Angkor Temples

Angkor Temple are one of the most beautiful archeological site in Southeast Asia. It is a wonderful testimony of Khmer power and beauty.

The temple ruins are located few kilometer north from Siem Reap.

Siem Reap means « Victory against Siam » realted to a hudge victory that Cambodia had in the past in a war against Siam empire (Thailand).

From Khmer empire and cities, only the temple ruins still stand up, bricks and rocks were used to build sacred structures. The city was built in wood and now only the temple ruins left.

In Khmer architecture, temple towers symbolise mount Meru. The mount Meru according to hindu religion is located in Himalaya. The legend say that it is the sacred mountain were hindu gods are living.

When the temple could not be built on a natural mountain, the tower represent the sacred mountain at the center of the temple.

During the Khmer empire (802-1432) kings have competed in building the most impressive structures they could. They used temples as a way to be equivalent as hindu gods.

With the influence of Buddhism and the succes of it in Khmer empire, one of the last king, Jayavarman VII chosed to keep influence of buddhism mahayana and build the legendary Bayon Wat with 216 figures of his face.

You will notice a strong ressemblance with Buddha figures.

The most amazing temples are the Angkor Wat the most imposant temple in the world, the Bayon temple with the 216 figures and the Ta Prohm were the jungle has taken back his rights.

The Angkor Wat :

The Bayon Wat :

The Bayon Wat is impressive. For enjoying it at his best you have to climb on the third floor.

There you will face 216 figures. There are king Jayavarman VII faces who built this temple when he decide to convert the empire to Buddhism. The Bayon Wat is the center of the old city.

The Ta Prohm Wat :

The Ta Prohm will make you feel as an explorer because he had been left as he was found.

Here, wild has taken back his rights and the manificents kapok trees withs roots on and around ruins will for sure make you feel small. This is the temple were Tomb Raider movie was made few years ago.