiful and fascinating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunrise at the Wat<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Angkor Wat Sunrise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the popular things to do is to be in front of Angkor Wat as the sun rises, to see the beautiful colors of the sunrise behind the silhouette of the temple, and also as it reflects off the water. Even though our Mr. Clean had to pick us up at 4:45 am, it was worth it. Following his lead, as soon as we had taken our photos, he had us come back to the tuk-tuk where he was waiting to take us to the next temple. We would return here to Angkor Wat the following afternoon. His plan worked out perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Angkor Wat <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Upon our return to Angkor Wat the next afternoon, we approached it from the back entrance. An equally beautiful and impressive sight. The ride there was so nice, shaded and green on one side of the road and the moat stretching out along the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Angkor Wat Moat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This gave us a great chance to cool down. Fewer people go in from this entrance and we were happy to find fewer people here this time of day. We walked the long, cool, temple halls and climbed the steps up the three different layers to the top, where you can find an inner court yard, beautiful carvings and a magnificent view of the complex from the top. Standing there looking down at the surrounding temples and grounds you can easily imagine what a bustling city this had once been. I also loved seeing lines of monks dressed in their orange robes going across the grounds. This just added to the vibe of the place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pra Thom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pra Thom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After leaving Angkor Wat on our first morning, we were off to see the Pra Thom Temple, and it is one of my favorites. Mr. Clean knew what he was doing, bringing us here right after we saw the sunrise at Angkor Wat. We had this temple all to ourselves for 45 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pra Thom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There was literally no one else here except the temple attendants. By the time the tour groups were rolling up here, we were moving on to the next site. Pra Thom was built in 1186 using tightly fitted, carved blocks of stone, with no mortar. Over the centuries this has allowed tree roots to work their way between some of the walls, blocks, and doorways giving this temple a very unique look and feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pra Thom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The massive trees here make it look otherworldly, almost unreal. This temple was used in the 2001 movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie. When these trees start to die they can actually pull a whole wall down with them. Because of this, the trees are closely monitored now and their roots cut away from the temple if they start to die off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pra Thom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Neak Pean<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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King Jayavaraman VII had 102 hospitals constructed around the city, but one really stands out, Neak Pean. This was a completely different experience as it was built on an island in Lake Baray. A bridge leads you to the island and when I was there the surrounding lake was full of Lotus flowers with lovely pink blossoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Neak Poan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the center of the island is a small temple surrounded by four reservoirs. These reservoirs represent Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water and represent balance in all things. This was a major component in the healing of some diseases, for the body to be in balance. The whole place felt very serene and peaceful. I think this is a must see if you come to Angkor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preah Khan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Preah Khan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Preah Khan is a section that contained royal palaces, the university, and the Royal Circus, among many other things. It also features a unique building referred to as \u201cthe library\u201d. What makes this pavilion unique is that it is the only building with round, Roman style columns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Preah Khan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

No one is sure what exactly this building was used for. But over 100,000 people lived in this particular area of the city. Records that were kept during this time show that travelers and scholars visited here. Buddhist pilgrims came from Japan, and an envoy from China came to study at this university. Portuguese explorers also paid a visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Preah Khan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bayon <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is one last grand temple that I am going to mention, because I can\u2019t go over them all or this would be a small book, and that is the Bayon Temple. Standing in the city center, it is often referred to as the Temple of 26,000 faces. In actuality there are only 216 faces on 54 different towers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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All of these faces are thought to be the likeness of King Jayavaraman VII. However many faces there really are, it is an awesome sight to see. These benevolent looking, smiling faces all around, make this one of the most popular complexes to visit. There is a type of lichen that grows on the stone at these temples adding even more interest to the intricate carvings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A True Bucket List Adventure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many have never heard of the Ancient Khmer Empire of Angkor, and these ruins do receive less visitors than other ancient sites. That being said, more than two million people a year do make it to Angkor. We went in July, which is the low season, it\u2019s hot, but there are fewer people. I do recommend this time of year as I will take the heat over the crowds any day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OUR ANGKOR WAT VIDEO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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