Angkor Wat: A Journey Through Time and Spiritual Grandeur
When you think of Cambodia, the first thing that comes to mind is the majestic Angkor Wat. It’s no secret that the majestic temple complex is an engineering phenomenon and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Angkor Wat has beaten Pompeii in Italy to become the eighth wonder of the world, with thousands of visitors exploring the site annually.
As one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, the temple needs no introduction. Whether you are visiting for the first time or want to discover something new about Angkor Wat, we’ve got you covered.
In this guide, we walk you through the journey of Angkor Wat, from its construction to its exciting history. Plus, you will get tips on the best time to visit the temple and what to look out for during your visit.
About Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat, translated from the Khmer language, literally means ‘City Temple.’ But don’t let the generic name fool you. The enormous Buddhist temple is one of the largest religious monuments in the world, covering 400 acres and showcasing the best Khmer architecture. Before the construction of the temple, the city of Angkor was the royal centre for Khmer kings. At the moment, Angkor Wat is located six kilometres north of Siem Reap.
As one of the most sophisticated kingdoms in Southeast Asia, the dynasty undertook several construction projects between the 9th and 13th centuries, with Angkor Wat being the most notable. Curious about the history of the temple?
How Old is Angkor Wat
The Khmer King Suryavarman II built the temple complex in the first half of the 12th century, creating an architectural masterpiece that’s about four times the size of Vatican City. Since the temple was built around the years 1110 to 1150, it is almost 900 years old.
Angkor was built as a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and you can even find evidence of Hindu religion from the eight-armed Vishnu statue. As a funerary temple of King Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat was oriented to the west to conform to the Hindu burial rituals and symbolism between the setting sun and death.
All the original religious motifs at the temple were derived from Hinduism, including the five central towers of Angkor Wat. They symbolise the peaks of Mount Meru, which represent the dwelling place of the gods. According to Hindu mythology, the mountain is surrounded by an ocean, which is why the Angkor temple has an enormous moat to signify the oceans at the edge of the world.
Transition to a Buddhist Site
After the Cham people took over Angkor in 1177, the new King Jayavarman VII concluded that the Hindu gods had failed him and dedicated the temple to Buddhism. By the late 12th century, Angkor Wat had become a Buddhist temple, and Buddhist art had replaced the statues and carvings of Hindu deities.
While the Angkor Wat temple was abandoned in the 15th century, the Theravada Buddhist monks continued to maintain the temple. With the architectural brilliance and statues surrounding the temple, it became an important pilgrimage site attracting European visitors. When the French colonial regime was established in 1863, Angkor Wat was rediscovered by Henri Mouhot.
When the French ruled Cambodia in the 20th century, they restored the site for tourism purposes, but civil wars disrupted the work. While the temple sustained some damage, it was minimal and didn’t alter the structure.
Angkor Wat Today
Today, Angkor Wat plays a great role in preserving the history of Cambodia. Buddhists still use the temple, and you can find monks and nuns who worship at the site. Visiting the temple should be on your bucket list, even if you aren’t a history enthusiast. You’ll have the time of your life discovering the awe-inspiring temple, its intricate architectural design, and its enormous size.
Angkor Wat the Architectural Wonder
What makes the temple the eighth wonder of the world is the architectural design. A 15-foot high wall and wide moat protect the large temple. When it was constructed, it featured a city, temple, and emperor’s palace. Unfortunately, only the temple and the walls were built with sandstone and not wood, which makes them the only structures remaining today. Here are the special features of the temple design:
Special Features of Angkor Wat
- Western orientation
Angkor temple was originally designed to face the west to symbolise the direction of death in the Hindu religion. Since the temple existed as a tomb, its bas-reliefs were designed to be viewed in the anticlockwise direction, according to the ancient Hindu funeral rites. There could be another explanation for the western orientation. For instance, Vishnu is often associated with the west. That’s why Angkor Wat served as a temple and a mausoleum.
- Bas-reliefs
If it’s your first time visiting Angkor Wat, you’ll marvel at the imposing grandeur, but the intricate decorative details will capture your attention. You’ll be impressed by the series of bas-reliefs stretching around the outside of the central temple complex. The carvings depict stories from mythology and historical events.
- Celestial nymphs
Did you know that Angkor Wat has over 3,000 celestial nymphs (apsaras) carved into the walls? Each of the beguiling apsaras is unique and has a different hairstyle. While some of the celestial nymphs were damaged in the 1980s, in an attempt to clean the temple, they have been restored.
How was Angkor built?
The building of Angkor Wat was made possible by 300,000 workers, including architects, masons, sculptors, construction workers, and servants. While the construction site took over 30 years, the temple was never completed.
If you take a close look at the temple, you will notice it is built entirely out of stone, with decorative details and narratives added to improve the aesthetics. According to inscriptions, the sandstone blocks were quarried from the holy mountain of Phom Kulen, about 50 kilometres away. Since the sandstones had to be floated down the Siem Reap River using rafts, the logistics necessitated the 300,000 workers.
How to Explore Angkor Wat Complex
From the outside, Angkor Wat temple is beautiful and majestic, but nothing prepares you for the grand architectural design as you walk into the temple. If you want to enjoy the thrilling experience, you need to take it in bite sizes.
Your exploration starts as soon as you arrive at Angkor Wat. The rectangular outer wall has a gate on each side, with the main entrance on the western side decorated with sculptures and carvings. The first thing you encounter at the entrance is the statue of Vishnu, standing 3.25 metres tall on the right-hand tower. While the statue is made from a single block of sandstone, Vishnu’s eight arms hold various items of religious significance. You may also see locks of hair lying near the statue. These are offerings from pilgrims and young people preparing to get married.
A 190m-wide moat surrounds Angkor Wat, creating a giant rectangular structure around the majestic temple. You can access the monument through the long sandstone causeway. You’ll use the west entrance to access the steps leading to a raised sandstone terrace. The first thing you will encounter at the entrance of the monument is the giant stone lions.
If you want to watch the sunrise, visit the temple early in the morning and start with the avenue on the northern side of the majestic structure. The avenue is lined with naga balustrades, leading you to the central part of the temple. You will pass by a few libraries and two pools.
With the western entry, you can see the entry gate with three towers of different heights standing before you. While you won’t get the full view of the entire five towers, you can stop by the covered failure with square columns that form the impressive facades of the Angkor Wat temple.
From the west causeway, you can access the central complex, which has three stories. The laterite was used to make the three stories enclosing a square space used as a gallery. Initially, the Gallery of a Thousand Buddhas housed in the central complex used to host hundreds of Buddha images before the Civil War. Unfortunately, the images and art pieces were stolen or removed; you’ll only see a handful.
The three stories, which form the central temple complex, are marked by towers topped with a lotus-bud symbol. The central tower rises 55 metres above the ground, giving the temple a sublime unity.
You can also access the upper level, but it’s a bit tricky since the stairs are steep. Today, the upper level of Angkor Wat is still known as the Bakan Sanctuary and is open to a few visitors daily. You may have to queue to access the system.
How to Plan Your Trip to Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the main centrepiece of the Angkor temple complex and a must-visit for history lovers and architectural enthusiasts. Aside from admiring the splendour of the majestic temple complex, you’ll have plenty of things to do.
The Angkor Wat sunrise is one of the most iconic experiences to witness. As dawn breaks, the majestic towers are soaked in shades of orange, gold and pink, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Since the sun rises behind the temple, it creates a stunning reflection on the pools in front of the temple.
With the breathtaking view of the sun, you can expect to share your idyllic sunrise moment with crowds. If you want some quiet time, enter the temple complex through the east gate before the crack of dawn. If you are lucky, you can get some photographs and spend some time enjoying the tranquillity before other tourists arrive. Whether you want to explore the architecture or experience the sunrise at the temple, you need to plan for your trip.
Best Time to Go
Should you visit during the dry season or the wet season? If you are debating the best time to visit Angkor Wat and explore the temple, you need to check the climate of the region. For instance, Cambodia is generally warm throughout the year. However, the dry season begins from November to May, and the wet season runs from May to October.
While the best time to explore Angkor Wat to your heart’s content is during the dry season, you have to put up with the large crowds. During the dry season, the dirt roads around Angkor are manageable, and you can even cycle around the temples in the area. The peak tourist season in Angkor is December and January, when the temperatures are mild. Sometimes, the temperatures soar during spring, with April having the highest temperatures.
Wet season in Cambodia brings downpours, but the rains aren’t heavy. Besides, you will love Angkor during the rainy seasons since the canals and reservoirs are filled with water, transforming the dry area into a picturesque landscape. If you can brave the rains, then by all means, visit the Angkor Wat temple during the wet season. You will enjoy the peace and quiet as you enjoy the sunrise and sunset.
Opening Hours
Since many people enjoy watching the sunrise, Angkor Wat opens early to cater to the tourist needs. The complex opens at 5:00 am, but you will only have access to the outdoor viewing areas. The upper level, including the Bakan Sanctuary, opens at 7:30 am. Angkor Wat closes at 6:00 pm, so you may not get a chance to watch the sunset from the iconic spot.
How much time do you need to explore the Angkor Wat complex? You need at least three hours to explore the complex, but if you want to go through every nook and cranny, plan to spend half the day at Angkor Wat.
If you want to explore other temples in Angkor alongside Angkor Wat, you can see the highlights in a day. But, to be safe, you should plan a minimum of three days. You don’t want to be rushing through the most picturesque places you’ll see in Cambodia. If you want to catch the elusive sunrise view, you can plan your visiting hours by starting with Angkor Wat at 5:00 to 5:30 am and going back to Siem Reap for breakfast before starting your tour of the temple at 8:00 am.
Since you can’t catch the sunset at the temple complex, you should go to Phnom Bakheng temple, which is set on the hill. The only temple that accommodates sunrise and sunset views in Angkor is Pre Rup since it opens between 5 am and 7 pm.
Entry Costs
When you want to visit Angkor Wat, you have three ticket options. The ticket you buy covers all the temples and the Park. That means you should have a plan to explore all the temples in Angkor to make your ticket worthwhile. The tickets include:
- One day pass at $37, valid on the day of purchase only
- Three days, $62, valid for 10 days from the date of purchase
- Seven days pass at $72, valid for one month from the purchase date
If you only want to visit Angkor Wat for a day, you can get the day pass. However, if you are a serious temple buff or are spending some time in Siem Reap, the seven-day pass gives you more bang for your buck. For those getting a day pass, buy your ticket a day before your visit after 5 pm to avoid wasting time at the ticket booth when you should be exploring.
Where to Stay and How to Get Around
The budding town of Siem Reap is your gateway to Angkor. The town is about six kilometres from Angkor Wat and has become the base for exploring Angkor temples. You can get to Siem Reap by bus or plane, and when you arrive, you can easily find accommodation in the town. If you want to explore Angkor with a team, you can find tour-package options for various budgets.
You will have various transportation options to get around Angkor. If you’re travelling with your family, you can hire a minivan or private car. Remork-motos or tuk-tuks are also available for two. But, if you’d like to explore Angkor at your pace and go off the beaten path, rent a motorbike. Alternatively, go for eco-friendly options like mountain bikes or electric bicycles. There’s a cycling path that connects Siem Reap town with various temples in Angkor; you’ll have plenty of time to explore the Angkor Wat temple.
Sometimes, you want a unique view of the complex to get the true picture of what the moat surrounding the complex looks like. Luckily, you can go for tethered balloon rides to get an aerial view of the grand complex.
Conclusion
Angkor Wat is an architectural splendour that holds immense historical, spiritual and cultural significance. Whether you are looking for an exciting adventure for your next vacation or city break, head over to Siem Reap and spend the day exploring the Angor Wat complex. Don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy the sunrise over the temple or sunsets around Angkor.