Travel to Cambodia is captivated by its ancient archaeological sites, inspired by its spectacular beauty and moved by its tragic past. A trip to Cambodia cannot be complete without a temple tour. So hereunder are top temples to visit when you travel Indochina Cambodia.
Phnom Krom
Phnom Krom-source: internet
The rocky outcrop known as Phnom Krom is eight miles southwest of Siem Reap. This hilltop temple, which was built in the 9th Century, during the reign of King Yasovarman, was dedicated to the Brahma, Vishnu and Hindu gods Shiva.
If you head to Siem Reap by bullet boat, this is the big hill that you see near the landing. The hilltop area offers spectacular panoramic views of Siem Reap town, the surrounding countryside and the Great Lake Tonle Sap. The lake’s commanding view was used for a more practical, though more dangerous, object in the fairly recent retrospective as evidenced by a big gun placed on the hill’s side and having the direction toward the Great Lake’s landing part.
As for an unforgettable tourist experience, the real star of the show, a really delightful trip, in many ways, is the ride out from Siem Reap by tuk tuk. The journey takes you out by the Tonlé Sap Lake, where you will see the traditional stilt houses. Although as a viewing experience, it is not in the same league as the major temples, this temple is of significant cultural importance.
Baksei Chamkrong
Baksei Chamkrong- source: internet
When entering Angkor Thom from the south, you can see a small temple on the left hand side. Thanks to its strategic location, it is such a great short stop-off for those who are on the way to the more reputable temples in the ancient city. A Hindu temple was devoted to the Deity Shiva and was home to his golden statue. Baksei Chamkrong building was started by King Harshavarman and finished by his son Rajendravarman who also dedicated it to his father.
The name of Baksei Chamkrong, which means The Bird Who Shelters Under Its Wings, derives from the legend telling the story about a large bird swooping down and spreading its wings to shelter the king, who was under siege and tried to flee Angkor.Tours in Cambodia
A simple plan with a single tower on top of a square tiered base with four levels of diminishing size (27 meters, 89 feet, a side at the base), Baksei Chamkrong was the first temple-mountain at Angkor to be entirely built of durable materials including: sandstone, brick and laterite. It is 13 meters (43 feet) from the ground to the top of the Central Sanctuary. The balanced proportions and scale of this monument are noteworthy even though it is small.
Banteay Samré
Banteay Samré- source: internet
Located about 5 miles due east of Angkor Wat, a quarter of a mile to the east of the East Baray, which is a manmade lake long since dry, this impressive temple of Banteay Samre, which was constructed in the early 12th century by Yasovarman II and Suryavarman II, is an Hindu temple but clearly in the similar style as its much more reputable neighbor.
Sadly many of the temple’s treasures have been plundered over the years but the architectural style remains mainly important making it really worth making the effort to visit. With the moat in the interior having a floor made from laterite paving, it is a beautiful spot. Around the moat are many buildings which sit on raised bases beautifully decorated with people’s images framed by lotus buds.
Preah Khan
Preah Khan inner complex- source: internet
Found northeast of the ancient city of Angkor, Preah Khan, whose name means Royal Sword, was built in the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII. Originally served as a Buddhist monastery and school, engaging more than 1000 monks, it is a huge, highly explorable monastic complex, full of passages, carvings and photo opportunities. For a short period during the reconstruction of King Jayavarman VII’s permanent home in Angkor Thom, it was also his residence. Preah Khan, in harmony with the same architecture as that of Ta Prohm which was dedicated to Jayavarman VII’s mother, is dedicated to his father.
Features of note: the Buddha images, like most of Jayavarman VII’s monuments, were vandalized in the later Hindu resurgence. In the central corridor, some Buddha carvings have been carved over crudely with Bodhisattvas, and a linga and a lotus flower in a couple of odd cases.
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