Angkor Wat: a temple complex in Cambodia. Ancient temples of Cambodia: description, history and interesting facts

Hello dear readers! Today, the goal of our virtual trip will be the temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The Angkor region was the center of Cambujadesh, ancient state Khmer. In addition to Cambodia itself, it included the territories of today's Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.

As is known from, this feudal kingdom existed from the 9th to the 13th centuries. It reached its peak in the 12th century when Angkor Wat was built. History is silent as the temple was called in those days.

Suryavarman II, one of the rulers of the Khmer Empire, erected it in honor of the Hindu god Vishnu. Therefore, there are suggestions that the historical name could sound like "Varah Vishnuloka", that is, "the place where the holy Vishnu lives."

What does the modern name mean?

"Angkor" (from the Sanskrit "nagara") means "city". Interestingly, in Cambujadesh they spoke two languages: the rulers in Sanskrit, and the common people in Khmer. The word "Wat" in the languages of Asian countries can mean a temple, pagoda or monastery.

Angkor Wat temple complex, Cambodia

The Khmer language is no exception here, but it also has a second meaning of the word "Wat": it is "admiration" or "veneration".

Cambodians are incredibly proud of their main shrine. The image of Angkor Wat is present on the state symbols of the country: the coat of arms and the flag.

Thus, the name of the sanctuary can be translated as:

temple city;
city temple;
capital temple.

But in fact, the word Angkor has long become a proper name and therefore cannot be translated in any way. Therefore, Angkor Wat is the temple of Angkor.

Location

The ruins of Angkor are located very close to Siem Reap. It is the capital of the Cambodian province of the same name. Angkor Archaeological Park covers approximately four hundred square meters. km along with its wooded territory.

Temple complex Angkor Wat on the map

Here are the majestic relics of the capitals of the Khmer Empire, which existed at different times from the 9th to the 15th centuries. They include the temple of Angkor Wat, which will be discussed in our story. Angkor Archaeological Park has been under the protection of UNESCO since 1992.

Rediscovering the world

The once great Kambujadesh was bled dry by endless wars with neighbors and exorbitant construction costs. It ceased to exist in the 14th century. Angkor Wat gradually fell into disrepair, but was not completely abandoned, as monks always lived here.

Two centuries later sacred place visited by the first Europeans. They were the Portuguese. First, the merchant Diogo do Couto published his travel notes. And after 36 years, the monk António da Madalena, having visited the ruins of the temple, described it in excellent colors.

But truly Europeans became interested in the shrine in 1860. This time the French did their bit in drawing attention to the shrine:

Preacher Charles-Emile Buyevo, who published a two-volume book of his impressions from visiting this place.
Naturalist and traveler Henri Muo, who popularized the great Khmer temple among Westerners.
Henri Ernest Jean Parmentier, archaeologist and later director of the French Institute of the Far East, who studied, documented and participated in the restoration of the monuments of Angkor.

The Paris Colonial Exhibition, which was held in 1931, exhibited a model of the sanctuary of Angkor Wat.

Model of Angkor Wat at the Royal Palace, Cambodia

There were also barbaric antics. In the 70s, part of the buildings and sculptural images were damaged by the Pol Potites. Well, now, protected by the world community, the temple is the number one attraction in the Cambodian kingdom, and any travel agency will tell you how to get here.

Those who have already been here share their experience with tourists:

The entrance ticket can be bought for a day, three days or a week. It must be kept, as controllers periodically check tickets. With a ticket, you can leave the complex any number of times during the paid time and enter again. It is personalized: your photo will be taken at the checkout, and it will be on the ticket.
Forgery of a ticket is punishable by law, as well as looting and damage to the property of Angkor.
At 5 o'clock in the morning it is customary to meet the dawn here, and the complex closes at 17:30.
Dress appropriately, covering your shoulders and knees. A headdress will save you from sunstroke. And shoes, despite the heat, are recommended to choose comfortable ones, such as sneakers, since the stairs with stone steps are very steep.
Well, and absolutely obvious truths: you should not litter, smoke, touch images with your hands. It is necessary to respect and follow the instructions of signs and signs on the territory.

Before visiting the temple, of course, it’s nice to be savvy in theoretical terms. Therefore, we turn to the description of its architecture.

architectural features

The Angkorian style in which this shrine is built combines features of both Khmer and Hindu architecture. This is a temple-mountain, personifying, in combination with many galleries. The building consists of three rectangular terraces that make up the pyramid.

The inner rectangular courtyard occupies two hundred hectares. It is surrounded by a wall four and a half meters high. FROM outside walls for more than three and a half kilometers stretches a moat filled with water.

At its edges, the land is cleared of the jungle to a width of thirty meters. The width of the moat is one hundred and ninety meters, and it is believed that it was he who saved the temple from destruction and from the invasion of wild animals from the jungle during the years of oblivion.

Towers of Angkor Wat

The unique beauty of the monastery is given by five towers. Each of them is shaped like a lotus flower. The tower in the center rises sixty-five meters into the sky. It is higher than the other four by forty-two meters.

Khmer believers did not go to temples: their gods lived here. Only representatives of the clergy and rulers could go inside. Agkor Wat also served as the tomb of Suryavarman II.

The entrance to the temple is through the western gopura (the tower above the gate), which is considered the main one. It consists of three dilapidated turrets, behind which at first the giant main building is not visible, and is its likeness in form. Leaving the gopura, the traveler passes to the temple along the road, on both sides of which there is a parapet with statues of snakes with seven heads.

The road is laid on a dam made of sandstone. Probably, the dam was previously replaced by a wooden bridge. An earth embankment leads to the shrine from the east side. There are gopuras from all four cardinal directions, but the other three are smaller than the western one.

Statue of Vishnu in South Tower, Angkor Wat, Cambodia

There is a statue of Vishnu in the south tower. It is assumed that he appeared in it later, and initially his place was in the central hall. Four gopuras on each of the three tiers are connected by galleries, decorated with square columns along the outer wall.

The galleries are so spacious that, if desired, an elephant could pass through them. Because of this, another name for gopura is “elephant gate”. The ceiling of the galleries is decorated with stone lotus flowers. And the walls have the richest decoration, more than a thousand square meters. What is it:

bas-reliefs with scenes from the history of the Khmers, the ancient Indian epic and Hindu myths;
figurines of two thousand charming demigoddesses - apsaras with intricate and sophisticated hairstyles;

Bas-reliefs on the walls of the temple - Apsaras

griffins;
sculptures of dancing people;
dragons with wings harnessed to chariots;
figures of men dancing on the backs of running animals;
unicorns;

warriors with leaders riding on elephants;
devatas.

On the map of the complex, there were originally both city buildings and the royal palace. But all of them collapsed over time, as they were not built of stone. Only the outlines of some streets have survived to this day.

From the main road to the temple, perpendicular to it, there are six pairs of side stairs through which you can go down to the territory former city. There are two library buildings located symmetrically on both sides of the road, with ponds in front of them. These reservoirs, as well as the cross-shaped terrace into which the main road passes, appeared later than other elements of the complex.

The subtleties of the building

The stones used for the construction are so smooth that they seem to be polished. No solution was used for their coupling. They fit so tightly to neighboring stones that the seams are not visible at all.

Sometimes there are no connections in the blocks at all, they are held by gravity. In most of the blocks, the researchers noticed multiple holes about three centimeters in length and slightly smaller in cross section. Opinions about their purpose differ: some scientists believe that they are intended for metal connecting rods, others that they are for connecting parts, with the help of which it was easier to move stones during installation.

There is evidence that elephants were used to actuate the block mechanism. The ropes were made from coir, the middle layer of the coconut wall. So the stones were lifted into place.

There are holes in the walls too. This suggests that once there were panels of bronze. It was the height of chic in antiquity, but also attracted marauders.

The figure indicating the amount of sandstone that went into the construction of this ancient monument is impressive: over five million tons. This construction material delivered from the Kulen plateau along the Siem Reap River.

According to modern ideas, a structure of such complexity should have been erected for several hundred years. Nevertheless, the construction of Angkor Wat was completed in about forty years - the lifetime of its founder. This indicates that the builders had some special knowledge and skills.

And finally, quite sensational information: scientists have established with the help of computer programs that the location of the temples of the Angkor complex exactly corresponds to the location of the stars in the constellation Draco, as it was at the time of sunrise ten and a half thousand years BC, on the day of the vernal equinox. So thismiracleSveta, which is only about a thousand years old, continues to keep its secrets.

Conclusion

Having visited the temple of Angkor Wat, even inveterate skeptics admit that the famous place has amazing energy and sinks into the soul for a long time. Many come back here again, and more than once. The tourists who have been here are unanimous in one thing: this miracle must be seen with your own eyes at least once in your life.

Temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, is the largest temple complex on our planet dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is located on the territory of the historical complex of Angkor, which is included in the UNESCO heritage. Such a legacy left us from distant ancestors: the Khmer tribes, because this building was rebuilt around 1113-1250 AD during the reign of King Suryavarman II. The construction of the temple lasted for almost 30 years, and the entire complex was rebuilt for almost 400 years.

Tourists from all over the world rush to this building, unique in its beauty and grandeur, every day to not only learn the basics of Hinduism, worship the gods, but also see the history of Cambodia and the Khmer peoples with their own eyes.

How to get there?

Before you get to Angkor Wat, you will have to fly to Cambodia. There are no direct flights from Russian cities to Cambodia, so you can only get here with transfers.

In the city of Siem Reap, in the immediate vicinity of which the ruined city of Angkor is located, there is an international airport that receives flights from China, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and some other Asian countries. The most popular flight is Siem Reap - Bangkok, but this flight will cost quite a bit. a large sum, so it’s much cheaper to get with two or three transfers through Vietnam or China, or fly to the capital of Cambodia, and then move on a public bus or taxi.

If you plan to fly to the city of Siem Reap, and then stay in a hotel in the city for a few days, then book a room in advance. Thus, you will ensure yourself a free transfer from the airport to the hotel and back.

From the capital - the city of Phnom Penh - can be reached by water. Such a trip is also a good excursion that allows you to get acquainted with the local way of life and way of life. Tickets for water transport are purchased at hotels at the reception or at travel agencies. Estimated travel time is about 6 hours.

The city of Siem Reap can be reached by bus. Moreover, communication is well organized here both within the country and with neighboring states (Thailand, Vietnam). The cheapest tickets for Cambodian flights.

If you do not want to think about how to get to the sights of Cambodia, then many travel agencies in our country have exotic excursions both to the main historical sites of Cambodia and separately to the ancient city of Angkor. You can take a two-three day tour and not worry about anything else, enjoying a trip to a distant and mysterious Asian country.

temple complex

Angkor temple complex- the main attraction of Cambodia - is not limited to Angkor Wat temple alone. On the gigantic area that it occupies, 208 hectares, there are still a large number of interesting historical buildings, because the ancient city of Angkor was a fairly large settlement, in which more than 100,000 people lived. True, residential buildings have not survived to this day, because they were built of wood. The ruined city is located about 5 kilometers from the main temple of Angkor Wat. Smaller temples, which were built from tuff and sandstone, have also been preserved there: Ta Phrom, Angkor Thom, Ta Prum, Bayon, the terrace of elephants and Preah Kan.

The territory of the complex is fenced around the perimeter with a laterite wall, with outer side where a moat 250 meters wide was dug, which can be crossed along a special sandstone paved path 250 meters long and 12 meters wide.

Excursion program options

Those who build the itinerary for an excursion around Angkor are sure to be interested in the Big and Small excursion circle. Each circle begins with an inspection of the most important temple of Angkor Wat.

The small circle is the most common, popular, considered classic route for visiting the Angkor temple complex, which is chosen by those who have only one day to see the world landmark. If you look at the tour map of Angkor Wat, then this route is marked in green.

In the case when you move around the Small Circle, you can see the following temples:

Angkor Thom (a complex of more than a dozen of the largest temples in the central part);

Phnom Bakeng;

Baxey Chamkrong.

The length of the Small Circle is about 17 kilometers.

The Big Circle is a 25-kilometer excursion program (the path is marked in red), which usually takes place on the second day. In this case, you will also start moving from Angkor Wat and completely repeat the route of the Small Circle to the Bayon Temple, and then head north to inspect the following buildings:

Pre Rup;

Neak Pean;

Preah Kan;

Eastern Mebon.

After visiting them, according to guidebooks and reviews, you will again move to the Small Circle and return to the main temple of Angkor. Moving in a big circle, you will be moving between attractions more than moving on foot.

On the third day, the most distant temples of Angkor usually remain, which are sometimes quite problematic to get to, especially if you have not rented a transport, because many of them are located at a distance of about 50-70 kilometers from the main complex. If you have three days, then it will be most convenient to move along the routes already established by tourists.

In the event that you have more time, you can independently develop daily excursion routes, change temple visits and generally do everything the way you like.

What to look out for

No matter how much you want, it is impossible not to see the main attraction of the complex - Angkor Wat. This temple-mountain rises above the rest of the buildings in the very center of the complex. You can recognize it by its five knobby towers. It is believed that all five peaks are always visible from any point. This is the most visited temple of Angkor. Tourists always crowd here in search of beautiful and unusual species for photo.

The second most popular building is the local Library. In front of the library there is a small pond where you can relax during the tour.

Ta-Pkhrom is another visited and favorite place for tourists. This is a temple-monastery, which has a rather strange layout. At present, the territory of this building is heavily overgrown, and not just with grass, but with centuries-old trees with powerful branched trunks. Ta-Pkhrom has been trying to clear the vegetation and make it more accessible for tourists for almost a hundred years, but the jungle does not want to leave this place. Everyone who has visited Ta-Phrom leaves rave reviews about this romantic and seemingly abandoned temple.

Bas-relief galleries are considered another popular object that collects laudatory reviews. There are eight of them in the area around Angkor Wat (two on each side) and the Hall of a Thousand Buddhas that stands out separately. Each gallery is distinguished from the others by impressive floor-to-ceiling bas-reliefs that are never repeated. In the Hall of the Thousand Buddhas, as it is already becoming clear, there are bas-reliefs, statues and images of the Buddha in various options and all kinds of sizes.

The most interesting bas-reliefs, attracting the attention of thousands of tourists and constantly gathering crowds of people around them, refer to the mystical and mysterious themes of hell and paradise on earth: Churning of the Milky Ocean, Gallery of Hell and Paradise, Battle of the Gods, etc.

What is the price?

Since a visit to the complex of temples is most often planned for several days, there are several types of entrance tickets here. So, you can buy a ticket for a day trip for $20.

Those wishing to stay longer on the territory of Angkor purchase a ticket for a three-day tour for $40. The ticket is valid for a week, so you can enter the territory of the temple complex not for three days in a row, but to split the visit according to a convenient schedule.

You can also buy a weekly visit to the complex for $70 (ticket is valid for a month).

Schedule

Angkor is open to visitors daily from 05.00 to 18.00. If you want to see the sunrise, you must be inside before 05.30 hours, if the sunset - before 17.30 hours. Tickets stop selling one hour before the official closing time. If you enter the territory of the complex, then no one will kick you out and you can walk here longer. True, too long a stay on the territory of the complex may result in a remark from the police or even a fine for violating the order.

If you have such an opportunity, then visit Angkor Wat twice: once at dawn and the other at sunset. It is in the dawn and sunset rays that you will receive the greatest aesthetic satisfaction from what you see. Of course, you can come here at any time, but this way you cannot say that you have seen everything that Angkor Wat has to offer us.

The temple complex is very large, so when planning an excursion in this direction, set aside at least one day for it.

Since the temple complex is currently considered inactive, there are no strict rules regarding the dress code, but inappropriate clothing (short skirts / shorts, bare shoulders / knees) will still not let you into the main temple.

Many monkeys live on the territory of the complex, so you should be extremely careful, because primates steal everything that is bad, especially hats, food, cameras and mobile phones.
When you go on a tour, be sure to take enough drinking water, since the weather in Cambodia is always hot, so everything around is hot and constantly thirsty, especially at noon. Also take something to eat if you don't want to spend time looking for a place to eat, which are not many here.

If time permits, then inspect Angkor out of order, but, starting with smaller temples, only at the very end get to the main temple of the complex - Angkor Wat.

Do not fall for the tricks of beggars at the entrance if you do not want to lose a lot of money. By submitting a dollar to one, you will activate a chain reaction and local children will come running to you from all over. It's better to say "no" right away. If you start serving, and then stop abruptly and someone is left deprived, this will cause aggression.

Try not to visit Angkor during festivals. If you believe the reviews, these days there are too many people here, including local Khmers, who come here absolutely free.

Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia

The Angkor temple complex is National Treasure of Cambodia, the pride of the country and its main attraction.

Outstanding architectural monuments were built during the heyday of the Khmer civilization more than 9 centuries ago. The center of the complex is the temple angkor wat, which is depicted on the national flag and coat of arms of Cambodia.

Useful information and how to get to Anggor Wat

Angkor Wat is located 5 km, which, in principle, is not so far even for a walk. However, all the numerous temples of the complex are scattered over a vast territory, so it will be reasonable to move between them only by transport. There are several options, How to get to Angkor Wat:

Rent a bike and move between temples on it. Suitable for hardy people, since the distances are quite large, and the heat in Cambodia is unbearable. The cost of renting for the whole day is 4-6 $
Take a tuk-tuk- the most popular option for tourists. It is very easy to do this, in Siem Reap with an offer of a trip to Angkor, literally every second Cambodian will approach you. The cost of a tuk-tuk for the whole day is 10-20 $ depending on the route and your ability to negotiate :)
Take a taxi. To be honest, we did not find out the prices (the option with a car was not considered at all), so I can only assume that the price will be at least $ 30 per day.

But before deciding the issue of transport, decide on route through the temple complex. For the convenience of tourists, two multi-kilometer routes are offered:

Small circle: it includes the most popular temples: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm.
Big circle: this included temples located at a remote distance from Angkor Wat.

The routes are shown more clearly on the map:

As a rule, a small circle is chosen by those who came to the temple complex for one day and want to have time to see its main attractions in a short time. If you are planning to give Angkor more days, then you will have enough time for the route in a large circle. We shone the Cambodian complex for only one day, so we chose a small circle. Renting a tuk tuk cost us at $12 for the whole day.

The cost of visiting the Angkor temple complex:

$20 - one day ticket;
$40 - ticket for 3 days, valid for a week;
$60 - ticket for 7 days, valid for a month.

Working hours: from 5.00 to 18.00 daily.

Well, now I will dwell in more detail on those temples that we managed to visit. Photos, of course do not convey the scale and grandeur of the complex, but if you are reading this, then most likely you have plans to visit Angkor in Cambodia. Therefore, you can see it with your own eyes.

Angkor Temple Complex Small Circle Route

angkor wat

Giant Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the most recognizable landmark of Cambodia. It consists of five towers, symbolizing the peaks of the sacred Mount Meru. The height of the central tower reaches 65 meters. Along the perimeter, the temple is surrounded by a huge moat with water, more than 5.5 km long. Angkor Wat means "temple city" in Khmer.

A large number of tourists gather near Angkor Wat at dawn: in the rays of the rising sun, it looks really impressive. Despite its centuries-old history, the temple stood abandoned for several centuries after the decline of the Khmer civilization. Fortunately, during the bloody regime of Paul Pott, the Angkor temple complex was preserved.

Ta-Prom

Probably the biggest impression on me was the temple of Ta-Prom. This place is a clear symbol, as nature is merciless even with the cult creations of man:

The Buddhist monastery of Ta-Prom was built in 1186 by the Khmer king Jayavarman VII. In those distant times, the temple was a whole city, over 12 thousand people lived on its territory. Ta-Prom was considered one of the richest monasteries, 3,140 villages with a population of almost 80 thousand people were subordinate to him. Only history remains of its former glory.

After the decline of the Khmer civilization, the monastery was abandoned and only discovered in the 19th century. The walls, surrounded by the jungle, were swallowed up by nature. The powerful roots of the star anise have firmly grown into the ancient buildings of Angkor, creating a unique aura of the place. That is why they decided to shoot the famous film “Lara Croft. Tomb Raider”, which only added to the popularity of the Cambodian attraction.

angkor thom

Angkor Thom is translated as "big city" and this name is quite justified. During the heyday of the Khmer civilization, it was the capital of the kingdom. All the houses on its territory were built of wood, so, unfortunately, they did not survive to our time. The city had the shape of a square, divided into 4 equal parts by axial roads. Its territory was surrounded by a bulk wall and a moat with water.

In the center of the city was the main pearl of the place, which has survived to this day - the Bayon temple. Thanks to him, Angkor Thom is so popular among tourists. Its highlights are towers with many stone faces, silently looking from a height around. The sight is impressive, I'll tell you :) The temple was built in the Buddhist style, but historians also capture the features of Hinduism.

We also visited temples and Banteay Kdey, but there was nothing particularly outstanding in them (especially in comparison with the above architectural creations), so with your permission I will not dwell on them.

1. Get ready for crowds of people throughout the complex. I have only seen such a concentration of tourists

2. If you're okay with waking up early, be sure to visit Angkor Wat at sunrise. Judging by the pictures, this is a very picturesque sight. I categorically do not accept getting up in the morning hours, so we successfully missed the sunrise :)

3. I was not allowed inside Angkor Wat because of my open shoulders. Do not repeat my mistakes, otherwise you will miss this fantastic view from above:

4. Be sure to bring water and hat. Most of the time you will be in the open air, so the fry will be strong.

5. If you plan to visit Angkor in one day, then choose a small circle. Impressions will be enough with your head, and in time it will take almost a whole day.

6. Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes! In the same Ta-Keo I mentioned, there was simply suicidal climb up a very steep stone staircase. It was very scary to go down and up, and if you add slippery shoes ...

And this is the top view. The descent is very steep. Well, not in the sense of cool, but in the sense of very sharp))

7. There is a small chance to reduce meetings with crowds of tourists if you go to see the sights of a small or large circle not clockwise, but counterclock-wise. We didn't do that, but I guess it makes sense.

8. Beware of monkeys, of which there are a lot ( jungle everywhere). And you know, they like to "shoot" glasses and other shiny things. Although, as for me, these are just the cutest creatures:

9. According to my estimates, the minimum time to visit a small circle is about 5 hours along with the road. It took us a little more than 8 hours, but we examined everything thoroughly and took a lot of pictures. Most of the time is best left for Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm.

10. By the end of the day, this old thing was already flickering in my eyes, so it’s a mystery to me what is the pleasure of walking around Angkor for 2-3 days. One day was enough.

However, the Angkor temple complex - this is one of the few places that I can recommend to everyone. These ancient structures really make a tremendous impression. You know, sometimes you want to call some sights hyped or pop. So, these definitions cannot be attributed to Angkor Wat. This is a national treasure of Cambodia, part of its rich history.

Are you very hard to surprise? You have visited all corners of the planet and think that you have seen everything? Then I propose to dispel your skepticism with the next tour, which includes a visit to one of the most striking monuments ancient religion Khmer. Today we are going to distant Southeast Asia, in the jungle of which no less secrets and artifacts are hidden than in South America with its famous Maya and Inca settlements. Final goal of our tourist trip is the majestic temple of Angkor Wat, whose history goes back about 900 years.

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According to official sources, the construction of the temple began in the 12th century. It is believed that Angkor Wat was part of the once huge Khmer Empire, around which even today there is a lot of controversy.

Angkor is the name of the city, which was considered the center of the empire. Its size is amazing. Initially, it was believed that the city occupied an area of 200 square kilometers, and now this figure has grown tenfold. Scientists say that at the very dawn of the empire, at least 500 thousand Khmers lived here. The temple complex itself was dedicated to the god Vishnu and was considered the most prominent representative of the Hindu religion. It is the architecture of the buildings that reminds of the religion that has been preached in this area for many centuries.

The construction was completed during the reign of King Suryavarman II. It was during this period that Ankor experienced the peak of its development, was a metropolis and had a population of several hundred inhabitants. In total, huge areas with villages and other settlements, in which at least 80 thousand peasants lived, were assigned to the temple. A little later, Ankor Wat became not only the center for the worship of Vishnu, but also the Buddha.

Already in those distant years, the temple struck the imagination with its majesty. Huge ditches (about 200 m) filled with water were dug around its entire perimeter. The height of the main tower of the temple is a record 42 meters for that time, and the most high point located 65 meters above the ground.

All the most interesting information and an overview of the most stunning sights of Cambodia in our guide.

Location of the religious center

A unique building of its kind, which impresses with its ingenious architecture, size and rich decoration, is located just 5 km north of the city of Siem Reap. It is interesting that almost no one remembered such a structure for several centuries in a row, starting from the 15th century. This led to the fact that the temple fell into some decline. The jungle reliably hid the grandiose structure from prying eyes, and the huge roots of tropical trees caused irreparable damage to the religious complex, which for many years successfully combined the center of two religions - Hinduism and Buddhism.

It is worth paying tribute to the local activists and authorities, who caught on in time and began to ennoble the territory of the majestic temple. And today we all have a unique opportunity to enjoy the monumental structure to the fullest, take rare pictures and mark with a red pencil one more place on the map, which is worth visiting more than once.

A program of large-scale restoration of the huge complex has been launched, the search for funds for which the world organization UNESCO is engaged in. The scale of the temple and volume necessary work require serious investment in the restoration of the temple. Since 1992, the temple complex has been included in the list of cultural heritage and is under protection. Despite this, the years cause irreparable damage to the structure, which was based on brittle sandstone. Therefore, if you want to see the grandiose building of the 12th century with your own eyes, you should not put off the issue of ordering a ticket on the back burner. Hurry up to see the temple with your own eyes and touch the ancient history with your hands!

There is a version that the famous writer Rudyard Kipling came up with the idea of writing the work “The Jungle Book” precisely after visiting this grandiose complex of buildings. Who knows, maybe a muse or inspiration will visit you to create some kind of masterpiece ...

What is unique?

As mentioned earlier, the temple has an impressive size and rich architecture, even individual elements of which cannot be called excess. In addition, the uniqueness of the building is due to the rare combination of two religions at once, which coexisted peacefully within the walls of the temple. You won't find this anywhere else.

But there is one more feature. Despite its size and importance for the Khmer Empire, the temple was not open to everyone. Only the elite - representatives of the nobility and kings - could get outside its walls to perform prayers. Here they found the last refuge of the souls of the deceased rulers, and their bodies forever occupied the designated places in the tomb. This is due to one feature of the local religion of that time. The Khmers believed that the gods lived in the temple, so only selected representatives of the spiritual and secular nobility could communicate with them and see them. Here, every detail has its own meaning and plays a certain role. Three huge towers are shaped like lotus buds, and their design is complemented by special sculptures and a unique bas-relief.

The total area of the temple complex, which has the shape of a rectangle, is almost 200 hectares! And without exception, all buildings were erected in an original way - from top to bottom. Archaeologists and scientists have not seen such technology anywhere on the planet.

It is believed that the appearance and structure of the complex was ultimately to match the legendary sacred Mount Mere. The buildings seem to repeat all its outlines: the towers are its peak, external walls- rocky ledges, and the moat at the foot is the ocean that surrounds the universe.

The Khmers spared neither effort nor jewels to create a unique temple complex. Initially, Angkor Wat was the most impressive Khmer religious center in terms of its rich content. But as a result of the civil war, the invasion of atheists, which are better known as the Khmer Rouge, and the soldiers of Pol Pot in the 1970s, most of the decorations and artifacts were looted, and irreparable damage was caused to the complex itself. It was possible to protect the temple from the invasion of vandals only in 1992, when UNESCO controlled it.

Tour of the ancient temple

Today, tourist tours of the temple complex are available to almost everyone. The main requirement is to comply simple rules stay in the temple and respect this cultural and architectural monument.

Angkor Wat will give one of the most vivid impressions to anyone who finds himself in Cambodia. Exotic adventures, history saturated with oriental culture and amazing religion - this is only a small part of what you will get to know outside its walls.

You also need to know that the complex of buildings includes several dozen temples and individual buildings, and the whole irrigation system, which is 900 years old, and today it works properly and performs its functions. special attention deserve the temple mountain, which has the name Bayon, the images of the main god Buddha, carved from stone, the Elephant Terrace and the statue of the Leper King. Of course, it is impossible to describe in words the grandiose creation of human hands. Each building is made in a special style and has its own characteristics. Let's take a closer look at some of the sights.

One of the earliest buildings of Angkora is Phnom Bakheng. It is believed that it was built in the ninth century and eventually received the appearance of a structure with five tiers and several towers. The central area of the complex is called Angkor Thom, which literally means "big city". Along the entire perimeter, it is surrounded by a water channel and walls (100 m and 8 m, respectively). The citadel includes five gates that are surrounded by high towers, the walls of which are decorated with images of deities.

Behind the walls of the citadel is the Bayon pyramid, which has already been mentioned above. It is surrounded by 54 towers. There are also such attractions as the Bafuon temple (more precisely, its ruins that have survived to this day), the palace, the sanctuaries of Baphuop and Pimeanakas (which is better known as the “Palace of Heaven”), the Elephant Terrace (from which the rulers watched the progress of all ceremonies). Here you can also enjoy the original features of the Gates of Victory and stone bridges, which are decorated with the faces of the gods.

If the buildings mentioned above, for the most part, were subjected to partial or complete restoration, then some churches retained their original appearance. For example, Ta-Prom.

How to get there and where to stay

You can get to the temple complex from Phnom Penh (240 km) or from Siem Reap (6 km). It is Siem Reap that is most popular among tourists, since recently it has been actively developing travel business. For the convenience of visiting Angkor Wat, which hundreds of thousands of tourists go to see every year, an international airport has been built here, and a lot of modern hotels will provide convenience for visitors without any problems. Getting to the temple complex from here is quite easy. This is what has made it so popular among tourists.

If you are going on a tourist visit to Cambodia for the first time, it is better to use the services of a guide. Even today, the territory of the country is littered with mines and other life-threatening and health-threatening reminders of the Khmer Rouge invasion. Therefore, it is easiest to get safely to the temple and get the impressions that you came here for as part of a tourist group led by an experienced guide.

I saw an excellent aerial panorama of the world-famous Cambodian temple, was impressed, and decided to tell you more. But for starters, be sure to fly over this ancient structure anyway. Soak up the spirit of an ancient civilization. The huge temple with pointed towers is a miracle of symmetry. Symbolizes the sacred mountain from Indian mythology. Around the temple are moats, which symbolize the oceans washing the foot of the divine mountain. Angkor Wat is the largest temple complex in the world. It is interesting for its galleries, towers, pavilions and gates, richly decorated with stone carvings, but all of them are inferior in grandeur to the central temple.

In 1150, the gigantic Angkor Wat complex was erected in Cambodia. Most likely, the construction took about 30 years, so we can assume that Angkor Wat began to be built somewhere in 1110. The ruins of Angkor lie about 240 km northwest of the capital of Cambodia (formerly Kampuchea) - the city of Phnom Penh, not far from the large lake Tonle Sap. Although, in theory, the temples of Angkor Wat are the place in India, as they are a typical example of Hindu architecture.
Clickable 3000 px Angkor Wat is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and serves as both a sanctuary and a tomb for Suryavarman himself. Angkor Wat for the Khmers, who ruled from the 9th to the 15th century in Cambodia, is something like a heavenly palace in which the spirit of kings can reside. In front of the temple is a moat 200 meters wide. During the rainy season, which in Cambodia can last up to 4 months, the moat is filled with water. In addition, several more lakes have been dug within the city. The only way to get inside is through the main portal in the wall that surrounds Angkor Wat in a 260 square kilometer area.
The temple itself is built from several platforms, following one after another. The first platform (180 by 180 meters) is 3.5 meters high, the second platform (110 by 115 meters) rises by 7 meters, and the third (75 by 75 meters) is 13 meters above the ground. All three terraces are surrounded by galleries with gable roofs. The towers are interconnected by absolutely symmetrical galleries. All buildings are symmetrically located. This is strange, because in ancient times the Khmers were not familiar with the laws of balance. All buildings in Angkor Wat are distinguished by the severity of lines and clarity. Lush jewelry does not match this. Each stone of the temple is covered with carvings or bas-reliefs. What is only the gallery of the first platform 600 meters long. There are 8 panels with a total area of more than 1000 square meters. Most of all, scenes from the life of the gods are depicted. Lots of erotic motives. The most popular figure found here is the dancing goddess Apsara. In the center of the complex on the Bayon temple is depicted the face of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, one of the main characters of Buddhist mythology. In addition to the images of the gods in the temples, there are historical paintings. For example, those that depict local rulers, warriors going to battle.
There are 5 main shrines in the temple. The first is located in a 60-meter tower, which can only be entered through gates, stairs and open courtyards. Around this tower are four more, where the remaining shrines are kept. There are more than 200 small temples in Angkor Wat.
Tourists usually start their journey through Angkor Wat from the western entrance. Climbing up a short flight of stairs to the first cross-shaped terrace guarded by giant stone lions, one comes to a long sidewalk leading to the center of your journey. The gaze falls on the gopura (gopura - entrance, entrance in Hindu terminology) with three towers, the upper part of which is dilapidated. The shape of this gopura is so developed and elongated that it almost looks like a separate building. A long closed gallery, through which one has to pass, extends along the moat in both directions. This is the main facade of Angkor Wat. In the middle there is a passage narrow enough for the main entrance, and along the edges of the gallery you can go through huge arches located at ground level. Arches used to serve as passageways for elephants, horses and carts.
From the central entrance, the guides lead tourists to the right and lead them to the end of the gallery, paying attention to the windows with chiseled columns and skillfully carved bas-reliefs on the walls. At the end of the gallery you can see all five towers of Angkor.
In the courtyard, on the left and right, there are two small buildings - these are libraries. They, like all the buildings of Angkor Wat, have the shape of a cross. Behind the libraries there are two swimming pools (65×50 meters). The left one is always filled with rainwater, while the right one is usually dry. Standing in front of the left pool, you can clearly see the 10 towers of Angkor (five of them are reflected in the water).
Between the first and second levels of the complex there are cross-shaped passage galleries with square columns dividing the courtyard into four parts. Some columns are decorated with Khmer and Sanskrit inscriptions. All the rest of the free space is given over to elegant rosettes, cornices and bas-reliefs. In fact, there is no place that the carver's hand would not touch. Further up the stairs you can get to the gallery of the second level (100 × 115 meters). Her main feature is an image of more than 1500 sculptures of beautiful goddesses.
The next third, and last, level was allowed to visit only the king and the monks. Twelve stairs with 40 steps each - one in the center of each side and 2 at the corners - rise at a 70 degree angle to the most important level. The steps are very narrow, so you need to go up sideways, and go down with your back, that is, facing the steps.
Angkor Wat could not reach us. There were too many who wanted to destroy it, even after Angkor Wat was opened. Today, traces of shooting are visible on the walls of the temple. According to the political beliefs of the Khmer Rouge, the country needed to be freed from religious dependence, so numerous figures of the gods were beheaded. Now, after two decades, restoration work begins. Oddly enough, but this powerful complex was learned relatively recently - about 100 years ago. Lost in the Cambodian jungle near Lake Tonle Sap, the French traveler Charles Emile Buivo wandered for a long time among dense thickets, giant trees, frightened by predators and tortured by clouds of mosquitoes, but suddenly stumbled upon an ancient city. Prior to this, the existence of this complex was not even suspected. This is how Angkor Wat (“Capital Pagoda”) was “extracted from oblivion” - the pearl of the craftsmanship of the ancient Khmers, the world's largest religious building, erected in the middle of the 12th century, during the reign of King Suryavarman II.

The history of the Angkor period dates back to 800 BC, when the Khmer king Jayavaman II declared the independence of Kampuchea (Cambodia) from Java and founded the capital of the new state - the city of Hariharalaya, located in the north of Lake Tonle Sap. From that moment on, Jayavaman II was active in seizing the territories of neighboring states, and by 802 BC Kampuchea owns lands that now belong to China and Vietnam. In the same year 802, he declares himself a full-fledged ruler and creates a cult of worship of the god Shiva.

In 889, Yasovarman I ascends the throne and decides to start building a new capital - Yasodharmapura, which in Sanskrit means "holy city". Keeping the tradition, he also, like his predecessors, builds a huge reservoir. The construction of reservoirs was associated not only with the life and needs of the city, but also with the observance of the tradition, the roots of which go back to the myth of the sacred Mount Meru, surrounded by a great ocean. Mount Meru in religious construction was symbolized by a temple surrounded by water, and the lingam *, located inside the temple, symbolized the ruler, who was the viceroy of God on earth. Yasovarman I built his temple on the hill of Phnom Bokeng and surrounded it with a moat, which was filled with water from the reservoir he created. During his reign, Yasovarman I built many temples and carried out no less reforms.

Over the next 300 years, the great rulers of the Khmer Empire built many temple complexes, which, after many centuries, brought to us the story of the life of a great civilization. The last temple was erected during the reign of Jayavaman VII. After his death, centuries-old construction stopped.

It is known that already by the year 1000, during the period of its highest prosperity, the city occupied an area of 190 sq. km, which meant that it was the largest city in the medieval world. The city of Angkor was the size of present-day Manhattan. On the vast expanse of its streets, squares, terraces and temples, 600,000 people lived, and in the vicinity of the city - at least a million more. The inhabitants of Angkor were the Khmers, who professed Hinduism, brought to Southeast Asia in the 1st century AD. e. The earliest references to Angkor in Cambodian chronicles date only to the 15th century. Unfortunately, there are no documents left from the most ancient people. They used a very fragile material as a record material that did not stand up to time. But big historical meaning have inscriptions carved in stone, there are more than a thousand of them, most of them are made in Khmer and Sanskrit. It is not known how the complex was built - not a single source has been preserved, except for a legend that speaks of the divine origin of the city. According to this legend, Prince Preah Ket Mealea was a guest in heaven with the god Indra. He lived there in a beautiful palace. However, the heavenly dancers did not like the prince, and they begged God to return him to earth. In order not to offend Preah Ket Mealea, Indra ordered the heavenly architect Preah Pushnuk to build a palace-temple on earth exactly the same as the one in which the prince was visiting. So, according to legend, Angkor Wat was born.

It is absolutely certain that Angkor Wat was a thriving city. A completely incomprehensible reason - why did it turn into an abandoned city, where did all its inhabitants go? After all, the fertile soil gave three crops of rice a year, the Tonle Sap lake abounded with fish, and the dense forests - with various game. There are currently two main theories. According to the first, in 1171 the city was defeated by the Chams - the neighbors of the Khmers. And in 1431, the Thais finally finished off the already weakened people. But, then it is completely incomprehensible why the invaders did not occupy the reclaimed lands ...

There is a second theory, which is denied by the scientific world, as it is completely fantastic. It relies on a Buddhist legend: the emperor was so offended by the son of one of the priests that he ordered the boy to be drowned in the waters of Lake Tonle Sap. In response, the angry god brought the lake out of its banks and crushed Angkor along with all its inhabitants.

Angkor Wat is perhaps the largest religious building ever erected by man. It is much larger than any Muslim mosque, European cathedral, any pagoda or pyramid. However, despite all the historical and cultural value, the complex is threatened by a serious problem. Unfortunately, they do not want to take seriously the reconstruction of Angkor Wat, as it requires very high costs. But this historical monument of ancient culture is in a very deplorable state. The war that has been waged here for the past two decades, as well as the looting of temples by thieves, had very detrimental consequences for the monuments. But, in addition, the inexorably advancing jungle vegetation destroys the Angkor complexes, its stone buildings are covered with mosses and lichens.

Today, the Angkor temple complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Interesting fact: all the temples of Angkor were built without the use of cement and any other binding materials. During the construction of temples, blocks of sandstone were most often used, which were interlocked according to the principle of a castle, and the fortress walls were laid out from tuff.

Angkor Wat is surrounded by a 190 m wide moat. In the old days, crocodiles were bred in it. On the western side of the moat, a stone dam crosses, which is the entrance to the territory of the temple. The territory of Angkor Wat is walled with a length of 1025 m by 800 m. A long and wide road leads from the gate to the temple, laid along an embankment that rises almost one and a half meters above the ground.

Angkor Wat has survived much better than many other buildings of the Angkor complex, which is explained by the fact that after the last settlements left these places, Buddhist monks lived in Angkor Wat. They live here and now.

The complex was discovered on January 22, 1861 by the French traveler Henri Muo. In the 1970s, some of the buildings and sculptures of the complex were vandalized by Pol Pot's soldiers. In 1922, along with other buildings, the city of Angkor was taken under the auspices of UNESCO.

Bike - a good idea to visit the temples. Of course, only if you intend to stay in Siem Reap for more than a day.

Most of the local population prefer this type of transport when they visit Angkor, which means you have the opportunity to be closer to the local population, which entails not only joy and pleasure, but more low prices for food and drinks on the territory of the temple complexes.

White Bicycles is a fairly large local bike rental company. They are supported by many hotels and guest houses, because the main percentage of their income goes to charity, in support of educational programs for children from low-income families.

Taxis are a fairly common option for traveling around temples. It is convenient for those who want to "touch" the treasures of Angkor, but prefer such trips in an air-conditioned car cabin. Negative side such walks can probably be that you find yourself isolated from sounds, smells and many other delights.

The cost of one day taxi rental ranges from $25 to $35. Basically, the price depends on what time you plan to start walking around the temple complexes. If you prefer to meet the sunrise on one of the wonderful terraces of Angkor Wat, then the cost of renting a taxi will be higher.

Renting mopeds by foreigners in Siem Reap is prohibited by law. However, some manage to bring a moped from Phnom Penh. If you have found a way to rent a moped, then we strongly recommend that you leave it in paid parking lots, because. there is a huge possibility of theft or theft.

For those who want to get a bird's eye view of Angkor Wat, the Angkor Balloon company can offer you a trip in a basket hot air balloon. The route is fixed and there is no possibility to change course, the flight altitude is about 200 meters above the ground. The cost of pleasure is $ 11 per person (up to 30 people are placed in the basket). Unfortunately, this type of travel is not always available due to weather conditions.

Elephant travel was at its peak in the early 20th century. It was on elephants that the first routes through the temples of Angkor were laid. Now, of course, everything is more civilized and put on the track of organized tourism. You can ride an elephant from Angkor Thom gate to Bayon Temple. The cost of such a trip will cost you about $ 10. But in a place called Angkor Village, you can not only book an elephant ride, but even get a real lesson from professional drovers. They will teach you how to sit on the elephant confidently and you will learn some commands to control the elephant. The cost of such a course is approximately $50. Popular with group travelers. The cost of renting a minibus with a driver (for 12 people) is approximately $50 per day.

Perhaps the most popular transport for moving around the Angkor complex. Rickshaw cabs are quite comfortable and an important bonus is that they can protect you from the rain. If you are lucky with a driver, he can be a good guide, and also, knowing the temporary flows of tourists on the main routes in the complexes, he can help you avoid the crowd of people taking pictures and screaming. The cost of renting a motor rickshaw ranges from $10 to $20 per day.

As we said earlier, walking is not the most convenient way to travel, and for good reason. Firstly, Angkor Thom is located 8 km from Siem Reap. Secondly, many picturesque temples are located at a distance of 15-10 km from Angkor Thom. It is also important to take into account the fact that after 11 am the sun is at its zenith and long walks can be a very serious burden on the body. However, if the facts described above did not scare you away, you decided to walk on foot, then discover the road that lies behind the wall of Angkor Thom. This route will not only reveal little-known temples hidden in thickets of tropical trees, but will also give you the opportunity to enjoy the singing of birds and the music of the jungle.

By the way, literally in August 2014