Angkor Wat (The Temples of Angkor)

Cambodia.. what a life changing trip... I highly recommend it!! First I walked the killing fields of Cambodiain in Phnom Phen .. skulls,teeth,clothes mass graves... It was facing full on the darkest side of Humanity that lurks within us all... I walked in silence and wondered "where was the world ? where was I " .. in the same country I also saw the brightest light of the human spirit in the faces and smiles of the people.. what happens when you remove everything you have???? what is left? life.. love.. no choice but to live in the moment.. cant do any thing but...
My 7 hour boat ride up river to Sien Reap on a boat roof was amazing.. saw poverty unlike ever before... then the ruins of the temples of Angkor out did any ,Roman,Greek, Mayan,even Egyptian.. spectacular.. so worth seeing.. I had a massage by a blind person in a empowerment program.. This truly was a trip I will never forget

What an excellent adventure! It started in Bangkok where my friend Bruce (From Australia) met my son and me at the Hualamphong train station early in the morning. We found our train easily and boarded it for the border. My son elected to nap most of the way (jet lag) and Bruce stayed busy capturing photographs. Mesmerized by the beauty of the countryside, I found myself glued to the window. At the end of the line, the three of us grabbed a tuk-tuk to the border. Getting across the border proved much easier than we anticipated and we quickly found our prearranged taxi to Siem Reap. The three of us rode out of town on a scenic, albeit very bumpy, and greatly undeveloped road to Siem Reap. Upon reaching the Siem Reap, we were initially confused as none of us expected the development we found. It turns out that the city of Siem Reap is a showcase venue for Cambodia , offering all the hospitalities and conveniences of home – wherever that may be. Once there, we checked in to our guest house and immediately secured a tuk-tuk driver/guide for our explorations of Angkor Wat for the following two days. .We then settled in to our guesthouse for the afternoon and enjoying a few cold beverages and a good dinner. We took the evening to recuperate from our day’s travels and to prepare for the feast that is Angkor . The next morning we had an early breakfast and met up with our tuk-tuk driver/guide. We were off to explore Angkor . First, we explored Angkor Thom. Of course, we found it amazing. The entire place is amazing. These places were unbelievably beautiful and left us truly awe struck. We took lunch among the ruins, which was surreal and afterwards we explored the Bayon Temple . The experience was phenomenal. As we bumped along on our way back to Siem Reap, we honestly could not believe what we had experienced. We had a good evening, spending most dining and enjoying the sights and sounds of Siem Reap. We met a family from Australia that we had drinks with and we all enjoyed good company and travel stories. The next morning our tuk-tuk driver was waiting for us after a quick breakfast and we were off to the Temple of Angkor Wat . Angkor Wat was stunning. The sun was rising as we arrived and Bruce set off to capture some good photographs. My son and I began walking and taking it all in. What we saw prompted some great conversation and I was filled with appreciation. We watched young monks within the temple and I saw that my son was captivated by this experience. I was enraptured by all that I saw. We left The Temple of Angkor Wat late in the day. There was a concert performance at the site and authorities were anxious to get everyone out of the temple. We left the Temple of Angkor Wat , each of us hoping to return again some day. Angkor should not be rushed. It should be absorbed slowly and purposefully. It should be enjoyed, a pleasure to all the senses. If a place can change your life, this could be the place. Good journeys!

Cost me $20 to get in to the temple site and it was worth every bit. In fact I would have paid a lot more to see this amazing place. Take not people, the area the temples cover is huge. The best way to get around is to hire a tuk tuk to take you to the temples from your guest house and then for them to drive you around the temples all day. This doesn't cost a lot and definately makes the day a lot easier. I think it cost me around $20 for the tuk tuk all day. I arrived at approx 08:00 and only left at approx 17:00. A long day, and hard going in the heat. The temples are beautiful and it's worth obtaining a written guide from somewhere so that you can read about the history of each temple as you visit them. The most magical part of my day at the temples was when I climbed Bakheng Hill to watch the sunset over the Angkor Wat temple.... Absolutely breathtaking. But make sure you get there in plenty of time because this is a popular attraction and it can get quite busy up there with people hoping to catch the best views.

I was there for 3 days and it was one of the most amazing holidays I've had. The Temples of Angkor just awe you with the intricacies and the forethought in its architecture, you simply cannot believe the civilization was so advanced for that period of time. A day pass costs USD20 and gives you access to the whole park but if you think you can walk it, think again. Main mode of transportation are the tuk-tuks which charge based on if you take the big tour, which covers the entire Angkor complex, or the small tour which mainly covers the most famous temples like Bakheng, Ta Prohm and Angkor. If you plan on doing the big tour, which covers more or less 21 temples, I suggest taking the 3 day pass as this way you do not have to rush and get to enjoy the temples more. It gets only 4 stars though because I guess the management cannot cope with the amount of people visiting there and many of the sites are/have crumbling/crumbled largely due to tourism.

I love photography. In coming days am planning to travel Combodia especially the places like, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, etc. There I would like to explore the temples with the medium of my photography....Can anyone recommend me any of the appropriate cultural or photography tour to Combodia?? One of the tur option I stuck with is: http://www.ekoventure.com/trips/south_east_asia-cambodia-angkor_wat-culinary_travel-cultural_tours-photography-historical-education-exploration-luxury-soft_adventure-trails-of-indochina-18490

If you visit Angkor and wonder about your route, travel guides have several suggestions in which order to approach the various temples, one being to visit smaller temples first before going to Angkor Wat. I recommend the opposite: Make Angkor Wat the very first temple of your tour. If you visit a couple of others first, you might consider Angkor Wat to be not as impressive as you thought it should be. Don´t worry that the remainder could pale in comparison - it´s simply not the case.

Wow, certainly the most amazing of the historic ruins I have visited in S.E. Asia. Collection of dozens of seperate temples and grounds spreading over a huge area just north of Siam Reap once used as great universities and religious centers. Most of the temples were Hindu, but have been retrofited with Buddhas in addition. One gets the feeling that these religions coexist peacifully on this timeless, yet ancient site. Three days were hardly enough for me to experience this place.

One of te Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Angkor Wat is a must see when visiting Cambodia. The anchitechure of the Temple in itself is inspiring. The archiology within astonding and the feeling that of achievement. Also visit the surrounding Temples, expecially Ankor Thom, with the trees growing from the roof tops of the temple and walkways it is like something out of Indianna Jones. Beautiful, with a feeling of isolation and a long lost temple.

This is still a National Geographic moment. If you want to see the magnificent city of Angkor Wat, don't wait. The area is losing its character with development. Cambodia is poor, but very friendly. Bring lots of $1 bills, everything is a dollar, and I recommend a local guide. We stayed at Casa Angkor, a colonial hotel with charm and a good service. Cambodia is inexpensive and working hard to join the modern world.

It will take 2 or 3 days to visit all the temples.In ancient times, Angkor Watt was one big city with all these temples inside.It's amazing how they ould build this all without any power from machines or what so ever.U won't regret it if ur planning ur holiday over there.Have fun ,ladies and gentlemen.Should u have more questions to ask, u know where 2 find me,lolz. Take care all, have fun and be safe !!!

It is truly breath taking ... The temple (Wat in Khmer) was built around 1000 AD and is magnificent. You can walk all around inside and around its walls. Along the walls are Hindu stories, myths, etc., set in relief telling the tales of the (Hindu version) creation of the world, battles, and general history of the area. This is one of my very favorite places in the world.

Absoultely huge. You can literally spend hours upon end here. We hired a guy to drive us around for the day taking us to all the ruins. We would spend a few hours in one spot, he'd wait for us and when we're ready to move on he'd drive us to the next place. Absolutely well worth visiting. If you happen to be in Thailand anyway, it's a good idea to try tie this in as it's not so far.

Absoultely huge. You can literally spend hours upon end here. We hired a guy to drive us around for the day taking us to all the ruins. We would spend a few hours in one spot, he'd wait for us and when we're ready to move on he'd drive us to the next place. Absolutely well worth visiting. If you happen to be in Thailand anyway, it's a good idea to try tie this in as it's not so far.

I have had the chance to visit this place just after the first free elections in Cambodia in July 1993. The entire temple site almost for myself only. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit if you are interested in ancient architecture and religious sites. Take your time there as the place is huge and there are a lot of things to see.

Undoubtedly one of the most awesome ancient complexes in the world. Go at sunrise and again at sunset. In between tour some of the other temple sites. Tell your guide you want to see the temple where they filmed some of Laura Croft. The stone structure seems to wrestling with trees that grow around and into it. Great picture opportunity!

THE must-see in Cambodia. Unfortunately, I also like to think of it as the "Disneyland of Asia" - the hordes of tourists and weak attempts to preserve the temples mean that many of the intricate architectural designs are quickly fading due to too many people touching the rock faces and wearing them down.

To come here, and feel how big we (people) could build soooo many years ago. Amazing! I'm a little bit sad, because I think it's a big different beetwen the present's architecture and that 1000-yeared-old one. And every square centimetre is a wonder, how they graved the stones. For me it was the best: the little patterns.

Absolutely breathtaking! Bayon temple was my absolute favorite, so beautiful! A definite must-see on any SE Asia vacation! We negotiated a 3 day tuk-tuk deal and didn't have to hassle with finding a driver. Ours was prompt, friendly, and very helpful.

Probably the most incredible place I'd ever been... Until now :) Saw it for so many times during the few days I spent there (at sunrise, during the day, at sunset, during night) and there are still so many places around there to discover and explore!

anchor wat is amazing... the people are friendly but sometimes a little to pushy with you want to buy.....and even if you buy something they want you to buy more for your family and friends.. sunrise is awsome hear is a must do!!!

Probably the most incredible place I'd ever been... Until now :) Saw it so many times in the few days I spent there (at sunrise, during the day, at sunset, at night) but still so many places there to discover and explore...

When you plan a trip to Angkor always bear in mind that threre a are lots of temples in the jungle, so plan a few days there to dicover. My favorite was Ta Prohm. Left untouched by archeologists it's in a natural state.

these temples are amazing! make sure you get up early and go see the sunrise, its breath-taking. if your there for a few days its worth getting a temple pass for about $40, you need to show it everywhere.

Ah well, not sure I can add much more to what has already been written about Angkor. Certainly worth the $40 I paid for my three day pass. I plan to go again when back in the region.

I love these ruins. Sunrise at the main temple is unreal.  And if you get to some of the further out ruins they are virtually abandoned. Go early or stay late to get the most solitude.

This is simply the most beautiful place in south east asia. It's a mandatory pit stop. 2 days is enough but 3 is best Michel

angkor what? wie gerne würde man da mal mit dem Fingers chnippen und schwups......in eine andere zeit verschwinden...eben genau jene Zeit des Angkors....

Lovely ancient site, in the middle of the jungle. Amazing architecture and sculpture. Please also visit the landmine museum, to get in touch with reality.

Hire a guide, there's so much to see, that you really need a local with expertise in the area to get everything out of your visit.

If you go to Siem Reap you have to see the Temples of Ankor Wat. Go early in the morning, around 5 a.m. ,to see the sunrise.

I travelled a lot but these where the most beautifull temples I saw in my life, and that it was built 800 years ago........

NICE!!!! Must See!!!! Die tempel sind der absolute hammer!!! Für jeden Asienreisenden ein muss...

Get up super early to catch the sunrise, and if your lucky, perhaps even a photo without the tourist hordes. 

awesome place, hire a tuktuk and spend a day, no more is require so dont bother with the 3 day pass

a incredible hidden Place in a middle of nowhere.... need atleast 3 days to see all the temples!!!

a lot to see, a lot to learn, but try to be with the locals, they make it worth while

Angkor Watt is really nice to see, but it is not that worth to go there for the sunrise.

More than impressive or amazing, one of the most beautiful things built by mankind

It is a beauty to walk around in the temples and get the mystic of this place!!!

The Temples of Angkor are the greatest attraction in Cambodia.

It was really impressive, but I templed out after a lot of temples.

A true living heritage of the Angkor and (human) civilization!

wonderful temples ! you need more than 1 day to visit the site.

If you miss this, you must be really stupid. Simply to die for.

I agree with everyone, this is the place to see in Cambodia.

beauté intemporelle, magnifique coucher de soleil...

Stunnig in the morning. Make it for 3 days by bike.

What else ... it rules, there's nothing better!!!!

un posto imperidibile, almeno una volta nella vita

A place everyone should try to see in their lifetime.

One of the wonders. Place that you have to see.

Mooiste en grootste religieuze werk in de wereld!

one of the most beautiful places i've ever been

Definitelly the 8th wonder of acient world!

Fascinating temples, walking there 2-3 days

Very beautiful!! Is the Tomb Rider movie :)

So beautiful and spiritual place

amazing!!! must see!!!

Good times! Amazing Place.

Unbelievable!! A must see!!