Angkor Wat is the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Cambodia. The majestic galleries of Angkor Wat will leave you in awe, while the smiling faces of Bayon make you feel watched from all directions. Ta Prohm, known from "Tomb Raider," tells a tale of love and hate between trees and towers. Angkor Wat is Cambodia's iconic symbol, carrying the history of this ancient kingdom as an eternal landscape.
Located on the outskirts of Siem Reap, Cambodia, Siem Reap's name means "defeat of Siam" in Khmer, which relates to its proximity to Thailand, just a two-hour drive away. Cambodia is a Buddhist country, with 95% of the population practicing Buddhism, and Angkor Wat represents its past. It is the world's largest religious monument, witnessing the succession from the Khmer empire to Hinduism. Today, each village has a pagoda to accommodate monks. During important festivals like Cambodian New Year and Pchum Ben (Ancestors' Day), people visit the pagodas with flowers and offerings, seeking blessings from the monks.
Surrounded by tropical rainforest, the climate in Angkor Wat is hot and humid year-round. The dry season from November to March is the best time to visit, to witness beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Beyond the temples, the countryside represents the purest form of Cambodia. Travelers can rent a bicycle from the city and ride through the flower-covered villages, greet local children, and enjoy a fresh coconut. Life seems to have stayed the same for centuries.
"The Smiling of Khmer" famous throughout the world is in Banteay Srei, where there are 54 large and small pagodas, each with a different image of the smile of King Jayavarman VII. When tourists walk among the pagodas, they seem to be smiling and staring calmly from various angles."
Banteay Srei, Queen's Palace
The Royal Palace is arguably the most unique and beautiful building in Angkor Wat, with its intricate carvings resembling needlework on brick. The palace is said to have been built and carved by women, and boasts a small and delicate structure.
Beng Mealea
This collapsed temple shrouded by jungle emits a mysterious aura and incomplete beauty, and its primal dilapidated atmosphere creates a unique landscape, which is a treasure trove to photography enthusiasts.
Tonle Sap Lake, located in Southeast Asia, is the largest freshwater lake in the region. It is connected to the Mekong River and has many towns along its shores, including Siem Reap. The sunset views at Tonle Sap Lake are breathtaking and definitely worth seeing. Additionally, you can visit several floating villages, with Chong Khneas and Kampong Phluk being the most famous ones. It is recommended to visit Chong Khneas as Kampong Phluk has become a more commercialized tourist spot, with ticket fees benefiting private companies. Chong Khneas is further away from Siem Reap and has fewer tourists, making it a suitable choice for eco-tourism. Your ticket fees also contribute to the income of the entire village, providing support to the local residents.
