The Temples of Angkor & Siem Reap

Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992 and scattered throughout a large area of forest, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins who together comprise one of the world’s greatest man-made wonders of the world and their artistic and archaeological significance place it alongside other iconic sites such as the Pyramids, Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal.

• Admire the temples of the Khmer Empire in Angkor
• Hunt for bargains in the night markets
• Explore the incredible countryside scenery & rural village life by Bicycle
• Kayak on beautiful Tonle Sap Lake
• Be dazzled by Phare, The Cambodian circus’s spectacular performance

Built between 800 and 1200 AD, the temples of Angkor were the result of the creative ambition and spiritual devotion of successive Cambodian kings all trying to out-do their ancestors and it culminated in Angkor Wat itself, which is the largest of all the temples and the world’s largest religious monument. As the Khmer empire faded so this vast temple complex was gradually abandoned to the forest, which slowly grew over it, thus it was only rediscovered in 1861 by the French explorer, Henri Mouhot. Perhaps the most famous and impressive are the walled city of Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, the Bayon temple, Preah Khan and Ta Phrom, but there are over fifty temples in all and it is well worth spending at least five days here if time allows.

Once a sleepy little village, Siem Reap is now the bustling gateway to the magnificent temples of Angkor and home to most of the luxury hotels. As well as the temples, there are many other sights and activities including silk farms, boat trips on Tonle Sap Lake to see floating villages, Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, biking through the countryside and Apsara dance shows.