1. Travel
  2. 2011 Indochina

Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Cambodia

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  • For larger version of this map, see http://www.angkor360.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/siem-reap-map.jpg.

The moats around Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom can be seen in blue.  We entered Angkor Thom through the Victory Gate and left through the South Gate.

    For larger version of this map, see http://www.angkor360.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/siem-reap-map.jpg. The moats around Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom can be seen in blue. We entered Angkor Thom through the Victory Gate and left through the South Gate.

  • The moats around Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom can be seen in blue. We entered Angkor Thom through the Victory Gate and left through the South Gate.

    The moats around Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom can be seen in blue. We entered Angkor Thom through the Victory Gate and left through the South Gate.

  • Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors. Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture, with key features such as the Jagati. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs and for the numerous devatas (guardian spirits) adorning its walls.
The modern name, Angkor Wat, means "City Temple"; Angkor is a vernacular form of the word nokor which comes from the Sanskrit word नगर nagara meaning capital or city. Wat is the Khmer word for temple. Prior to this time the temple was known as Preah Pisnulok, after the posthumous title of its founder, Suryavarman II.

    Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors. Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture, with key features such as the Jagati. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs and for the numerous devatas (guardian spirits) adorning its walls. The modern name, Angkor Wat, means "City Temple"; Angkor is a vernacular form of the word nokor which comes from the Sanskrit word नगर nagara meaning capital or city. Wat is the Khmer word for temple. Prior to this time the temple was known as Preah Pisnulok, after the posthumous title of its founder, Suryavarman II.

  • Angkor Wat from outermost wall, looking across moat to next inner wall.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat for more information on history, layout, etc.

This temple is 1,5 km² x 1,3km and built by Suryavarman ІІ and is considered the biggest Asian pyramid. It is 65m high and divided in several layers. The central part has on the four corners four towers in the shape of a lotus flower. This temple is the largest and most breathtaking temple of the whole complex. The most famous decorations of Angkor are the heavenly nymphs (Apsara), there are more of 300, each one is unique and in total we can group them in 30 different styles. The central temple complex is an 800 meters long bas-reliefs, includes the Battle of Kurukshetra, the Army of Suryavarman II, Heaven and Hell, Churning of the Ocean of Milk, Elephant Gate, Vishnu Conquers the Demons, Khrisna and the demon King, Battle of the Gods and the Demons and the Battle of Lanka.  http://www.angkorwhat.net/news/angkor-wat-temples.html

    Angkor Wat from outermost wall, looking across moat to next inner wall. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat for more information on history, layout, etc. This temple is 1,5 km² x 1,3km and built by Suryavarman ІІ and is considered the biggest Asian pyramid. It is 65m high and divided in several layers. The central part has on the four corners four towers in the shape of a lotus flower. This temple is the largest and most breathtaking temple of the whole complex. The most famous decorations of Angkor are the heavenly nymphs (Apsara), there are more of 300, each one is unique and in total we can group them in 30 different styles. The central temple complex is an 800 meters long bas-reliefs, includes the Battle of Kurukshetra, the Army of Suryavarman II, Heaven and Hell, Churning of the Ocean of Milk, Elephant Gate, Vishnu Conquers the Demons, Khrisna and the demon King, Battle of the Gods and the Demons and the Battle of Lanka. http://www.angkorwhat.net/news/angkor-wat-temples.html

  • Gretchen Lengyel, Van VanDeWater, Kitty Walker, Renee Mirsky, Sherri Paul and Susan Levin at the moat at Angkor Wat.

    Gretchen Lengyel, Van VanDeWater, Kitty Walker, Renee Mirsky, Sherri Paul and Susan Levin at the moat at Angkor Wat.

  • George Denham at Angkor Wat.

    George Denham at Angkor Wat.

  • Our tour group outside Angkor Wat.

    Our tour group outside Angkor Wat.

  • A canoe-based cleaning crew clearing water plants from the moat at Angkor Wat.

    A canoe-based cleaning crew clearing water plants from the moat at Angkor Wat.

  • Angkor Wat.  The moat is inside an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long.

    Angkor Wat. The moat is inside an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long.

  • Angkor Wat.  The moat is inside an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long.

    Angkor Wat. The moat is inside an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long.

  • Angkor Wat.  A walkway across the moat from the outer wall to the next interior rectangular wall (with buildings).

    Angkor Wat. A walkway across the moat from the outer wall to the next interior rectangular wall (with buildings).

  • Angkor Wat. Interior bank of 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) moat.

    Angkor Wat. Interior bank of 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) moat.

  • Fran and Mark Aronowitz with Burt and Susan Rein at Angkor Wat.

    Fran and Mark Aronowitz with Burt and Susan Rein at Angkor Wat.

  • Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat

  • Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat

  • Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat

  • Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat

  • Untitled photo
  • Walkway across moat from outer wall to next inner wall at Angkor Wat.

    Walkway across moat from outer wall to next inner wall at Angkor Wat.

  • Our group approaching the end of the walkway across the moat to the inner wall at Angkor Wat.

    Our group approaching the end of the walkway across the moat to the inner wall at Angkor Wat.

  • First inner wall at Angkor Wat.

    First inner wall at Angkor Wat.

  • First inner wall at Angkor Wat.

    First inner wall at Angkor Wat.

  • First inner wall at Angkor Wat.

    First inner wall at Angkor Wat.

  • First inner wall at Angkor Wat.

    First inner wall at Angkor Wat.

  • First inner wall at Angkor Wat.

    First inner wall at Angkor Wat.

  • First inner wall at Angkor Wat.

    First inner wall at Angkor Wat.

  • On the inside of the first inner wall.

    On the inside of the first inner wall.

  • Bas-relief on the inside of the first inner wall at Angkor Wat.

    Bas-relief on the inside of the first inner wall at Angkor Wat.

  • Bas-relief on the inside of the first inner wall at Angkor Wat.

    Bas-relief on the inside of the first inner wall at Angkor Wat.

  • Bas-relief on the inside of the first inner wall at Angkor Wat.

    Bas-relief on the inside of the first inner wall at Angkor Wat.

  • Bas relief at Angkor Wat.

    Bas relief at Angkor Wat.

  • Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat

  • Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat

  • Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat

  • Diane Paul at Angkor Wat.

    Diane Paul at Angkor Wat.

  • Mark and Fran Aronowitz

    Mark and Fran Aronowitz

  • Susan Levin after a grueling hike through Angkor Wat in 90+ degrees, close to 100% humidity at Angkor Wat.

    Susan Levin after a grueling hike through Angkor Wat in 90+ degrees, close to 100% humidity at Angkor Wat.

  • Bruce Levin after a grueling hike through Angkor Wat in 90+ degrees, close to 100% humidity at Angkor Wat.

    Bruce Levin after a grueling hike through Angkor Wat in 90+ degrees, close to 100% humidity at Angkor Wat.

  • Susan Levin after a grueling hike through Angkor Wat in 90+ degrees, close to 100% humidity at Angkor Wat.

    Susan Levin after a grueling hike through Angkor Wat in 90+ degrees, close to 100% humidity at Angkor Wat.

  • David Minker after a grueling hike through Angkor Wat in 90+ degrees, close to 100% humidity at Angkor Wat.

    David Minker after a grueling hike through Angkor Wat in 90+ degrees, close to 100% humidity at Angkor Wat.

  • Lynn Kaston after a grueling hike through Angkor Wat in 90+ degrees, close to 100% humidity at Angkor Wat.

    Lynn Kaston after a grueling hike through Angkor Wat in 90+ degrees, close to 100% humidity at Angkor Wat.

  • A local salesgirl in Angkor Wat in 90+ degrees, close to 100% humidity at Angkor Wat.  She looks surprisingly fresh.

    A local salesgirl in Angkor Wat in 90+ degrees, close to 100% humidity at Angkor Wat. She looks surprisingly fresh.

  • Angkor Wat, at the first inner wall.

    Angkor Wat, at the first inner wall.

  • Walking out of Angkor Wat.

    Walking out of Angkor Wat.

  • Ta Prohm in Siem Reap province.  We looked for Lara Croft (Angolie Jolie) of "Tomb Raider" fame, but we missed her.

    Ta Prohm in Siem Reap province. We looked for Lara Croft (Angolie Jolie) of "Tomb Raider" fame, but we missed her.

  • Ta Prohm, Siem Reap province, Cambodia.

    Ta Prohm, Siem Reap province, Cambodia.

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