Angkor Wat and Siem Reap

Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009

Angkor means 'Capital City' or 'Holy City'. 'Khmer' refers to the dominant ethnic group in modern and ancient Cambodia. Angkor refers to the capital city of the Khmer Empire that existed in the area of Cambodia between the 9th and 12th centuries CE, as well as to the empire itself. The temple ruins in the area of Siem Reap are the remnants of the Angkorian capitals. They represent the pinnacle of the ancient Khmer art, architecture, and civilization. At its greatest height, The Age of Angkor was a time when the capital area contained more than a million people. During this time Khmer kings constructed vast waterworks and grand temples, and Angkor's military, economic and cultural dominance had control over the area of modern Cambodia, and much of Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

Stretched along the Siem Reap River, the small provincial capital of Siem Reap Town serves as the gateway to the temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. The Angkor Archaeological Park consists of dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srey and the legendary Angkor Wat.  Their archaeological significance and artistically visual impact put it in a class with the Pyramids, Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal. Also, it has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Unlike many other world class monuments, the ruins of Angkor are unspoiled by over development, and unfortunately this will not be true in a couple of years. Though the major temples are relatively visited by tourists these days, it is still a possibility to avoid the crowds in order to explore the area and discover Angkor. 

Siem Reap Town is where it is recommended to stay during your visit to Angkor. The area has continued to receive foreign visitors to the temples for over 100 years now. The town is made up of old villages, which were originally developed around individual pagodas and later overlaid with a French colonial-era center. When walking through the village it's rather evident how there is colonial and Chinese style architecture in the town center and around the Old Market. Today, Siem Reap offers a wide range of several upscale hotels and budget guesthouses, restaurants, shops and pubs. You can also experience traditional Cambodia by watching the 'Apsara' dance performances, stopping by craft shops and silk farms, taking road tours through the rice-paddy countryside, and boat trips on the great Tonle Sap Lake to fishing villages and bird sanctuary, plus much more!

The weather is best in December and January, but even during these months it can be hot and humid.  May through October is rainy season. It is suggested to travel in a group so that you are assured good accomodations. A popular itinerary is to combine a visit to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Siem Reap and Angkor in a one week trip