Siem Reap and Its Surroundings

Siem Reap

Siem Reap today, being a popular tourist destination, has a large number of hotels and restaurants. Smaller establishments are concentrated around the Old Market area, while more expensive hotels are located between Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport and the town along National Road 6. The population is around 850000.

The Rolous Group of monuments

The Rolous Group of monuments -Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko dating from the late 9th Century, which are close together and extend over an area of three kilometers (1.9 miles) east of the Great Lake. These temples are the earliest site of the 600 years Angkor Period that is open to visitors.

The Grand Circuit includes Neak Pean, Preah Khan, Pre Rup, Prsat Kravan, etc.

Neak Pean is an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island in Preah Khan Baray built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII in the 9th Century.
Pre Rup was built in second half of the 1oth Century (961) and built entirely of brick and laterite, the warm tones of these materials are best to see early in the morning or when the sun is setting. The main point of interest at Prasat Kravan is the sculpture on the interior of two of the five towers.

The group of Angkor Thom temples is one of the prides of the Angkor.

Angkor Thom is undeniably an expression of the highest genius. It is, in three dimensions and on a scale worthy of an entire nation, the materialization of Buddhist cosmology, representing ideas that only great painters would dare to portray. The last capital of the Khmer Empire was a fortified city enclosing residences of priest, officials of the palace and military, as well as buildings for administering the kingdom.

Angkor Wat (The Cardamom Sanctuary)

Angkor Wat, built in the first half of 12th century, is unrivaled in its beauty and preservation. Its mightiness and magnificence bespeak a pomp and a luxury surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than that of the Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal. Actually it is a miniature replica of the universe in stone and represents an earthly model of the cosmic world. The central tower rises from the center of the monument symbolizing the mythical mountain, Meru, situated at the center of the universe. Its five towers correspond to the peaks of Meru. The outer wall corresponds to the mountains at the edge of the world, and the surrounding moat the oceans beyond. Angkor was forgotten for 400 years, the city was overrun by a jungle. The temple still stayed in great shape because of the fine sand foundations that the Khmer people had built. Rain caused the clay in the sandstone to dissolve, in effect weakening the structures. However, it is still one of the World’s Heritage sites.

The small circuit consists of Takeo, Ta Prohm, Srah Srang, East Mobone, etc.

Ta Keo (the tower of crystal or glass) was built in the end of the 10th Century to early 11th century dedicated to Siva (Hindu), replica to Kleang style of art. It is dripping with green and crowned with trees, but is still supreme over the forest.
Ta Prohm (Jungle Temple) is a state of beauty, which is investigated with delight and left with regret. It is especially serene and beautiful in the early morning. It was built about mid-12th century to early 13th century (1186) dedicated to the mother of the king (Buddhist) replica to Bayon style of art. Fig, banyan and kapok trees spread their gigantic roots over stones, probing walls and terraces apart, as their branches and leaves intertwine to form a roof over the structures. Trunks of trees twist amongst stone pillars. A Sanskrit inscription on stone, still in place, gives details of the temple.

East Mebone, a pyramid of receding terraces, the most effective being the five towers which crown the top could any conception be lovelier. The East Mebon is 500metre (1,640feet) north of Pre Rup. It was built in the second half of the tenth century (952) by king Rajendravarman II, dedicated to Siva (Hindu), an ancestor temple in memory of the parents of the king.

The 10th century temple of Banteay Srei (the City of Women) is renowned for its intricate decoration carved in pinkish sandstone that covers the walls like tapestry. Banteay Samre Temple is worth the extra effort to experience the elaborate architecture, and fine carvings, although theft has mutilated many of the temple’s treasures. It was built in the 12th century.