Tep Pranam      

Another loosely visited site in Angkor Thom is Tep Pranam. The main feature here is the 4.5 m high Buddha at the end of the pathway. Originally constructed in the 9th Century during the reign of Yasovarman I, this Buddha has since been reconstructed. A nearby convent houses an order of Buddhist nuns who care for the Buddha and surrounding grounds. During our visit we were the only visitors to the site and a visit here doesn’t take long, allow about ten minutes to see the entire site.

Directions: Located in Central Angkor Thom Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/temples/temp-teppra.htm

Best Sunset in Angkor

If you want to see a spectacular sunset in Angkor but want to avoid the hordes of tourists at Angkor Wat head to the bridge just outside the South Gate of Angkor Thom. We found this spot entirely by accident. After we saw the start of sunset over The Banyon Temple our driver started to take us back toward Angkor Wat, thinking that’s what every tourist wants. As we passed through the South Gate we saw the most glorious sunset and asked our driver to stop. There were scant few other tourists there to share in the moment, compared to the masses at Angkor Wat. It was a quiet and peaceful way to enjoy the setting sun in Angkor. I would, most certainly, opt to enjoy the sunset here over any other place we found in Angkor. A moment not to be missed!

Directions: On the bridge outside the South Gate of Angkor Thom Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/srtemples.htm

Sras Srang  

If you want to avoid the crowds teeming around Angkor Wat for the sunrise check out Sras Srang. This active pool provides a peaceful venue to welcome the morning, in fact you’ll be surrounded more by the local area vendors waiting for the tourists to arrive for the day then other tourists. This pool, located directly across from the east entrance of Banteay Kdei, was constructed for Jayavarman VII. It was constructed in the mid 10th century but was remodeled in the late 12th century. The architecture features naga (ancient Angkorian snakes) and lions along the balustrade.

We visited on our second morning in Angkor. It was pitch dark when we arrived so we didn’t know what to expect. The spot had been a recommendation from our new driver, Happy. In the dark some of the local children helped us to find the public toilets, which we never would have found on our own. The children are sweet and helpful, but they will also be trying to sell you everything from breakfast to scarves to books. Don’t make any empty promises to stop them from harassing you as they won’t forget your promises. Just be direct, and remember these children are professionals – they know exactly how to pull on a tourist’s heartstrings to make a sale. But the heavy sale aside, interacting with some of these kids made this morning special. We actually ate breakfast separately because I had made a promise to eat with the cute little girl who helped me to the bathroom and Marc had done the same with a little boy. I got a handmade picture from the little girl after breakfast as she was running off to school.

Directions: Located directly across from the east entrance of Banteay Kdei Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/temples/temp-srahsrang.htm

Banteay Kdei

After watching the sunrise over Sras Srang walk on over to Banteay Kdei. The eastern entrance to this temple is just across the street. Construction on this temple started in the mid 12th century and went through to the 13th century for King Jayavarman VII. Multiple vendors can be found in the area next to the pool at Sras Srang so it’s an option for a breakfast or lunch visit. It’s also a lesser temple so it won’t be as overrun with other visitors like Angkor Wat or Ta Prohm, in fact we visited this temple just after sunrise at nearby Sras Srang and only saw two other tourists on our visit. Driving by later in the afternoon there were many more people streaming through.

Directions: The east entrance to this temple is located directly west of Sras Srang. Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/temples/temp-bankdei.htm

Ta Prohm, The "Tomb Raider" Temple       

One of the most popular temples in Angkor is Ta Prohm, also known as the Jungle Temple. Ta Prohm was built for Jayvarman VII in the mid 12th to early 13th centuries. Its modern-day fame spread by it’s inclusion the recent “Tomb Raider” movies starring Angelina Jolie, because of which this temple is always high on any tourist list and is therefore crowded most of the day. I highly recommend visiting this site first thing in the morning if you’re looking to avoid the crowds. Since most people visit legendary Angkor Wat for sunrise Ta Prohm is generally quiet then. Our second day in Angkor we visited Ta Prohm second, after sunrise at Sras Srang and a quick trip to Banteay Kdei, allowing us to explore this breathtaking site in relative calm.

Directions: West of Banteay Kdei on the Small Tour Circuit Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/temples/temp-taprohm.htm

Ta Keo       

Perhaps one of my favorite temples that we visited in Angkor was Ta Keo. I think it was more of the whole experience we had while visiting this temple that made it so special. We arrived here on our second morning after a visit to Ta Prohm and we were the only visitors to the temple when we arrived. Ta Keo features an extremely steep set of stairs you must climb to reach the top of the temples. Fortunately, this temple is not as popular as the famous Angkor Wat, so although the steps here are as precipitous you’re not competing with the hordes to scale them so it’s a seemingly less dangerous climb. Construction on Ta Keo was begun in the late 10th century and completed in the 11th century for Jayavarman V. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. Ta Keo means Mountain with Golden Peaks.

During our visit we climbed to the top of the temple and started to explore. The upper level of Ta Keo provides great views of the surrounding jungle and gives a nice birds-eye view the temple. Here we encountered a small group of temple children who apparently care for, and live in and around this temple. These children weren’t selling anything and were more interested in playing with the other children in the temple than wacky tourists like us. Later into our visit we were joined by more guests, some being a group of saffron robed monks who acted more like teenaged tourists than introspective men of the cloth. They were as fascinated with us (and the other tourists) as we were of them.

Directions: Past the Victory (East) Gate of Angkor Thom on the Small Tour Circuit on the western border of the East Baray. Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/temples/temp-takeo.htm

Preah Khan

Preah Khan (meaning Sacred Sword) is a large Buddhist monastery and school constructed in the late 12th century for Jayavarman VII. We entered Preah Khan crossing the bridge over the moat that surrounds the facility. At the bridge we met a local man in a police uniform (although we later reasoned that he probably wasn’t actually a police officer) who spoke decent English and offered to take us on a tour of the area. He didn’t ask for any money up front. He spent an hour taking us through this massive structure and we learned so much more about Preah Khan than we ever would have on our own. He was patient and knowledgeable and allowed us to tour at our own pace while providing excellent insight, all for his love of this temple, a chance to practice his English and, I am sure, in hopes of a small tip for his services, which we gladly provided. Allow yourself a little extra time to explore Preah Khan as this site is huge with lots to see.

Directions: Located past the North Gate of Angkor Thom on the Grand Tour Circuit. Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/temples/temp-preahkhan.htm

Neak Pean

Neak Pean is an unique Angkor site because it was actually a series of swimming pools built in the late 12th century for Jayavarman VII. We visited in February, during the dry season, so the pools were completely dry allowing full access to all areas for exploration. I have heard that it is best viewed during the wet season when the pools accumulate water, but I wouldn’t know firsthand. Just a word of caution on your visit, since this site is a large pool, rather than a temple, there aren’t any trees to provide shade from the intense heat of the sun so be prepared; wear sunblock and a hat or come in the early morning or late afternoon when the temperature is cooler.

  Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/temples/temp-neakpean.htm

Ta Som

Ta Som is a lesser temple featuring a face similar to the faces of Angkor Wat. This temple is relatively free of crowds and doesn’t take long to visit. It is a Buddhist temple, built in the late 12th century for Jayavarman VII.

  Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/temples/temp-tasom.htm

East Mebon

Our visit to East Mebon introduced us to a new architectural style in Angkor, one similar to that of neighboring Pre Rup. It is a Hindu temple constructed in the late 10th century for Rajendravarman II and dedicated to Shiva. Website: http://www.canbypublications.com/siemreap/temples/temp-emebon.htm