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Travel Professional to Cambodia, Angkor Wat and Thailand - Tours, Hotels, History

Below is a brief description of just some of the places we visit on our tours of Cambodia.

SIEM REAP AND AROUND - Angkor Wat territory

Siem Reap
Siem Reap is the closest town to Angkor Wat situated just a few kilometres away.

Angkor Wat
The 'temple-mountain' Angkor Wat is breathtaking. It was built, or perhaps better, crafted during the 12th century and is one of the seven wonders of the world and the most majestic historical site in South-East Asia. It's westward aspect suggests it was constructed principally as a mausoleum. However, having Hindu origins, the association with the West may indicate a reference to Vishnu, so Angkor Wat was probably also constructed as temple.

Visitors to Angkor Wat are almost consumed by its grandeur: the surrounding moat alone is 190 metres wide and measures 1.5 km by 1.3 kms. Its highest point, the central tower rises 86 metres above ground level.

It is almost impossible to 'take-in' everything Angkor Wat has to offer. There is barely a centimetre that has not been decorated in carving. The outer wall of the central temple complex hosts an 800 metre long series of 9 bas-reliefs, still in incredibly good condition and each one depicting a different story, such as the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.

Bayon

In terms of impact, visual and emotional, the temple of Bayon is a close second to Angkor Wat. At any given moment, you will have the feeling that you are being watched by at least a dozen of its 200 giant meditative faces that are carved into the stone of Bayon's 54 towers.

These faces are the most recognisable symbols of ancient Khmer art. The temple was constructed in the late 12th century and also has an impressive collection of bas-reliefs (about 1,200 metres on the lower level alone) that show, amongst other things, everyday life of that era.

Ta Prohm

Built somewhere between the mid 12th century and the early 13th century, Ta Prohm is perhaps one of the most photogenic temples though the reason for this is controversial. Ta Prohm has been deliberately left to be consumed by banyan trees who grow from its towers.

Kbal Spean
Kbal Spean, the River of a Thousand Lingas ('phallic symbols') is situated in the jungle 49 kilometres from Siem Reap. The river's water is 'fertilised' as it flows over the lingas carved into the stone riverbed. The 45 minute walk up the jungle track is worth the effort. Kbal Spean is an ideal location for a picnic lunch.

Preah Khan
Preah Khan means 'the sacred sword' and was originally erected in homage to Hindu deities then later reconsecrated as a Buddhist monastery in the 11th century. This temple was once the home of Angkor's greatest king, Jayarvaman VII, while his permanent resident in Angkor Thom was being constructed. Preah Khan has plenty of photo opportunities.

Bantey Srey

A small but exquisite temple situated 39 kilometres outside of Siem Reap along the road to Kbal Spean. Its pink sandstone walls are covered in some of the most delicate and ornate carvings of any of the Angkor temples. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and was built in the 10th century.

Angkor Thom
This is the fortified city, built by King, Jayarvaman VII, that encompasses Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Leper Kings, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Royal Enclosure and the Phimeanakas. It is several square kilometres in area and is surrounded by a 100 metre wide moat once infested by crocodiles. The city has five stone gates, each 20 metres high and a monument in itself, the most impressive being the South Gate. The path leading to the entrance of each gate is bordered by 54 giant stone gods (on the left) and 54 giant demons (on the left) and each unique in apparel and facial features. Each gate is crowned by 4 colossal stone faces.

PHNOM PENH

Wat Phnom

The historical founding place of Phnom Penh, Wat Phnom is a small temple set atop Phnom Penh's only hill. It dates back to circa 1370 when Lady Penh built this hill to house 4 Buddha statues she discovered inside a tree floating on the Mekong river. The crowning temple has been rebuilt several times since the 1400's, the last reconstruction being in 1926. Many Khmers come here to pray for success in study and business. It is a great place to get an overview of the city.

Independence Monument

The monument was inaugurated in 1958 to celebrate the independence of Cambodia from foreign rule. It now also serves as a monument to Cambodia’s war dead.

Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
In the grounds of The Royal Palace stands The Silver Pagoda which derives its name from the 5,000 silver tiles, each weighing a kilogram, that cover its floor. First built in 1892 under the reign of King Norodom and reconstructed in 1962. The Silver Pagoda is better known as a kind of museum housing many cultural treasures - such as the Emerald Buddha - than a place of worship. The Silver Pagoda hosts some of Cambodia's most priceless treasures such as a 90 kilogram gold Buddha statue decorated with over 9,000 diamonds, jewelled masks and the gigantic mural, painted around 1900, depicting the epic Ramayana poem.

National Museum
The National Museum houses over 5,000 of the most valuable ancient Khmer relics from around the country. Its oldest exhibits date back to the 4th century. Highlights are the eight-armed Vishnu statue (circa 6th century) and the statue of a meditating King Jayarvaman VII (12th century). It also displays other items such as pottery, bronzes, lingas and statues. The distinctive red traditional-style building is itself a Phnom Penh landmark.

Tuol Sleng (S-21) Genocide Museum
This former school was converted to a prison and place of torture by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Over 17,000 people were held in Tuol Sleng prison in the 4 years prior to the liberation from the Khmer Rouge by the Vietnamese in 1979. Each prisoner was photographically documented, pre and often post torture. Only a handful of prisoners survived Tuol Sleng. The rest were tortured and then taken to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek for execution.

The Killing Fields
See Tuol Sleng

The Russian Market
The best place in Cambodia to haggle for Khmer artwork and handicrafts, including real and fake antiques.