Siem Reap Cambodia
Siem Reap is a fast-developing town just north of the western extent of the Tonle Sap . It is just 5km from the Angkor complex of temple and where you will stay during your visit to Angkor . Siem Reap has become something of a center in the drive to revitalize Khmer cultural skills the years of political instability. Traditional performance and craft shop, road tour through rice-paddy countryside, Tonle Sap boat trip to fishing villages and the bird sanctuary all await the visitor willing to take time to explore. Several up-markets hotels are under-construction, so sleepy Seim Reap is slowly waking up.
Tourist Information
Tourist Office Information is in a new white structure opposite the Grand Hotel d' Angkor where you ask for general information.
Airport Tax
For international departures: US$20. For domestic flights: US$10 from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and US$4 from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh .
Money
Hotels and most restaurants set their prices in US dollars. Some places accept credits cards and travelers checks. There are no ATMs in Siem Reap with access to foreign accounts. There are several banks where you can change money in Siem Reap. The CCB and Mekong Bank change travelers checks at 2% commission. Cash advances (with a limit of US$2,000 ) are available on credit card for a flat fee of US$10.
Post & Communications
The post office is along the river, 400m south of the Grand Hotel d' Angkor. Open for business 7:00-5:30 everyday. Offers a reliable general postal services, domestic and international telephone and package services.
If you need to send or receive faxes and you are not based in a hotel that offers this service, try either the Call & Cash Center or Lotus Temple Communications, both near the Old Market, offering very competitive rates. There are plenty of email places at $2.5 to $3/hour.
Getting Around Siem Reap
To/From the Airport
Many of the hotels and guesthouses in Siem Reap have a free airport pick-up service. The 7km ride from the airport on the back of a motorcycle taxis (motodup) costs US$1. Taxis are also usually available at US$3 to US$5.
Cars
Most of the hotels and guesthouses can organize hired taxi on a daily basis. The rate is US$20 to US$25/day.
Minibuses
Minibuses are available from many travel agents. A 12 seat minibus costs US$40/day, a 25 or 30 seat minibus US$80 to US$100/day depending on the time of the year.
Thai TocToc
can be hired in Siem Reap for $15/day with a four seat trailer in hitch.
Bicycle
Some of the guesthouses hire bicycle at $3/day.
Motorcycle Taxis (motodup)
Motodups are omnipresent in town, they are available at daily rates of US$6 to US$8. The average cost for a short trip within town is 1,000r or 1,500r across the river or at night.
Cyclo
you can reach anywhere in town for about 1,000r.
Things to See & Do
The Shopping
There is no shortage of gift shops around town, some shops are specialized more for package tourists. Items being touted include temple bas-relief rubbings, curious musical instruments, ornamental knives,
T-shirts. Some replicas of authentic artifacts must be accompanied by a certification that it is a replica. Do not purchase antiquities. It is illegal.
You can get your Angkor photos printed in Siem Reap quickly and cheaply. Most of the photo shops are on National Road N º 6, just east of the river, and charge about US$4 to process 36 prints.
Places to visit In Siem Reap
Angkor Complex of Temples
Angkor the most famous, largest ancient temples and one of the seven wonders of the world. They were built between 7 th and 14 th century by Khmer kings when the Khmer civilization was at it height of its extraordinary creativity. It is unparalleled in South-East Asia . From Angkor, the kings of the mighty Khmer empire ruled over a vast territory that extended from the tip of what is now southern Vietnam , north to Yunnan in China and from Vietnam west to the Bay of Bengal . It's magnificent architecture as the evidence of the Khmer's strong belief in religions-Hinduism and Buddhism. King Jayavarman VII is one of the powerful kings in that period. Complex is the soul of Khmer art and civilization, represents the spiritual heart and identity of the Khmer people Temples of Angkor consist of more than 100 major monuments, which they spread over an area of more than 400km 2 .
Angkor Wat
Locate around 6km north of Siem Reap, south of Angkor Thom, enter and leave from the west, was built in the first half of the 12 th century by the King Suryavaraman II (ruled 1113-1150), dedicated to Vishnu. Angkor Wat is the largest and undoubtedly the most breathtaking monuments of Angkor group and also the best preserved, is an architectural masterpiece. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, bas-reliefs' and sculpture make its one of the finest monuments in the world. After 1432 when the capital moved to Phnom Penh , Angkor was cared by Buddhist monks. It is generally accepted that Angkor Wat was a funerary temple for the king Suryavarman II and oriented to the west to conform with the symbolism between the setting sun and death. On the four sides of the wall, there are the bas-reliefs designed for viewing from left to right in order to tell the stories of Hindu and Buddhism religion, and also about 1,600 different sculptures of celestial dancers “Apsara” on the wall of this temple
Ta Prohm Kel
Located on the left of the road going from the west entrance to Angkor Wat to the south gate of Angkor Thom. Ta Prohm Kel is a single tower that was one of the 102 hospitals built by Jayavarman VII dedicated to Buddhism. According to Coedes, the monument is associated with the legend of Ponhea Krek. A beggar who was paralyzed and was cured at this site by the God Indra.
Phnom Bakheng
Located 1,300m north of Angkor Wat and 400m south of Angkor Thom. Phnom Bakkheng was built by Yasovarman I (889-910) in late 9 th and early 10 th century, dedicated to Shiva. Phnom Bakheng is a five-tiered temple mountain with seven levels, including the base and the summit. At the base consists of 44 towers. Each of the five tiers had 12 towers. The summit of the temple has four towers at the cardinal points of the compass as well as a Central Sanctuary. All of these numbers are of symbolic significance. Arrive at the summit (height 67m) just before sunset for a panoramic view of Angkor and its environs.
Prasat Baksei Chamkrong
Located 150m north of Phnom Bakheng and 80m from the road leading to the south gate of Angkor Thom, built in the middle of the 10th century by the king Harshavarman I (910-922), dedicated to Shiva. According to the legend, the king fled during an attack on Angkor and was saved from being caught by the enemy when a large bird swooped down and spread its win to shelter the king. The name of the temple derives from this legend. The visit can be combined with a stop at the south gate of Angkor Thom.
Thma Bay Kream
Located between the southern moat of Angkor Thom and Baksei Chamkrong; 125km west of the road, built around 10 th century dedicated to Shiva. Thma Bay Kream consists of a single tower built of brick on a square plan. Little remains of this temple, but it is worth seeing for its setting and can be combined with a visit to Prasat Bei.
Prasat Bei
Located between the southern moat of Angkor Thom and Baksei Chamkrong; 175m west of Thma Bay Kream. Built around 10 th century dedicated to Shiva, Prasat Bei is a group of brick built three towers.
Angkor Thom
Located 1,700m north of Angkor Wat, enter and leave by the south, north or Victory gates. Angkor Thom was built by Angkor 's greatest king Jayavarman VII (ruled 1181-1219) who came to power just after the disastrous sacking by the Chams of the previous Khmer capital. Angkor Thom is enclosed by a square well 8m height and 12km in length and encircled by a moat 100m wide, said to have been inhabited by fierce crocodiles. The city has five monumental gated, one each in the north, west and south walls and two in the east wall. The gates, which are 20m in height, are decorated to either side of the passageway with stone elephant trunks and crowned by four gargantuan faces of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara facing the cardinal directions. In front of each gate stand giant statues of 54 demons (to the left of the causeway). In the Center of the walled enclosure are the city's most important monuments, including the Bayon, the Baphuon, Vimean Akas, the Royal Enclosure, Terrace of Elephants, Preah Philalay, Tep Pranam and Prasat Sour Prat.
Bayon
Located in the Center of Angkor Thom , built in late 12 th and early 13 th century by the King Jayavarman VII and dedicated to Buddhism. The Bayon takes an easy second place after Angkor Wat as most popular of Angkor's complex.The Bayon remains one of the most enigmatic temple of the Angkor group. Its symbolism, original from and subsequent changes and constructions have not yet been untangled. The architectural scale and composition of the Bayon exude grandness of every aspect. Its elements juxtapose each other to create balance and harmony. Bayon is the place of stooped corridors, precipitous flights of stairs and, most of all, a collection of 54 gothic towers decorated with over 200 smiling, gargantuan faces of Avalokiteshvara. The characteristics of these faces -a broad forehead, downcast eyes, wide nostrils, thick lips that curl upwards slightly at the ends- combine to reflect the famous “smile of Angkor ” . a number of Cambodia people point out that the Khmer empire was divided into 54 provinces at the time of Bayon's construction, hence all-seeing eyes of Avalokiteshvara were keeping watch on the kingdom's far-flung subjects. The surrounding tall jungle makes Bayon a bit dark and flat for photographs very early and late in the day.
Baphoun
Located 200m northwest of the Bayon and south of vimean Akas, built in 1060, by the King Udayadityavarman II (1050-1066), and dedicated to Shiva. The Baphuon, a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru. It is approached by a 200m elevated walkway made of sandstone. The central structure is 43m high. An interesting feature of Baphuonare the bas-rliefs which are scenes carved in small squares. The narrative themes are realistic depictions undergoing restoration and not open to public. The exterior entry gate and elevated walkway are open.
Vimean akas
Located inside the enclosure of the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom, north of Baphuon, can be reached on foot either from Preah Palilay or from the Terrace of the Elephants. Built in late 10 th and early 11 th century, by the King Rajendravarman II (944-968) dedicated to Hinduism.
According to the legend there was a gold tower inside the royal palace (as Chou Ta-Kuan described as “the Tower of gold”) inside the Royal Palace of Angkor the Great where a serpent-spirit with nice heads lived. The spirit appeared to the Khmer king distinguished as a woman and the king had to sleep with her every night in the tower before he jointed his wives and concubines in another part of the palace. If the king missed even one night it was believed he would die. In this way the royal lineage of the Khmers was perpetuated. The rectangular pyramidal Vimean Akas is the representation of Mont Meru with its three levels full of decorative features.
Terrace of Elephants
Located in the Royal square of Angkor Thom , built at the end of the 12 th century by the King Jayavarman VII and dedicated to Buddhism. The 350m-long terrace which extends from Baphoun to the Terrace of Leper King, the Elephants Terrace was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king's grand audience hall. As you stand here, try to imagine the pomp and grandeur of the Khmer empire at is height, with infantry, cavalry, horse-drawn chariots and elephants parading across the Central Square in a colorful procession, pennants and standards aloft. Looking on is the god-king crowned with a gold diadem, shaded by multiplied parasols and attended by mandarins and handmaidens bearing gold and silver utensils.
Terrace of the Leper King
The Terrace of the Leper King is a platform 7m high. On top of the platform stands a nude, though sexless statue. Legend has it that at least two of the Angkor kings had leprosy, and the statue may represent one of them. A more likely explanation is that the statue is of Yama, the god of death, and that the Terrace of the Leper King housed the royal crematorium.
Prea Palilay
Preah Paliilay, was erected during the rule of Dharanindravarman II (1150-1160) at the 12 th century and dedicated to Buddhist religion. The temple originally housed a Buddhha, which has long since disappeared. The presence of Buddhist monks and nuns at this temple give it a feeling of an active place of worship.
Tep Pranam
Built at of the 9 th century by the king Yasovarman I (889-910) dedicated to Buddhist religion. The sandstone walls of the base of the temple have a molded edging two lions precede the walls and there are serpent balustrades. Nearby is a large Buddha 4.5m high seated on a lotus pedestal.
Preah Pithu Group
Preah Pithu, which is located in Angkor Thom across northern way from Tep Pranam, is a group of five 12 th century Hindu and Buddhist temples enclosed by a wall set in a quiet area. The temples are in rough shape but there are very interesting carvings scattered on the ground.
The Kleangs
The North and South Kleangs consist of a pair of large sandstone façade that look quiet grand against a jungle background. They are similar in time, layout, style and decoration. They have been reception halls for receiving dignitaries.
North Kleang
dated from the period of Jayavarman V (968-1000) and the workmanship of the architecture and decoration is more carefully executed than at the South Kleang .
Prasat Suor Prat
Prasat Sour Prat is a row of 12 square laterite and sandstone towers, six on either side of the road leading to Angkor Thom, parallel to the front of the Terraces. The towers are connected by galleries and are of similar style and construction. They were constructed by Jayavarman VII and dedicated to Buddhism. According to the Khmer legend, the towers served as anchoring places of ropes which stretched from one to another for acrobats performing at festivals, while the king observed the performances from one of the terraces. This activity is reflected in the name of the tower.
Chau Say Tevoda & Thommanon
Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon are two small monuments close together (located on the left and right sides of the road) and similar in plan and style built by King Suryavarman II (1113-1150) between 11 th to the 12 th century and dedicated to Brahmanism. Currently is under restoration.
Spean Thma
Spean Thma is a bridge constructed of block of stone of varying shapes and sizes. It was one of the final projects for the last great builder of Angkor, Jayavarman VII, and is the only large bridge in the vicinity of Angkor of which anything remains. There are reportedly traces of 14 arches.
Chaptel of the Hospital
Located east of Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda and Spean Thma; on the right of the road just past the Siem Reap River . An inscription found confirms the identity of this site as one of the 102 hospitals built by the king. Jayavarman VII.
Prasat Takeo
Located east of Thammanon and Chau Say Tevod Ta Keo, was built by Jayavarman V (ruled 968-1000) and may continue to the reign of Suryavarman I at the end of 10 th to early 11 th century and was dedicated to Shiva. It is an imposing sight, scaling 22m to the sky and give an impression of power. Takeo was the first Angkorian monument built entirely in sandstone.The absence of decoration at Takeo gives it a simplicity of design that separate from the other monuments.
Prasat Ta Prohm
Located southwest of the East Mebon and east Angkor Thom. Its outer enclosure is near the corner of Banteay Kdei. The temple of Ta Prohm rates with Angkor Wat and the Bayon as one of the most popular attractions of Angkor . Its appeal lies in the the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor , it has been left to be swallowed by the jungle. Ta Prohm is among the largest of the monuments in the Angkor complex.
Built in approximately 1186, Ta Prohm was a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII. It is one of the few temples in the Angkor region where an inscription provides information about the temple's dependents and inhabitants. Ta Phrom owned 3,140 villages. It took 79,365 people to maintain the temple including 18 great priest, 2,740 officials, 2,202 assistants and 615 dancers. Among the property belonging to the temple was a set of golden dishes weighing more than 500kgs, 35 diamonds, 40,620 pearls, 4,540 precious stones, 876 veils from China , 512 silk beds
Banteay Kdei
Located south of Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, is a massive Buddhist temple of the second half of the 12 th century. The outer wall measures 500m by 700m. Each of its four entrances is decorated with garuda, which hold aloft one of Jayavarman VII's favorite themes, the four visages of Avalokiteshvara.
Sras Srang (Pool of Ablutions)
Sras Srang was built by Jayavarman VII at the end of 12 th century and dedicated to Buddhism. It is a large lake measuring 700m by 300m with an elegant landing form with stairs leads to the pond. The platform is in the shape of a cross with serpent balustrades flanked two lions. At the front there is enormous Garudas riding a tree headed serpents. At the back there is a mythical creature comprising a tree-headed serpent.
Prasat Kravan
Located east of Angkor Wat and south of Banteay Kdeiy, Prasat Kravan, was built during the reign of king Harshavarman I (910-922), for Hindu worship in 921. The main point of interest at Kravan is the sculpture on the interior of two of five towers depicting Vishnu and his consorts, Laksmi; the scene in the central tower is the most impressive one. These carvings in brick on the interior of a monument are unique in Khmer architecture.
Preah Khan
Located north of Angkor Thom and west of Neak Pean, built by King Jayavarman VII in 1191, dedicated to Buddha and his father. Preah Khan comprises a vast area of 56.7 hectares and four enclosing walls. The building are enclosed by a rectangular wall 700 by 800m and surrounded by a moat. Inside is a labyrinth of pavilions, halls and chapels. Preah Khan may have served as a temporary residence of the king while he was rebuilding the capital after the Chams sacked it in 1177. Nearby monuments include Preah Damrei, guarded by massive elephants; Preah Thkol, a cruciform shrine 2km east of the central group; and Preah Stung, 2km south-east of the main group, which includes a tower with four faces.
Preah Neak Pean
Located east of Preah Khan; 300m from the road, the late 12 th century Buddhist temple of Preah Neak Pean (Inter-twined Naga) was built by Jayavarman VII. Neak Pean is a large square man-made pond 70m each side bordered by steps and surrounded by four smaller square ponds. A small circular island with a stepped base of seven laterite tiers is in the center of the large square pond. Small elephants sculpted in the round originally stood on the four corners. Although Neak Pean is small and a collection of five ponds, it is worth a visit for its unique features. Most photogenic in the wet season when the pools are full.
Krol Ko
Located northwest of Neak Pean, 100m from the road, Krol Ko was built in late 12 th to early 13 th century by Jayavarman VII and dedicated to Buddha. A single tower monument with two enclosing walls built of laterite with an entry tower at the east and a moat with steps. The main items of interest at Krol Ko are the pediments on the ground. Two outstanding ones are a bodhisattva Avalokitesvara standing on a lotus flanked by devotees and a strongly modeled scene of Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana to shelter the shepherds.
Prasat Ta Som
Located east of Preah Neak Pean, built by Jayavarman VII dedicated to Buddha and his father. Ta Som is a single tower monument on one level surrounded by three enclosing walls with entry towers on the east and west carved with four faces. The face on the right of the east tower has a beautiful smile. The entry towers are in the shape of a cross with a small room on each side connecting to a laterite wall.
Eastern Baray & Eastern Mebon
Located 500m north of Pre Rup, built in 952 by Rajendravavarman II ( 944-968 ), in the Eastern Baray which was excavated by Yasovarman I ( 889-910 ), who marked its four corners with steles. The Eastern Baray which was large body of water (2 by 7km ) fed by the Siem Reap River and was the most important of the public works of Yasodharapura, Yasovarman I's capital. The East Mebon is a temple with three tiers. The towers represent the five peaks of the mythical Mount Meru .
Pre Rup
Located northeast of Sras Srang and 500m south of the south and of the East Baray . Pre Rup was built by Rajendravarman II (944-968 ) in 961 dedicated to Shiva. The name Pre Rup recalls one of the rituals of cremation in which the silhouette of the body of the deceased, outlined with its ashes is successively represented according to different orientations. Constructed on an artificial mountain in laterite with brick towers, the plan is square and comprises two enclosures with four entry towers each and a base with three narrow tiers serving as a pedestal for five towers on the top platform-one in each corner and one central. The outer enclosing wall is 127 by 116m.
Prasat Banteay Srei
Located about 35 km from Siem Reap town on the way to Kulen Mountain , one of the historical places of Cambodia . It was built in the late 10 th century by a Brahman in 967 during the reigns of Kings Rajendravarman II (944-968 ) and Jayavarman V (968-1000 ) and dedicated to Shiva. Architectural and decorative features of Banteay Srei are unique and exceptionally fine. The architecture is distinguished by superimposed pediments terminal motifs on the frames of the arches, and standing figures in the niches. Panels are decorated with scenes inspired by Indian epics especially the Ramayana and its execution has a liveliness not seen it the more formal decoration of earlier temples. The temple is square with entrances at the east and west. A causeway approaches the east entrance. Of chief interest are the three central towers, which are decorated with male and female divinities and beautiful filigree relief work. You can combine a visit here with a trip to the River of a Thousand Lingas at Kbal Spien and the sacred mountain of Phnom Kulen .
Banteay Samre
Located 400m east of the East Baray , built by Suryavarman II (1113-1150) in the middle of 12 th century, and dedicated to Vishnu. Banteay Sramre is one of the most complete complexes at Angkor as the French spent eight years restoring this monument using the method of anastylosis. The plan of Banteay Samre is approximately square and consists of a surrounding wall. A visit to Banteay Samre can be combined with a trip to Banteay Srei.
Kbal Spean
More commonly referred to in English as the River of a Thousand Lingas. The river eventually appears on your left and the first carvings include a large image of Vishnu. As you continue, you come to an area with several good images of Rama, Lakshmi and Hanuman, and further up some lingas. On the way back down there is a path thar follows the river for a time and along this stretch are hundreds of lingas giving rise to the name the River of a Thousand Lingas. These eventually give was to a waterfall and a scenic pool below. Truck ride and then a 45 minutes jungle walk.
The Western Baray
The Western Baray (Baray Occidental), measuring 8km by 2.3km, was excavated during the reign of the king Udayadityavarman II (1050-1066) to provide water for the intensive cultivation of lands around Angkor. It is surrounded by a levy of earth which forms a dyke. In the center of the basin is the temple Western Mebon, which has the same style as Baphoun where the giant bronze statue of Visnu, now in the National Museum in Phnom Penh , was found. It is accessible by boat.
Roluos Group
Located 11km southeast of the southeast of the Siem Reap Market and east of the Great Lake . The group served as the capital of Indravarman I (877-889).
Bakong
Built by king Indravarman I (877-889 ) in 811 and dedicated to Shiva. Bakong is built on an artificial mountain and enclosed in a rectangular area by two walls. It has a square base with five tiers. The first, or outside, enclosure is 900 by 700m surrounded a moat with an embankment and causeway on four sides which are bordered by low Naga balustrades. The second and smaller enclosure has an entry tower of sandstone and laterite in the Center of each side of the wall. There were originally 22 towers inside the first enclosure. Now there is an active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance.
Preah Ko
Located between Bakong and Lolei, Preah Ko was erected by Indravarman I in 879, dedicated to Shiva and served as funerary temple for the king's parents, maternal grandparents, and previous king, Jayavarman II and his wife. The complex of Preah Ko is square and surrounded by four enclosing walls with entry towers successively smaller size. The first enclosure is 450 by 800m square with entry tower on the east and west sides. The six prasat (brick towers), aligned in two rows and decorated with carved sandstone and plaster bas-reliefs.
Lolei
Located north of Bakong, built by King Yasavarman I (889-910 ) in 893 and was dedicated to Brahmanism. Although Lolei is small it is worth a visit for its carving and inscriptions. The four brick towers of Lolei were built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir by Yasovarman. According to one of the inscriptions, the four towers were dedicated by Yasovarman I to his mother, his father and his maternal grandparents on 12 July 893.
Beng Mealea
Beng Mealea is one of the most interesting of Angkor 's complex. The 12 th century temple by Suryavarman II (1113-1150), is about 40km east of the Bayon. Beng Mealea is enclosed by a moat measuring 1,200m by 900m. It is nearly the size of Angkor Wat, but utterly subsumed by jungle. Many of the carvings have recently been plundered due to the temple's isolation.
Phnom Kulen
Phnom Kulen is considered by Khmer people to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia and is a popular place of pilgrimage during weekends and festivals. It played a significant role in the history of the Khmer empire, as it was from here in 802 that Jayavarman II (802-850) proclaimed independence from Java, giving birth to modern-day Cambodia . There is a small wat at reclining Buddha carved into the sandstone boulder upon which it is built. Nearby is an attractive waterfall in which you can swim and there are a number of carvings in the riverbed, including numerous lingas. The views from the top are tremendous as you can see right across the forested plateau. The highest point on Phnom Kulen is 487m.
Phnom Krom
Located 12kms southwest of Siem Reap near the north end of the Tonle Sap Lake . It is located on a mountain 137m high. Built at the end of 9 th to beginning 10 th century by Yasovarman I (889-910) and dedicated to the Hindu Trinity-Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Phnom Krom is a square plan and consists of three towers in a row situated dramatically on a hilltop. The towers are enclosed by a laterite wall intersected on each side by an entry tower in the shape of a cross.
