Roluos Temples
This Roluos Group of Temples is one of the earliest and largest permanent temples built by the Khmer people. It is a masterpiece of King Indravarman I and represents the beginning of the Khmer classical art period. It includes major temples such as Preah Ko Temple, Bakong Temple, and Lolei Temple.
Preah Ko Temple consists of six stone pavilions facing east, arranged in two rows. These pavilions are decorated with sandstone carvings and plaster reliefs, and are one of the best-preserved artworks at Angkor. Three sacred cows sit atop the temple's towers, although they are partially damaged due to the passage of time.
Bakong Temple is a larger and more interesting temple in the Roluos Group. On the north side of the entrance to the temple's east, there is an active Buddhist monastery. Bakong Temple was built by King Indravarman I and dedicated to the god Shiva. There are eight towers constructed of mixed brick and sandstone on either side of the temple, as well as two small sanctuaries. At the base of these eight towers, some stone statues from the late Angkor period are partially visible.
Angkor Wat in Angkor, Cambodia
The Angkor Wat is one of the world's largest religious building complexes and a great marvel of ancient East. It is a general term for the Angkor archaeological park, located approximately 6 kilometers north of the city center of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Angkor Wat is recognized as one of the four greatest marvels of ancient East, with the architectural style of Angkor Wat even becoming a symbol on the Cambodian national flag.
Royal Palace in Phnom Penh
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, also known as the Royal Palace of the Four Arms Bay, is a complex of buildings filled with traditional Khmer architectural style and religious atmosphere. It is located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, at the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers, hence its name. The construction of the palace began in 1866 and lasted for about four years, ordered by King Norodom.
The Royal Palace is the palace of the Cambodian king, consisting of multiple buildings with golden roofs and yellow walls, displaying its traditional Khmer architectural style. These buildings include the Throne Hall, the Moonlight Pavilion, the Silver Pagoda, the Khemarin Palace, the Hor Samran Phirun, and many other palaces of varying sizes. Every palace has spires, symbolizing prosperity. Yellow is the symbol of Buddhism and white represents Hinduism. The architectural corridors are decorated with magnificent relief wall paintings inspired by Angkor Wat, depicting the magnificent achievements of past dynasties and religious stories.
At the exit of the palace, tourists can enjoy traditional music performances, in which most of the performers are physically disabled due to landmines. The spacious lawn in front of the palace has become a place for people to relax. At dusk, local residents, monks, and tourists from all over the world gather here, creating a lively scene.
It should be noted that currently, the area of the Royal Palace open to the public is limited, mainly including the Silver Pagoda, the Throne Hall, and surrounding courtyards.
