When people talk about Southeast Asia, one of the countries that is often overlooked is Cambodia. Perhaps this is one of the reasons we felt so fascinated and excited to explore this new land, but there was more. The main reason was the treasure located in northern Cambodia, in the city of Siem Reap: Angkor Wat.
Constructed in 1150 CE, Angkor Wat is the largest Buddhist-Hindu temple complex in the world, located in the ancient Khmer capital city of Angkor.
The site spans 162.6 hectares and combines the concept of a temple mountain with later additions of concentric galleries, most of which were inspired by Hindu religious beliefs.
The construction of Angkor Wat suggests a celestial significance in certain features, particularly in the temple’s east–west orientation and the lines of sight from its terraces, which align specific towers with the sunrise at the solstice.
Initially dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu, Angkor Wat was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple toward the end of the century.
Plan your Visit
Traveling to Siem Reap
- Bus
Buses are the most popular means of overland transport from Phnom Penh. The roads are in good condition, with dozens of daily buses running in both directions, taking approximately 5-7 hours. - Airplane
The small but charming airport is a great introduction to Siem Reap and Cambodia. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the magnificent Angkor temple complex from the air, as the airport is located just 3 km from the temples and 8 km from Siem Reap city center. - Taxi
Traveling from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by private taxi takes about 4.5 hours. Taxis are comfortable and reasonably priced, with a 30-minute stop halfway to stretch your legs, grab a drink, snack, or meal. If you book a private taxi, you can take breaks and photos along the way.
Ticket Options
The ticket office for the archaeological park is located 4 km away, and this is the only place where valid tickets can be purchased. Be cautious of purchasing tickets from other people or websites, as they are not accepted—only tickets bought at the official ticket office are valid.
Check it out:
https://www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh/plan/38/entrance-tickets-regulations
There are three ticket options: a single-day entrance, a 3-day entrance (the option we chose), and a 7-day entrance. We recommend at least the 3-day option, as the site is enormous and there are many temples to explore.
Traveling in Siem Reap
- Bicycles
Siem Reap is ideal for cyclists, as all the major sights are easily accessible by bike, and the terrain is nearly flat. Many hotels and guesthouses include complimentary use of bicycles in their room rate. Additionally, charitable rental organisations The White Bicycles offers bikes for hire at just $2 a day at various partner hotels. - Remork Moto (tuk tuk)
The remork-moto, commonly called a tuk-tuk, is a popular mode of transport in Siem Reap. It consists of a motorbike attached to a trailer and operates like a local bus, offering natural air-conditioning. The remork-moto became popular around 2000.. - Bus Tours
Full-day tours (up to 10 hours) of the five major temples at Angkor wat are available in private vehicles. Options range from standard Honda CRVs and Lexus cars to 15-seater mini-vans to suit different group sizes and budgets. All vehicles have air conditioning, with complimentary cold towels and iced bottled water provided.
Temples
Sunrise at Angkor Wat
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