Angkor Wat: everything you need to know about Asia's top attraction

Angkor Wat is probably the very first thing you think of when it comes to Cambodia: the gigantic temple complex with its famous "cone" towers, fantastic architecture, the analogs of which seem to be nowhere else on earth - all this beckons thousands of tourists to it. Therefore, if you are vacationing somewhere nearby, take a day or two to get acquainted with this miracle created by human hands.

So, what is Angkor Wat and what is it "eaten" with?

The Angkor Wat temple complex is one of the largest Hindu religious buildings, dedicated to the god Vishnu. The complex was erected in the XII century, and what tourists see today is just a part of a gigantic complex of temples that once surrounded the ancient Khmer capital of Angkor. After the Siamese army destroyed the city in 1431, its palaces and temples (including Angkor Wat) began to decline until they were rediscovered by Europeans in the 19th century.

How to get there

Today, a tourist will have to make a little effort to get to Angkor Wat. To the nearest major city to the temple - Siem Reap - you can fly by airplane (however, you will have to endure several transfers and high ticket prices). If you rest in the neighboring countries of Cambodia and decided to visit Angkor Wat, then at your service as a plane and a more budget bus. You can reach Siem Reap by air from Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Thailand, China, Singapore and South Korea (Seoul).

What to see

In order not to waste time wandering around the temple with crowds of tourists in search of corners that "everyone should see", we will tell you what sights of Angkor Wat will help you fully enjoy the beauty of the temple and productively plan your itinerary.

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• Main Entrance

The main entrance to the temple is located on the west side of the temple and is a colossal gate with a width of (for a minute) 235 meters! The rich carvings, stucco decorations and sculptures decorating the gate give the main entrance a special grandeur, so that you get the atmosphere of this place already at the entrance. Pay special attention to the statue of Vishnu, which is located in the gate tower to the right of the entrance. It is over three meters high and is carved out of solid stone.

• Bas-reliefs

This is undoubtedly one of the main treasures of the temple for which travelers come here. There are many bas-reliefs in the temple, and usually tourists are advised to see the most famous ones: "Plowing the Milky Ocean", "Battle of the Gods and Asuras" and "Battle of Kurukshetra". But our advice: every corner of Angkor Wat has something wonderful to offer, so take your time and explore all the bas-reliefs of the temple without rushing. Many of them depict events from ancient epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as well as episodes in the lives of the ancient Khmer people, so you can practice your knowledge of ancient history at the same time.

The bas-reliefs are located in the outer galleries of the first level (there are eight galleries in total) and cover their walls from floor to ceiling - which is more than two meters high! If you go up to the second level, you will see another group of bas-reliefs depicting two thousand heavenly maidens - apsaras.

• Temple Mountain

This is the main temple of the complex, located in its center, and the hallmark of all of Angkor. According to legend, it symbolizes the sacred mountain Meru, the center of the universe, and the moat around it - the ocean surrounding it. The image of this very temple can be found on postcards, in guidebooks and... even on the flag of Cambodia. The most recognizable part of the temple-mountain - five towers "cones". It is even said that the temple was built so that all five towers would be visible from all sides.

On a side note: If you decide to visit the temple, remember to observe the dress code: shoulders, arms and legs must be covered. Otherwise, you will not be allowed inside.

• Library

After walking around the main temple attractions, don't forget to check out the library. The building, of course, is not as grandiose as the main temple (one might even say modest in comparison), but it is not without charm, and the stone carvings decorating the walls are definitely worth your attention.

• Thousand Buddha Hall

This arcaded hall was once filled with many sculptures of Buddha in various poses. Unfortunately, not much of the former splendor remains, but even looking at the surviving statues, you can easily imagine the awe and reverence this place evoked hundreds of years ago - so strong is the atmosphere here.

Tourist's note:

When going to visit Angkor Wat, remember, it is open daily from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm. The ticket office opens at 5:00, and you can get into the complex from 5:30 am. You are allowed into the temple grounds until 17:00, and you must leave Angkor Wat by 18:00 (this is indicated on the back of the ticket).

Entrance to the temple costs 37 euros.