Angkor Wat is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. It is thousands of years old, on the Cambodian flag, on the currency, and a wonder of the world. It is stunning. It is also crowded and not quite as magnificent as imagined. Luckily, there is the rest of the Angkor National Park to explore.
There are three types of passes available: 1 day, 3 day and 1 week. I took the 3 day and it was the perfect amount. I was able to space out the days at the temples over a week. The best way to visit the temples is by hiring a tuk tuk. The distances between the temples can be big (one is more than 35kms away), so walking is not really an option.
After Angkor War, the second most famous temple is Bayon. Nearly every surface is covered with the face of the king who built the complex. It is a fairly large complex. With various paths twisting and turning up and down stairs, with that same smiling king's face ever-present. I will admit that Bayon was my favourite temple. Ta Prohm would be the third most recognizable. The main reason for its fame: Lara Croft. In the first movie, she wanders around temples covered in trees. That is Ta Prohm. It is visually stunning, and it is interesting to see a place where they've let nature run it's course.
Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm are the most famous of the temples. They can easily be seen in one day (really only 5-6 hours) but in my opinion, that is doing the rest of the temples a great disservice. There are dozens or other temples. Each different and beautiful in its own way. There is Banteay Srey, which is a completely different style from the others. Then there is Kbal Spean. A waterfall and 1.5km hike where the carved riverbed gives a different perception of the same figures on every other temple. The Roluos Group is in a different direction from town, with three temples spaced out over a few kilometres.
If you are interested in an entirely different part of Cambodia's history, be sure to stop at the Landmine Museum. It is a combination of museum and non-governmental organization that informs tourists about the harms of landmines. Landmines were a weapon used by the Khmer Rouge up until the late 1990s to harm and control the population of Cambodia. The founder dismantled landmines for many years, and his love of his country inspired him to help victims of landmines, in addition to preventing further injuries and deaths. It is an excellent stop that breaks up the temple circuit and providing a different take on the history of the area.
Angkor is a must-see on many people's lists. It is a beautiful complex that requires more than one day to really see.
To read more of Heather's travel columns visit http://www.gingernomads.com.
