The enormous Buddhist temple complex of Angkor Wat is a magical and fascinating place to visit. One of the largest religious structures anywhere in the world, the temples form just a small part of the ancient city of Angkor which covers a huge area in northern Cambodia.

A must-see sight for anyone visiting this part of southeast Asia, and featured in our special Cambodia tour itinerary, here’s our guide to Angkor Wat:

The City of Angkor

First of all, let’s clarify what we’re talking about when we reference Angkor Wat. Angkor is the name of the city that was first established at the end of the 9th century by the powerful Khmer kingdom, and then added to and expanded by subsequent Khmer rulers.

Angkor Wat itself is a huge temple within the city, built in the 12th century. Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, the temple gradually changed to a Buddhist site and is the only part of Angkor that was not completely abandoned after the city itself went into decline in the 1400’s.

A Brief History of Angkor

At the start of the 800’s, King Jayavarman II unified the Khmer people and declared independence from the surrounding states. This created the foundation of what is now Cambodia, and the Khmer empire ruled for centuries.

His successor Yasovarman I founded a new capital city, centered on the temple mountain of Phnom Bakheng (still visitable today). This city was both a holy place, with multiple temples dedicated to Hindu gods, and a regular place for people to live. Yasovarman also ordered the construction of a huge reservoir and canals, which still exist now.

Ancient Angkor underwent a lot of change while the Khmer empire ruled. Each new king added more buildings, making the city the largest urban settlement anywhere in the world before the Industrial Revolution – bigger even than modern day Paris!

Angkor Becomes a Tourist Destination

In the 1400’s however Angkor was abandoned. The reason for this has never been conclusively proven, with various theories from war to climate change, but the majority of the complex was left to nature. The central temple of Angkor Wat remained a Buddhist shrine and small groups of local people still lived in and around the buildings.

These locals would occasionally show foreign visitors the ruins, but it wasn’t until the late 1800’s that the wonders of Angkor were shared more widely. French archaeologists undertook a decades-long project to reclaim the ruins from the surrounding jungle, as well as seeking to understand the Khmer empire and the story of Angkor. The Khmer people left no written records beyond inscriptions carved in stone, so our knowledge of their empire relies heavily on the reliefs and archaeological findings here.

In 1992 an area of Angkor spread out on around 400 square kilometers was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and the process of opening the space to visitors was started. This designation was intended to help preserve the huge space for the future, both for visitors but also the local people. Work has also been organized by the World Monuments Fund and other institutions so it is not unusual to see active restoration work when you visit.

The Temple of Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is the most well known temple within the city of Angkor, and is the one that you are guaranteed to see when you visit.

The History of Angkor Wat

Khmer king Suryavarman II ordered a new temple to be built in 1122, designed to be his state temple at the heart of the capital city. Construction of Angkor Wat took decades, and while the structure was complete, some of the decorations were not when Suryavarman died in 1150.

His death prompted a period of unrest, with invasions from neighboring kingdoms a regular occurrence. The Khmer empire was saved by Jayavarman VII who defeated the invaders and unified the different political factions, stopping their infighting. He ruled for 37 years, and throughout his reign he commissioned numerous building projects to improve the lives of his people.

Angkor Wat was built as a Hindu temple, dedicated to Vishnu, but Jayavarman was Buddhist. He therefore started converting the temple to a Buddhist site, replacing Hindu images with Buddhist art. This conversion saved Angkor Wat from the same fate as some of the other temples in Angkor, as it continued to be used as a sacred site even after the Khmer empire fell in the 1400’s.

In the 1860’s the temple was found by French explorers, who wrote of their discoveries in travel notes that were published in Europe. This came at a time when Europeans were fascinated by the ancient world, with discoveries in Egypt, Italy, Greece and beyond proving extremely popular. People have been visiting ever since.

All About the Temple Complex

The temple complex is around 400 acres, making it the largest religious monument anywhere in the world. First you must cross the moat to reach Angkor Wat, when you will be met with the huge walls that surround the site.

These walls protect the inner sacred temple grounds and allow access to the temple proper. The magnificent temple has three galleries of different sizes and five huge stone towers. The central tower represents the mythical Mount Meru (which is held to be at the center of the universe in the Hindu and Buddhist faiths) and even today Angkor Wat is covered with beautiful representations of Khmer art.

There are numerous bas reliefs carved into the stone of the temple. These bas reliefs represent eight different Hindu stories of life and the universe, with the most important being the ‘Churning of the Ocean of Milk’, which tells the story of how the universe was created. Looking at these impressive figures and the tales they tell, it is easier to start envisioning Angkor Wat as it would have been in the past.

You can spend hours exploring the different galleries, terraces and courtyards by yourself, but the best way to see them is with an expert local guide who can explain what you’re seeing – the Angkor temples are so vast it can be difficult to understand without a guide.

Other Angkor Sites

While today Angkor Wat is the most popular sight within the city of Angkor, there are many more parts to see. To us, these are the most important and interesting places to add to your itinerary:

Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom was a city within a city, founded by the same king who turned Angkor Wat into a Buddhist temple. While he controlled Angkor Wat and the surrounding area, the king Jayavarman wanted a new city to rule from.

At the heart of Angkor Thom stands the Bayon temple mountain, which was one of the few temples in Angkor that was Buddhist from the start. The city temple is covered in intriguing smiling faces, and it is thought that these were given the likeness of the king.

There are more faces on the towers above the city gates, and one of our favorite elements, the Terrace of the Elephants. Named for the carvings of elephants (mixed in with other animals and people) that stretch along the 350 meter terrace, this is an excellent place to get pictures of Angkor Thom and the surrounding area.

Ta Prohm Temple

Another building commissioned by King Jayavarman in the 12th century, Ta Prohm was originally a place of learning and Buddhist monastery. Once home to thousands of Buddhist monks, when Angkor was abandoned the jungle reclaimed it. No mortar was used in construction so the trees have grown into the stonework, creating a truly unique environment.

When work was started in the early 20th century to restore and preserve Angkor, it was decided that Ta Prohm would be left alone as a testament to the power of the jungle. This decision has been upheld through to today, and beyond the addition of wooden walkways and platforms, and some essential restoration work, Ta Prohm is as it has been for centuries.

Banteay Srei

Further away from Angkor Wat is the beautiful temple of Banteay Srei. Built in the 10th century, it is primarily dedicated to the god Shiva, and is well worth taking the journey to see it. The temple was built with red sandstone that is covered in carved bas reliefs. The stone almost looks like wood and the detail of the decoration is much more intricate than in other places.

Being located around 16 miles from Angkor Wat, less visitors make their way here so you can spend plenty of time admiring all the artwork without the crowds.

Visiting Angkor Wat

If you’re planning to visit Angkor Wat and the wider city, it is not difficult to do but there are some important things to know.

Transport to and Around the Site

Firstly, you will need to get to the city of Siem Reap. Located around 15 minutes drive from Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is essentially the gateway to the ancient site. The city has its own airport with connections to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh and also international flights, so is the most convenient route into the area.

Once you’re in Siem Reap, you can take a taxi or tuk-tuk to the entrance of Angkor Wat. We recommend speaking with your hotel to arrange a reliable driver if you go this route, but it is better to hire a driver who is also a guide. There are lots of people in Siem Reap offering this service who know the temples well and can explain all the historical context Angkor Wat deserves. Of course, if you join us then all this is taken care of.

You can also hire bikes in Siem Reap to explore by yourself, but unless you’re experienced in cycling in hot conditions and rough terrain, we do not recommend this as an option.

Visitor Information

Arranging entrance to Angkor Wat and the surrounding city is straightforward. You will need to purchase an entry pass (use the official website here: https://www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh/) for either one day, three days or one week. Think about how deeply you want to explore, how long you want to stay in Siem Reap and if you want to do sunset or sunrise visits, and then decide on your entry pass.

Angkor Wat and some of the other temples open from 5AM to allow for the special sight of the sun rising over the stunning buildings, but otherwise visiting hours start at 7:30AM. Again, check the official website linked above for specific timings for individual temples.

Remember that Angkor Wat and the other temples are sacred sites so all visitors are required to dress modestly and be respectful. Men, women and children need to wear clothing that covers knees and shoulders, and doing anything to damage or disrespect the site is strictly forbidden. You should also remember that it will be hot no matter what time of year you visit, so make sure to wear lightweight clothing and bring plenty of water and food with you.

Angkor Wat and the other parts of the ancient city of Angkor are some of the most incredible pieces of history we’ve ever seen. There is so much beauty and architectural genius to admire that you need at least a couple of days to appreciate it – which is why our Cambodia tour spends multiple days exploring. If you’re interested in joining us in this very special place, or want to know more about what to expect, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.