1-Angkor Wat Temple
Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) (Khmer: ?????????), is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation—first Hindu, dedicated to Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country’s prime attraction for visitors.
Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian architecture, with key features such as the Jagati. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs and for the numerous devatas (guardian spirits) adorning its walls.
Angkor provides wonderful photographic opportunities. the monuments and the surrounding jungle afford unlimited textural and lighting opportunities for composing a picture.
Books and guides about Cambodia, its history and Angkor can be bought everywhere, but it can be nice to buy from one of the many kids selling them on the street. The are many free mini-guides and flyers about Siem Reap, giving informations about hotels, restaurants, pubs and events. One of the best is The Siem Reap Angor Visitors Guide, usually coming out quarterly.
These publications exist thanks to the advertisers, that are hotels, restaurants and so on. Consider this also when you read them. It can happen that you get sick, or have an accident, little or big: for these cases, Angkor have 2 main hospitals, one for children and one for adult, but if anybody get seriously sick, it’s better to move it to Bangkok, as the medical standards are not properly high, and there is the risk to be more sick.
On the streets there are many beggars. If you know just a little little bit of Cambodian history, you can recognize many of them as victims of land mines. In this country there is no social security network and the government doesn’t support them. Be also aware that when you start to give, you will often have many more asking around you. If you want to be generous do it with discretion. The people in Siem Reap are really warm and friendly: if you smile back it will be greatly appreciated. Be patient while waiting for your food and your drink, it may take a long time. And Khmer food taste delicious, so it fully worth the wait!!!
2-Phnom Penh City
The capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Phnom Penh,
is located at the confluence of three rivers – the Mekong, the Bassac and Tonle Sap. The city is divided into three sections – the north, an attractive residential area; the south or the French part of the city with its ministries, banks and colonial houses; and the center or the heart with its narrow lanes, markets, foods stalls and shops.
The capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Phnom Penh,is located at the confluence of three rivers – the Mekong, the Bassac and Tonle Sap. The city is divided into three sections – the north, an attractive residential area; the south or the French part of the city with its ministries, banks and colonial houses; and the center or the heart with its narrow lanes, markets, foods stalls and shops.
3-Preah Vihear Temple
Prasat Preah Vihear was built by a succession of several Khmer monarchs beginning with Yasovaraman I and ending with Suriyavaraman II, builder of Angkor Wat. This progressive construction appreciated once at the temple itself, as there are a series of gopura rising to the cliff. Some scholars has contented the site may have been founded earlier still, as evidenced by inscriptions linking it to the son of Jayavaraman II, the first of Angkor’s denaraja,who transported temple of Wat Phu Champasak in Laos.
Located at Svay Chrum Village, Kan Tout Commune, Choam Ksan District, on the mountain rank of Dang Rek (Preah Vihear mountain is 800 Meters x 400 Meters. Preah Vihear Mountain has very steep side from Cambodia and gently sloping side from Thailand. Preah Vihear temple has 405-Kilometer distance from Phnom Penh or 108-Kilometerdistance from the provincial town of Preah Vihear by road No 211 to the Choam Ksan District. Preah Vihear Temple has three accesses: – Access from Thailand for international tourists. – Access from Cambodia by the ancient road via Svay Chrum. At the mountain of Dang Rek, there is a stair stretching up the top where the Preah Vihear temple located. – Access from Cambodia by the Road C1 constructed by Khmer Rouge.
Prasat Preah Vihear was built by a succession of several Khmer monarchs beginning with Yasovaraman I and ending with Suriyavaraman II, builder of Angkor Wat. This progressive construction appreciated once at the temple itself, as there are a series of gopura rising to the cliff. Some scholars has contented the site may have been founded earlier still, as evidenced by inscriptions linking it to the son of Jayavaraman II, the first of Angkor’s denaraja,who transported temple of Wat Phu Champasak in Laos.Located at Svay Chrum Village, Kan Tout Commune, Choam Ksan District, on the mountain rank of Dang Rek (Preah Vihear mountain is 800 Meters x 400 Meters. Preah Vihear Mountain has very steep side from Cambodia and gently sloping side from Thailand. Preah Vihear temple has 405-Kilometer distance from Phnom Penh or 108-Kilometerdistance from the provincial town of Preah Vihear by road No 211 to the Choam Ksan District. Preah Vihear Temple has three accesses: – Access from Thailand for international tourists. – Access from Cambodia by the ancient road via Svay Chrum. At the mountain of Dang Rek, there is a stair stretching up the top where the Preah Vihear temple located. – Access from Cambodia by the Road C1 constructed by Khmer Rouge.
Nowadays, most local people and venders usually. – go up the mountain by the Road C1 because it is easy to go. Preah Vihear temple is the historical site named “Se Khari Svarak” means “power of mountain” and was built at the end of 9th century and at the beginning of 10th century by four Kings namely: – Preah Bat Sorya Varman I from AD 1002-1050. – Preah Bat Sorya Preah Bat Yak So Varman I from AD 889-910. – Varman II from AD 1113-1150. – Preah Bat Chey Varman VI from AD 1080-1109. Preah Vihear temple was handed over by France to Thailand in 1954 and given back to Cambodia by the verdict of the La Er International Court dated 15 June 1962.
