Angkor Wat - Cambodia’s Famous Temples

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Angkor is one of the most famous temple complexes in Southeast Asia and is located near the city of Siem Reap. The vast temple area is one of Cambodia’s most iconic landmarks, covering over 200 km² with countless temples. A multi-day visit to Angkor, including the most famous temple, Angkor Wat, is a must during any stay in Siem Reap.

Experts don’t entirely agree on when exactly Angkor was built, but most of the temples were constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries. It’s truly impressive what masterpieces people were able to create back then. Since 1992, Angkor has also been part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Angkor – All Information About the Temples Around Angkor Wat

The temples of Angkor, especially Angkor Wat, are the national pride of Cambodia, and you can even find a depiction of them on the country’s flag and banknotes. We spent several days in Siem Reap and dedicated two full days to exploring the temples, and it was absolutely worth it. Here’s a look at which temples we visited and which ones we can recommend to you.

Accommodation in Siem Reap – Our Hotel Tip

In the center of Siem Reap, near Pub Street, it can get very loud and hectic in the evenings. That’s not necessarily everyone’s taste. Near the peaceful Wat Preah Prom Rath, you’ll find the wonderful hotel Ananda’s Siem Reap. The rooms are spacious and stylish, and the owner, Ananda, takes excellent care of his guests. The short 10-minute walk to Pub Street didn’t bother us. Here you’ll enjoy peace and quiet, yet you can still easily go out at night if you wish.

If you’d prefer to stay a little closer to the center, you can explore more hotels here.

Costs for Admission and Tuk Tuk

You can visit the Angkor temple complexes in several ways. Either rent a scooter or a bicycle in Siem Reap or hire a Tuk Tuk for a day or longer. We chose the latter since there were three of us traveling together, and the Tuk Tuk was the most convenient option.

We found our driver on Pub Street in Siem Reap, where Tuk Tuks are always waiting around. After a bit of negotiation, we agreed on a fair price. For the first day, when our tour started around noon, we paid 10 USD, and for the second full day, 20 USD.

We then went with the Tuk Tuk to the Angkor ticket office, where you have to buy your admission ticket (the Angkor Pass). A photo of you will be taken and printed directly on your ticket. We paid 62 USD for a 3-day pass.

If you only want to visit Angkor Wat or the other temples for one day, the day ticket costs 37 USD. If you’d like to explore the temples for a full week, the ticket costs 72 USD.

You don’t have to use your ticket on consecutive days. You can take a day off in between without losing a day on your pass.

Most of the Angkor temples are open from 7.30 AM to 6.00 PM. However, there are a few exceptions. Bayon and Ta Phrom close at 5.30 PM, while Angkor Wat and Srah Srang open as early as 5.00 AM due to the popular sunrise visits.

Angkor – Guided Excursions and Tours

If you don’t want to explore the Angkor temples on your own or by renting a Tuk Tuk, there are also many interesting guided tours available. Here are three exciting options:

• Angkor Temples: Private Full-Day Tour with Sunset – After a full day visiting the temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, enjoy a spectacular sunset over Pre Rup, the former state temple.
• 2-Day Small Group Temple Tour with Sunrise – Explore Angkor Wat at sunrise on this 2-day private tour, including Angkor Thom, Banteay Srei, and more. Let the mystical atmosphere of the ancient ruins captivate you.
• Angkor Wat: Small Group Sunrise Day Tour – Experience the famous sunrise at Angkor Wat. Afterward, a knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the ruins and bring their history to life.

1. Ta Phrom

Ta Phrom was the first stop on our small Angkor temple tour on the first day. Many know it as the Tomb Raider Temple since it served as a filming location for Lara Croft. One of its side wings, featuring a massive strangler fig growing through the ruins, is especially famous.

This is also the most popular photo spot in Ta Phrom, and you might have to wait in line for your turn. Almost every visitor takes a souvenir photo here.

The temple complex of Ta Phrom is located about two kilometers northeast of Angkor Wat and was originally called Rajavihara, which translates to “royal monastery.”

Inside, you’ll find many carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, as well as several Gopurams at the temple entrances featuring faces carved in stone. As the first temple we visited in Angkor, it was naturally very impressive for us, and it’s easily one of the most fascinating temple complexes and an absolute must-visit.

2. Banteay Kdei

The next stop was Banteay Kdei, built by King Jayavarman VII in the mid-12th century. It is one of the three monastery complexes of Angkor Wat, along with Ta Phrom and Neak Pean.

The temple is slightly smaller than Ta Phrom but no less fascinating. Even the approach through the entrance gate builds anticipation. After passing several vendors along the way, you’ll finally reach the first structure.

Like many other temples, Banteay Kdei was built in the Bayon style. It’s not as complex or richly decorated, but you’ll still find detailed carvings featuring Garudas and numerous Gopurams.

It’s usually less crowded than Ta Phrom, which is actually a good thing. You can enjoy the peace and quiet, explore at your own pace, and take photos without the crowds. It’s also known as the Citadel of the Monks.

3. Srah Srang

Directly across from Banteay Kdei lies the Srah Srang reservoir. It’s approximately 725 × 400 meters in size and was created for the benefit of all. The name actually means royal bath, though that wasn’t its true purpose.

From the western shore, you can access Srah Srang via a small platform offering a great view over the lake. It’s still completely intact and serves as a peaceful retreat for both tourists and locals who relax along its banks.

4. Prasat Kravan

The last stop on our first day was Prasat Kravan. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and was built in 921.

Prasat Kravan consists of five small rooms, also called cellas. They are all arranged from north to south, with their openings facing east. The temple belongs to the Indravarman period and does not follow the Bayon style.

5. Angkor Wat

On the second day, we took the Grand Circuit and started the morning with the most famous temple complex, Angkor Wat. We decided against heading there at 5.00 AM for sunrise since the sky was cloudy early in the morning and only cleared up later.

What many people don’t know is that while Angkor Wat is the most famous temple complex in Angkor, it’s not the largest. That title actually belongs to Angkor Thom.

Angkor Wat was built around the 11th century from sandstone. The temple complex is surrounded by a moat and was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu before the Khmer people converted to Buddhism.

Inside, you can see many Apsaras carved into the walls, encounter young monks giving blessings, or climb the steep staircase to the upper temple area. Since Angkor Wat attracts many visitors, you’ll rarely be alone here, and there was a long queue for the upper temple area during our visit.

Additionally, you can explore the library and Buddhist monasteries within the Angkor Wat area. The small lake is especially popular for photography, offering a perfect reflection of the temple. Though it gets incredibly crowded, especially during sunrise.

6. Bayon

After visiting Angkor Wat, we continued to Angkor Thom, where the Bayon Temple sits at the center. It’s also one of the most visited temples in Angkor, best known for its massive stone faces that appear throughout the complex.

We were a bit unlucky during our visit. Shortly after arriving, it started pouring rain, and we were stuck inside the temple for almost an hour. Still, we used the time to explore the interior, as Bayon is not only famous for its faces but also for its detailed bas-reliefs.

The roughly 200 faces of Bayon represent Bodhisattvas. The temple once served as the religious center of Angkor’s capital, Angkor Thom. Unlike other Angkor temples, Bayon’s layout is not symmetrical, which makes it stand out even more. Definitely a highlight.

7. Baphoun

The temple mountain was built in honor of Shiva in the mid-11th century and is also located in Angkor Thom, not far from Bayon. It was constructed before Angkor Thom existed and served as the center of the former capital, Yasodhapura.

You can climb Baphoun via several staircases, some of which are very steep, so caution is advised. It’s worth it though. From the top, you’ll enjoy a fantastic view over the stone causeway and the terrace with Gopura.

8. Phimeanakas

Right next to Baphoun, you’ll find the somewhat hidden Phimeanakas, a Hindu temple in the shape of a pyramid. It was built at the end of the 10th century, and it is believed that at least the top of the pyramid was once covered in gold.

Normally, you can climb the pyramid through the southern gate, but during our visit, it was closed off.

9. Terrace of the Elephants

The Terrace of the Elephants is also located in Angkor Thom. It sits on the large square just north of the Bayon Temple. Built in the early 13th century, it consists of three different platforms and was most likely used by the king to watch games or parades on the Great Square.

When you enter the terrace, you’ll see numerous elephant statues, which is how it got its name. You can also spot lions, Garudas, and gladiators carved into the walls. A nice but rather quick visit.

10. Terrace of the Leper King

The final stop for us in Angkor Thom was the Terrace of the Leper King, located just a few minutes north of the Terrace of the Elephants. Here, you can still see countless bas-reliefs that are remarkably well preserved. Today, the terrace is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Khmer art.

The name comes from the Leper King, a statue that is said to represent Yasovarman I, the king who built the very first city in Angkor and later contracted and died from leprosy. Experts believe the terrace was used for royal family burials.

11. Preah Khan

After exploring several sites within Angkor Thom, we exited through the North Gate and headed to the Preah Khan Temple, which was built in 1191. This vast temple once served as the religious center of Angkor until Angkor Thom was constructed.

The two-story columned hall inside is the main highlight, but first, you’ll have to walk across the temple grounds and cross the surrounding moat. Preah Khan is completely surrounded by forest, which gives it a tranquil atmosphere despite the number of visitors.

12. Neak Pean

The second-to-last temple on our Grand Circuit Tour of Angkor was Neak Pean. It sits in an artificial lake, the Northern Baray. You can only reach it on foot via a wooden walkway, which makes the journey itself quite fascinating.

After crossing the bridge, you’ll arrive at the inner area of Neak Pean Temple. It consists of five ponds with a central tower in the middle. Surrounding it are four chapels at each corner of the pools, dedicated respectively to humans, elephants, lions, and horses.

This former healing sanctuary is one of the lesser-visited temples of Angkor, but that makes it even more special. Mainly because of its serene and unique location.

13. Ta Som

The final temple on our second day was Ta Som, essentially a smaller version of Ta Phrom. It was built between 1190 and 1210 by Jayavarman VII, the king of the Angkor Empire at that time.

Many parts of the complex are now in ruins, but if you walk all the way to the back, you’ll reach the eastern Gopuram, where a strangler fig has grown over the entrance, giving Ta Som a beautiful jungle-like atmosphere.

Ta Som, built during the Bayon period, is also located on the Grand Circuit route and can easily be combined with visits to Preah Khan and Neak Pean. It’s a lovely small temple, especially if you enjoyed Ta Phrom. Otherwise, it’s more of a “nice-to-see” rather than a “must-see.”

Note

Be sure to wear appropriate clothing. Your knees and shoulders should be covered. While many temples don’t strictly enforce this, some do. It would be a shame to travel all that way only to be denied entry to one or more of Angkor’s temples.

Angkor Wat: Tours and Tickets

Would you prefer to explore with a knowledgeable local guide? Then we recommend joining a guided tour with a local expert. This way, you can experience Angkor Wat from a completely new perspective. On GetYourGuide, you’ll find many exciting tours for Angkor Wat.

How to Get to Siem Reap

Outside the city of Siem Reap lies the international airport, which is served by many airlines from across Asia. From Europe, however, you’ll need to make a stopover in places such as Bangkok or Singapore to fly into Siem Reap. More details on schedules, prices, etc. can be found on Skyscanner.

Other ways to reach Siem Reap include taking a boat, for example, from Phnom Penh, or, of course, by bus. There are many connections within Cambodia as well as routes to Thailand. You can check the available options on 12go.asia.

Have you ever visited Angkor Wat? Which temple complex is your favorite? We look forward to your comments!