The Temples of Angkor

Often referred to as ‘Angkor Wat’, which simple denoted the name of the largest temple in the complex, there is nothing like the temples of Angkor anywhere on this planet. It’s like the Pyramids, Pompeii, Acropolis, and Abu Simbal in one vast 100sq kilometre jungle site. At its core the 9sq Km Angkor Thom, or Great City, is contained within high square walls with huge faces carved in the spectacular gateways. Many of the fabulous sights within it are world-class attractions in their own right. The word "Angkor" is derived Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language, of "Nagara" which means "City". Angkor Wat literally means "City of Temple" and Angkor Thom "The Magnificent City".

At the centre of the great city of Angkor lies the Bayon Temple. It has 52 towers with the huge serene faces of the Bodhisattva. To the north is the great plaza adjoining 300 metre long Elephant Terrace that must have been a spectacular meeting place 800 years ago. Behind this are the ruins of the Royal Palace and the pyramid temple of Phimeanakas. The crowning glory is the huge dome of the Baphuon. This is under restoration at present and will be a spectacular sight when completed. In all there are more than 60 major temples and structures, each a monument to a period of creatively and wealth, unsurpassed in the Asian region.