The Classic Angkor Wat Photograph. |
Angkor Wat
It is best to visit Angkor Wat more than once during your trip to really be able to explore the site. If you only have one day, we recommend coming to Angkor Wat in the morning to see the sun rise and to see the ruins during non-peak hours, tour other ruins in the area in the middle of the day, then return to see Angkor Wat later in the afternoon. You will likely find that Angkor Wat is a lot bigger than you expected. Photographs to not portray the magnitude of the site. To tour the site, we recommend entering through the west entrance, touring the first level which includes the libraries, a gallery, and some beautiful bas-reliefs. The bas-reliefs are amazing and are some of the most impressive artwork from the ancient world. There are also spectacular 'ground-level' views of the five gopuras (or towers) that tower over Angkor Wat. |
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Once you have viewed all the bas reliefs from the first level, climb the steps to get to the second level. The second level has more bas-reliefs, another gallery, and a gopura in each of the four corners. Some of these gopuras are damaged and don't stand as tall as they used to. After scoping out the second level, take the south stairs to get up to the third level (It has a hand rail). The third level has the five tall gopuras that you see in the classic Angkor Wat photograph. The five peaks symbolize the five peaks of the mythical Hindu/Buddhist sacred mountain of Mount Meru. It also has another gallery and more bas-reliefs.
Angkor Wat was built upon elevated berms that extend higher, the closer you get to the middle of the ruins, much like a tiered pyramid structure. So the third level is on the tallest berm or tier, while the first level is at ground level. |
Sunrise over Angkor Wat. |
Other Ruins in the Angkor Archaeological Park
Besides Angkor Wat, the two biggest sites to visit in the area are Angkor Thom and The Bayon. Angkor Thom is located near Angkor Wat and it very worthy of a visit. It was built about 50 years after Angkor Wat and was the last capitol of the Khmer Empire. The centerpiece of Angkor Thom is the Bayon. The Bayon is an ornate temple that has several bas-reliefs and large stone Buddha faces that protrude from its temple walls. The entire Angkor Thom complex was abandoned in the early 17th century and while it is larger in area, it is not as well preserved as Angkor Wat. |
