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The Kingdom of Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia which well known with its famous mother temple of the world "The Mighty Angkor Wat" in Siem Reap province. Phnom Penh being the capital city. Cambodia is the successor state of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries.

A citizen of Cambodia is usually identified as "Cambodian" or "Khmer", which strictly refers to ethnic Khmers. Most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists of Khmer extraction, but the country also has a substantial number of predominantly Muslim Cham, as well as ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese and small animist hill tribes.

The country shares a border with Thailand to its west and northwest, with Laos to its northeast, and with Vietnam to its east and southeast. In the south it faces the Gulf of Thailand. The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the longest river in South East Asia Mekong river and the largest fresh water lake of Tonlé Sap, an important source of fish.

Capital : Phnom Penh
Geographic coordinates : 11 33 N, 104 55 E
Time difference : UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Government type : multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Population : 13,995,904
note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2007 est.)
Languages : Khmer (official) 95%, French, English
Official Currency : Kampuchean (Cambodian) Riel (KHR)
Currency code : KHR
Total Area : 181,040 sq km
Land : 176,520 sq km
Water : 4,520 sq km
Climate : tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation

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Phnom Penh is the most populous, largest, wealthiest and capital city of Cambodia. Phnom Penh situated at the confluence of the longest river of southeast asia Mekong river, Tonlé Sap & Tonlé Bassac rivers. The so called French-built cities of Indochina, while tarnished, has largely manage to survive the violence and brutal of its Khmer Rouge history.

Phnom Penh once known as the Pearl of Asia in the 1920s, along with Siem Reap, is a significant global and domestic tourist destination for Cambodia. Phnom Penh is known for its traditional Khmer and French influenced architecture. It is also the commercial, political and cultural hub of Cambodia and is home to more than 2 million of Cambodia's population of almost 15 million.

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Tonlé Sap also being translated as Great Lake, is one of the unique geographical wonders of the world. It offers visitors insights into the centuries-old traditions of riparian life and the natural splendor of the country. On the banks of the mighty Great Lake and the Tonlé Sap and Mekong Rivers, Khmers have celebrated for over two hundred years the changing of the river's flow. During the rainy season the Tonlé Sap River reversed direction, flooding the lake, increasing its size almost tenfold, making it the largest freshwater body in Southeast Asia.

In the flood season, water engulfs surrounding forests, regulating agricultural production by ensuring that the countryside is covered with fresh, fertile silt for rice cultivation.

The rivers and lakes of Cambodia are truly the lifeline for the largely agrarian and fishing society. The ancient Temples of Angkor depict in exquisite bas relief detail how the life along the lake affected all walks of Khmer life.

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Siem Reap, a small charming gateway town to the world famous heritage of the mother temple of Angkor temples. Because of these temples of Angkor attractions, Siem Reap has transformed itself into a major tourist hub. Siem Reap nowadays is a vibrant town with modern hotels and architectures. Despite international influences, Siem Reap and its people have conserved much of the town's image, culture and traditions.

In term of accessibility to Siem Reap town, it is 7km from the Angkor international airport and 6km from the Temples of Angkor. Siem Reap is accessible by air from Phnom Penh, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Vientiane, and Hanoi, and by land from Phnom Penh and Thai border. It's also accessible by boats from Phnom Penh or Battambang. For those who wish to travel by air from Malaysia there's a daily flight from Kuala Lumpur (KLIA LCCT) to Siem Reap flying with AirAsia (AK846 & AK847).

Siem Reap situated in the north-west of Cambodia. Around the centre, it remains a delightful town with rural qualities. Shady tree lined boulevards, a gentle winding river are remnants of the past and old French shophouses. The main town is concentrated around Sivutha Street and the Psar Chas area (Old Market area) where you can find old colonial buildings, shopping and commercial districts. Other fast developing areas are the airport road and main road to Angkor where you can find a number of large upscale hotels and resorts.

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Temples Of Angkor are the heart and soul of the Kingdom of Cambodia as well as the ancient capital of Cambodia's Khmer empire where a source of inspiration and national pride to all Khmers as they struggle to rebuild their lives after years of terror and trauma. Today, the temples are a point of pilgrimage for all Cambodians, and no traveller to the region will want to miss their extravagant beauty.

Temples Of Angkor are being the perfect fusion of spiritual devotion and creative ambition. Its culminated in the world's largest religious building, the Angkor Wat, and also housed one of the world's weirdest temple, the Bayon. Hundreds of temples surviving today are the sacred skeleton of the vast religious.

It would be great by giving yourself an opportunity to spend at least a week or more to explore Angkor, seeing the temples at a leisurely pace, returning to the principal attractions several times to see them at different times of day such as sunrise, midday or even sunset and taking in newly emerging sites further afield. However, many travellers feel that four or five days is the ideal length of time to spend at Angkor. This is just about long enough to fit in all the highlights of the Angkor area, but even with only two days at your disposal you can pack in a lot. For those who think of visiting Temples Of Angkor just in a day, I would say just forget about it!

A
Angkor Thom
Angkor Wat

B
Baksei Chamkrong
Banteay Kdei
Banteay Samré
Banteay Srei
Baphuon
Bayon
Beng Mealea

C
Chau Say Tevoda

E
East Mebon

K
Kbal Spean

N
North Kleang

P
Phimeanakas
Phnom Bakheng
Phnom Krom
Prasat Kravan
Prasat Suor Prat
Pre Rup
Preah Khan
Preah Neak Pean
Preah Palilay
Preah Pithu

R
Roluos
Royal Enclosure

S
South Kleang
Spean Thmor
Sra Srang

T
Ta Keo
Ta Nei
Ta Prohm
Ta Som
Tep Pranam
Terrace Of Elephants
Terrace Of Leper King
Thommanon

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The most enduring fortified city of Angkor Thom literally the Great Angkor or Great City, was built by Angkor's greatest king, Jayavarman VII, who came to power following the disastrous sacking of the previous Khmer capital by the Chams. At its height, it may have supported a population of one million people in the surrounding region. At the centre of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north. It is enclosed by a 8m high and 12km in length square wall (Jayagiri) and encircled by a 100m wide moat (Jayasindhu) which believe to have been inhabited by fierce crocodiles.

This great city has five monumental gates, one each in the northern, western and southern walls and two in the eastern wall. The gates, which are 20m in height, are decorated with stone elephant trunks and crowned by four gargantuan faces of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara facing the cardinal directions. In front of each gate stands giant statues of 54 gods (to the left of the causeway) and 54 demons (to the right of the causeway), a motif taken from the story of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk illustrated in the famous bas-relief at Angkor Wat.

The south gate is most popular with visitors, as it has been fully restored and many of the copied heads remain in place. However, this gate is on the main road into Angkor Thom from Angkor Wat, and it gets very busy from time to time. More peaceful are the east and west gates, found at the end of uneven trails. The causeway at the west gate has completely collapsed, leaving a jumble of ancient stones sticking out of the soil.

In the centre of the walled enclosure are the city's most important monuments, including the Bayon, the Baphuon, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Preah Palilay and the Terrace of Elephants.

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Angkor Wat is a temple at Angkor, built for King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. It is simply unique, a stunning blend of spirituality and symmetry, an enduring example of man's devotion to his gods.

Angkor Wat the largest and best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre - first Hindu, dedicated to Vishnu, then Buddhist since its foundation. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.

It is famous for its beguiling Apsara (Heavenly Nymphs). There are altogether more than 3,000 carved into the walls of the temple from north to south and east to west.

Angkor Wat is surrounded by a moat, 190m wide, which forms a giant rectangle measuring 1.5km by 1.3km. The rectangular outer wall, which measures 1025m by 800m, has a gate on each side, but the main entrance, a 235m wide portch richly decorated with carvings and sculptures, is on the western side.

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Baksei Chamkrong is one of the few brick edifices, a small Hindu temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and used to hold a golden image of him located southwest of the south gate of Angkor Thom in the immediate vicinity of Angkor. It was built dedicated to Yasovarman by his son, King Harsavarman. The temple was completed by Rajendravarman II. In the early 10th century, King Harshavarman erected five statues in this temple such as two of Shiva, one of Vishnu and two of Devi.

A multi-tiered Baksei Chamkrong is also well-proportioned though petite temple, it was once decorated with a covering of lime mortar. Like virtually all of the structures of Angkor, it opens to the east. This temple is one of the first temples constructed of durable material such as bricks and laterite and with decoration in sandstone. Much of the stucco on the surface of the temple has vanished. The main sandstone lintel is decorated with a fine carving of Indra (God of war) standing on his three-headed elephant namely Airavata. Garlands emanate from either side of Indra in the style current to the monument. There is an inscription on either side of the small doorway.

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Banteay Kdei, a massive Buddhist monastery located southeast of Ta Prohm and east of Angkor Thom was built from the latter part of the 12th century, is surrounded by four concentric walls. The outer wall measures 500m by 700m. Each of these four entrances is decorated with garuda, which hold aloft one of Jayavarman VII's favourite themes: The Four Faces of Avalokiteshvara. The inside of the central tower as never finished and much of the temple is in a ruinous state due to hasty construction. It is considerably less busy than nearby Ta Prohm and this alone ca justify a visit.

Just east of Banteay Kdei is a basin of earlier construction, Sra Srang (Pool of Ablutions), measuring 800m by 400m. A tiny island in the middle once bore a wooden temple, of which only the stone base remains. This is a beautiful body of water from which to take in a quiet sunrise.

Banteay Kdei has been occupied by monks at various intervals over the centuries, but the inscription stone has never been discovered so it is unknown to whom the temple is dedicated.

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Banteay Samré, a Hindu temple built in the early 12th century located 400m east of the East Baray under Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II which from the same period as Angkor Wat. The temple is in a fairly healthy sate of preservation due to some extensive renovation work, although its isolation has resulted in some looting during the past two decades. The area consists of a central temple with four wings, preceded by a hall and also accompanied by two libraries, the southern of which is remarkably well preserved. The whole ensemble is enclosed by two large concentric walls around what would have been the unique feature of an inner moat, sadly now dried up.

To reach Banteay Samré is which in practical terms means following the road to Banteay Srei to the village of Pradak and continuing straight ahead rather than following the tarmac to the right. A visit here can be combined with a trip to Banteay Srei or Phnom Bok.

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Banteay Srei, a 10th century Cambodian temple is considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art. A Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, it is cut from stone of a pinkish hue and included some of the finest stone carving seen anywhere on the planet. It is one of the smallest sites at Angkor, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in stature. It is wonderfully well preserved and many of its carvings are three-dimensional. Banteay Srei means 'Citadel of Woman' and it is sadi that it must have been built by a woman, as the elaborate carvings are too fine for the hand of a man.

Banteay Srei began its construction in 967 and it is one of the few temples around Angkor not to be commissioned by a king, but by a Brahman who may have been a tutor to Jayavarman V. The temple is square and has entrances at the lavishly decorated libraries and the three causeway. Of interest are the lavishly decorated libraries and the three central towers, which are decorated with male and female divinities and beautiful filigree relief work.

Banteay Srei is 21km northeast of Bayon or about 32km from Siem Reap. It is well signposted and the road is surfaced all the way, planning a trip from Siem Reap to Banteay Srei should take approximately 45 minutes. It is possible to combine a visit to Banteay Srei with a trip to the River of a Thousand Lingas at Kbal Spean and Beng Mealea, or to Banteay Samré and Phnom Bok. It can be very busy in the morning; lunchtime is quiet, but very hot; late afternoon is probably best, although not so late that the sun has dropped beneath the tree line.

The unbelievable genius classic carvings at Banteay Srei include delicate women with lotus flowers in hand and traditional skirts clearly visible, as well as breathtaking recreations of scenes from the epic Ramayana adorning the library pediments. However, the sum of the parts is no greater than the whole; almost every inch of these interior buildings is covered in decoration. Standing watch over such perfect creations are the mythical guardians, all of which are copies of originals stored in the National Museum.

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Baphuon, a three-tiered mid 11th century built temple mountain would have been one of the most spectacular of Angkor's temple in its heyday. It's located 200m northwest of Bayon and the construction probably began under Suryavarman I and was later completed by Udayadityavarman II dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. It marked the centre of the city that existed before the construction of Angkor Thom.

Baphuon was the centre of EFEO restoration efforts when the Cambodian civil was erupted and work paused for a quarter of a century. EFEO is a French abbreviation from École française d'Extrême-Orient, a French institute dedicated to the study of Asian societies. Translated into English, it approximately means the French School of the Far East.

The temple as taken apart piece by piece, in keeping with the anastylosis method of renovation, but all the records were destroyed during the Khmer Rouge years, leaving experts with the world's largest jigsaw puzzle. The EFEO resumed a 10-year restoration programme in 1995, which should see the temple fully reopen to the public from 2007 onwards. Baphuon is approached by a 200m elevated walkway made of sandstone, and the central structure is 43m high. I was there in May 2007, there are still a few section still close for restoration.

Apparently in the late 15th century, on the western side of the temple, the retaining wall of the second level was fashioned into a reclining Buddha 40m in length. The unfinished figure is difficult to make out, but the head is on the northern side of the wall and the gate is where the hips should be; to the left of the gate protrudes an arm. When it comes to the legs and feet the latter are entirely gone and imagination must suffice. This huge project under taken by the Buddhist faithful 500 years ago demonstrates that Angkor was never entirely abandoned.

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Bayon is a well-known and richly decorated Khmer temple at ancient city of Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th century or early 13th century as the official state temple of creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia's legendary king, Jayavarman VII, Bayon is unique even among its cherished contemporaries stands at the centre of Jayavarman's capital the Angkor Thom.

Best of all, a collection of 54 gothic towers decorated with 216 eerie smiling, enormous faces of Avalokiteshvara that bear more than a passing resemblance to the great king himself. These huge heads glare down from every angle, exuding power and control with a hint of humanity and this was precisely the blend required to hold sway over such a vast empire, ensuring the disparate and far-flung population yielded to his magnanimous will. As you walk around, a dozen or more of the heads are visible at any one time and almost level with your eyes or staring down from on high.

For many years Bayon's origins were not known. Shrouded in dense jungle, it also took researchers some time to realize that it stands in the exact centre of the city of Angkor Thom. There is still much mystery associated with Bayon such as its exact function and symbolism and this seems only appropriate for a monument whose signature is an enigmatic smiling face.

The eastward orientation of Bayon leads most people to visit it early in the morning, preferably just after sunrise, when the sun inches upwards, lighting face after face with warmth. Bayon, however, looks equally good in the late afternoon, and if you stay for the sunset you get the same effect as the sunrise, in reverse.

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Beng Mealea, built to the same floorplan as Angkor Wat in 12th century ago under Suryavarman II, it is a spectacular sight to behold. It's one of the most mysterious temples at Angkor, as nature has well and truly run riot here. Beng Mealea is enclosed by a massive moat measuring 1.2km by 900m, much of which has ruins today.

Beng Mealea is about 40km east of Bayon and 6.5km southeast of Phnom Kulen. By road it is about 80km from Siem Reap and is a two hour trip.

The entire temple has been utterly subsumed by jungle, and standing just a few meters away from the trees it is hard to tell what lies beneath. Entering from the south, visitors wend their way over piles of masonry, through long dark chambers and between hanging vines to arrive at the central tower, which has completely collapsed and ruined. Hidden away among the rubble and foliage are several impressive carvings, as well as a well preserved library in the northeastern quadrant. The temple is a special place and it is worth taking the time to explore thoroughly. There is also now a large wooden walkway to the centre which constructed in year 2004.

Beng Mealea is located at the centre of an ancient Angkorian road connecting Angkor Thom. A small Angkorian bridge just west of Chau Srei Vibol temple is the only remaining trace of the old Angkorian road between Beng Mealea and Angkor Thom.

A visit Beng Mealea is now costs USD5 per person during my travel in year 2007 and there are additional small charges for cars and motocycles, make sure you work out in advance who is paying this. It is best to undertake a long day trip combining Beng Mealea, Kbal Spean and Banteay Srei.

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Chau Say Tevoda a mid 12th century built Hindu temple located just east of Angkor Thom's east gate and across the Ave of Victory from Thommanon.

It was probably built during the second quarter of the 12th century and dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. It has been under renovation by the Chinese for years to bring it up to the condition of its twin temple, Thommanon.

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East Mebon, a 10th century Hindu temple, erected by Rajendravarman II, would have been on an islet in the centre of the Eastern Baray, but is now very much on dry land. This temple is like a smaller version of Pre Rup, which was built 15 to 20 years later and lies to the south. The temple-mountain form is topped off by the now familiar quincuncial arrangement of towers. The elaborate brick shrines are dotted with neatly arranged holes, which attached the original plasterwork. The base of the temple is guarded at its corners by perfectly carved stone figures of harnessed elephants, many of which are still in a very good state of preservation.

The East Mebon was built dedicated to the Hindu god of Shiva and honours the parents of the king. Its location reflects Khmer architects' concern with orientation and cardinal directions. It was built on a north-south axis with Rajendravarman's state temple, Pre Rup, located about 1,200 meters to the south just outside the baray. The East Mebon also lies on an east-west axis with the palace temple Phimeanakas, another creation of Rajendravarman's reign, located about 6,800 meters due west.

It has two enclosing walls and three tiers. It includes the full array of durable Khmer construction materials: sandstone, brick, laterite and stucco. At the top is a central tower on a square platform, surrounded by four smaller towers at the platform's corners. The towers are of brick; holes that formerly anchored stucco are visible.

The sculpture at the East Mebon is varied and exceptional, including two-meter-high free-standing stone elephants at corners of the first and second tiers. Religious scenes include the god Indra atop his three-headed elephant Airavata, and Shiva on his mount, the sacred bull Nandi. Carving on lintels is particularly elegant.

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Kbal Spean is well known with its spectacularly carved riverbed, set deep in the jungle to the northeast of Angkor. More commonly referred to in English as the 'River of a Thousand Lingas'. The name actually means 'The Bridgehead', a reference to the natural rock bridge at the site. Linga have been elaborately carved into the riverbed, and images of Hindu deities are dotted about the area. Kbal Spean was discovered in 1969, when EFEO ethnologist Jean Boulbet was shown the area by an essai; the area was soon off-limits due to the civil war, only becoming safe again in 1998.

Approaching the wonder of Kbal Spean, ones need 1.0km uphill walk to the carvings, along a pretty path that winds its way up into the jungle, passing by some interesting boulder formations along the way. Carry plenty of water up the hill, as there is none available beyond the parking area. The path eventually splits to the waterfall or the river carvings. It is best to start with the river carvings and work back down to the waterfall to cool off. There is an impressive carving of Vishnu on the upper section of the river, followed by a series of carvings at the bridgehead itself, many of which have been tragically hacked off in the recent years. This whole area is now roped off to protect the carvings from further damage.

Along way, you may see many of local coming here for picnicking which is not advisable at all. Following the river down, there are several more impressive carvings of Vishnu, and Shiva with his consort Uma, and further downstream hundreds of linga appear on the riverbed. At the top of the waterfall, there are many animal images, including a cow and a frog, and a path winds around the boulders to a wooden staircase leading down to the base of the falls. Visitors between February and June will be disappointed to see very little water here. The best time to visit is between September and December.

Kbal Spean is generally a more rewarding place to visit a compared to Phnom Kulen. Admission to Kbal Spean is included in the general Angkor pass and the last entry to the site is at 3.30pm.

An on way journey to Kbal Spean is about 50km northeast of Siem Reap or about 18km beyond the temple of Banteay Srei. At the time of visiting the road from Banteay Srei had generated into an impassable mess and filled up with all the muddy water. However, once the road is flattened again, it is an 18km drive from Banteay Srei. Lately it has been taking an hour or more. This road continues north to Anlong Vieng, formerly a stronghold of the Khmer Rouge.

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The North Kleang and the South Kleang dates from the period of Jayavarman V built along the east side of Royal Square.

In front of the two Kleangs are 12 laterite Towers there are 10 in a row and two more at right angles facing the Ave of Victory which known as the Prasat Suor Prat or Temple of the Tightrope Dancers. They are oriented along the north-south axis. Archaeologists believe the towers, which form an honour guard along Royal Square, were constructed by Jayavarman VII. Hence, some scholars believe that The two were not built at the same time where the The North Kleang was built under King Jayavarman and the South Kleang under his successor Suryavarman I, but both have similar architectural design, only a slight difference whereby South Kleang is slight narrower.

It is likely that each one originally contained either a statue or a linga. It is believed artists performed for the king on tightropes or rope-bridges strung between these towers. It is also rumoured that they were used for public trials of sorts during a dispute the tow parties would be made to sit inside two towers, one party eventually succumbing to disease and hence proven guilty.

They have given their name to the Kleang style, which is characterised by relatively simple lintels (a simple construction technique, also called "post and beam", where a horizontal beam is supported by two vertical posts at either end.) Other buildings in the style are The Phimeanakas and The Ta Keo.

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Phimeanakas, a 10th century Kleang styles three tier pyramid built as a Hindu temple. It stands close to the centre of a walled area that once housed the royal palace, not that there's anything much left of the palace today except for town sandstone pools near the northern wall.

Phimeanakas literally being called "Celestial Palace", and some scholars say that it was once topped by a golden spire. Today it only hints at this former splendour and looks a little worse for wear. Most of the decorative features were broken or have disappeared. Still, it is worth trudging up the second and third levels for good views of Baphuon.

The sandstone pools near the northern wall was once the site of royal ablutions, these are now used as sort of swimming pool by local children. It is fronted to the east by the Terrace of Elephants. Construction of the palaces began under Rajendravarman II, although it was used by Jayavarman V and Udayadityavarman I. It was later added to and embellished by Jayavarman VII and his successors.

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Phnom Bakheng, a Hindu temple in the form of a temple mountain. Dedicated to Shiva, it was built at the end of the 9th century, during the reign of King Yasovarman I. It is also home to the first of the temple-mountains built in the vicinity of Angkor. Yasovarman I chose Phnom Bakheng over the Roluos area, where the earlier capital had been located.

Phnom Bakheng located 400m south of Angkor Thom and its famous attraction is the sunset view of Angkor Wat. Unpleasantly, and inevitably, the whole affair has turned into something like a pack of sardine especially during the peak season, with crowds of tourists gasping up the steep slope of the hill and jockeying for space once on top. Coming down can be even worse as there is nothing at all in the way of lighting. Moreover, the steep stairway can be dangerous if precaution is not implemented. Atop the hill, in order to get a decent picture of Angkor Wat in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun you will need at least a 300mm lens as the temple is 1.3km away.

The temple-mountain has five tiers, with seven levels which including the base and the summit. At the base believed were altogether 44 towers. Each of the five tiers had 12 towers. The summit of the temple has four towers at the cardinal points of the compass as well as a central sanctuary. All of these numbers are of symbolic significance. The seven levels, for example, represent the seven Hindu Heavens, while the total number of towers, excluding the Central Sanctuary, is 108, a particularly auspicious number and one that correlates to the lunar calendar.

To visit Phnom Bakheng there are two alternatives such as by the dusty and uneven trail or with an elephants. Choosing walking through the trail have been a feeling like ones had participated themselves in the competition run as many tourists rush to greet for the sunset. Riding with an elephants certainly makes for a memorable journey. It is advisable to book in advance, as the rides are very popular with tour groups. If you are visiting Cambodia with a tight budget then you are advisable to go up by your own feet rather than elephants, as with elephants at least cost USD15 for one way.

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Phnom Krom, a hilltop temple 12km southwest of Siem Reap overlooking the Tonlé Sap, dates from the reign of Yasovarman I in the late 9th or early 10th century. The name means 'Lower Hill' and is a reference to its geographic location in relation to its sister temples of Phnom Bakheng and Phnom Bok. The three towers, dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma, are in a ruined state, but this remains one of the more tranquil spots form which to view sunset, complete with an active wat. The fast boats from Phnom Penh dock near here, but it is not possible to see the temple from beneath the hill.

Oriented toward the east, the temple is enclosed by a wall built of laterite blocks. Along the walls' top runs a cornice. Gates bisect the walls at each of the four cardinal directions. Just inside the east gate are four small buildings arrayed in a north-south row, possibly formerly used as crematoria. Inside the walls on the north and south sides are three halls now collapsed. The temple's focus is three towers, also in a row running north to south. They sit atop a platform reached by staircases of seven steps. The southern tower is dedicated to Brahma, the central to Shiva, the northern to Vishnu. They are built of sandstone; much of their carving and detail has been lost to erosion.

Phnom Krom is the southernmost of three hilltop temples built in the Angkor region during the reign of Yasovarman. The other two are Phnom Bakheng and Phnom Bok.

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Prasat Kravan, a Hindu temple with five unique brick towers which are arranged in a north-south line and oriented to the east, were built for Hindu worship in 921. The structure is unusual in that it was not constructed by royalty; this accounts for its slightly remote location, away from the centre of the capital. Prasat Kravan is just south of the road between Angkor Wat and Banteay Kdei.

It was partially restored in 1968 and is particularly notable of the stunning brick carvings cut into the interior walls. The images of Vishnu in the largest central towers show the eight-armed deity on the back wall, taking the three gigantic steps with which he reclaimed the world on the left wall, and riding a garuda on the right wall. The northernmost tower displays bas-reliefs of Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi.

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Prasat Suor Prat, the 12 laterite Towers where there are 10 in a row and two more at right angles facing the Ave of Victory stands like a Temple of Tightrope Dancers in front of North Kleang and South Kleang

The North Kleang and the South Kleang dates from the period of Jayavarman V built along the east side of Royal Square. Archaeologists believe the towers, which form an honour guard along Royal Square, were constructed by Jayavarman VII. Hence, some scholars believe that The two were not built at the same time where the North Kleang was built under King Jayavarman and the South Kleang under his successor Suryavarman I, but both have similar architectural design, only a slight difference whereby South Kleang is slight narrower.

It is likely that each one originally contained either a statue or a linga. It is believed artists performed for the king on tightropes or rope-bridges strung between these towers. It is also rumoured that they were used for public trials of sorts during a dispute the tow parties would be made to sit inside two towers, one party eventually succumbing to disease and hence proven guilty.

They have given their name to the Kleang style, which is characterised by relatively simple lintels (a simple construction technique, also called "post and beam", where a horizontal beam is supported by two vertical posts at either end.) Other buildings in the style are Phimeanakas and Ta Keo.

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Pre Rup, yet another state temple built by King Rajendravarman II, is about 1km south of the East Mebon. Like its nearby predecessor, the temple consists of a pyramid shaped temple-mountain with the uppermost of the three tiers carrying five square shrines arranged as a quincunx. The brick sanctuaries were also once decorated with a plaster coating, fragments of which still remain on the southwestern tower; there are some amazingly detailed lintel carvings here. Several of the outermost eastern towers are perilously close to collapse and are propped up by armies of wooden supports.

Pre Rup means 'Turning the Body' and refers to a traditional method of cremation in which a corpse's outline is traced in the cinders, first in one direction and then in the other; this suggests that the temple may have served as an early royal crematorium.

This is one of the most popular sunset spots around Angkor, as the view over the surrounding rice-fields of the Eastern Baray is beautiful.

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Preah Khan means Sacred Sword is one of the largest complexes at Angkor with a maze of vaulted corridors, fine carvings and lichen-clad stonework. It is a good counterpoint to Ta Prohm, although it generally gets fewer visitors. Preah Khan was built by Jayavarman VII, and like Ta Prohm it is a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts by the World Monuments Fund (WMF) should ensure stabilization.

Dated in year 1191, the central sanctuary of the temple was dedicated and a large stone stele, originally located within the first eastern enclosure, but now housed safely at Angkor Conservation, say much about Preah Khan's role as a centre for workshop and learning. The temple was dedicated to 515 divinities and during the course of a year 18 major festivals took place here, requiring a team of thousands just to maintain the place.

Preah Khan covers a massive area, but the temple itself is within a rectangular enclosing wall of around 700m by 800m. Four processional walkways approach the gates of the temple, and these are bordered by another stunning depiction of the Churning Of The Ocean Of Milk, as in the approach to Angkor Thom, although most of the heads have disappeared. For the central sanctuary, four long, vaulted galleries extend in the cardinal directions. Many of the interior walls of Preah Khan were once coated with plaster that was held in place by holes in the stone. Today, many delicate carvings remain, including essai and apsara.

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Preah Neak Pean means Intertwined Serpent (Naga). It was late 12th century built Buddhist temple with a petite yet perfect temple constructed by Jayavarman VII. It has a large square pool surrounded by four smaller square pools. In the centre of the central pool is a circular 'island' encircled by the two naga whose intertwined tails give the temple its name. Preah Neak Pean provides the blueprint for the ultimate swimming complex.

In the pool around the central island there were once four statues, but only one remains, reconstructed from the debris by the French archaeologists who cleared the site. The curious figure has the body of a horse supported by a tangle of human legs. It relates to a legend that Avalokiteshvara once saved a group of shipwrecked followers from an island of ghouls by transforming himself into a flying horse.

Water once flowed from the central pool into the four peripheral pools via ornamental spouts, which can still be seen in the pavilions at each axis of the pool. The spouts are in the form of an elephant's head, a lion's head, a horse's head as well as a human's head. The pool was used for ritual purification rites and the complex was once in the centre of a huge 3km by 900m baray serving Preah Khan, now dried up and overgrown. It must have been truly spectacular to approach this island temple by boat.

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Preah Palilay, late 13th century built Bayon style Buddhist temple. Its most distinctive feature with its chimney shaped and also one of the most atmospheric temples in Angkor Thom, located about 200m north of the Royal Enclosure's northern wall. It was erected during the rule of Jayavarman VII and originally housed a Buddha, which has long since vanished. There are several enormous trees looming large over the ruins central sanctuary.

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Preah Pithu, a 12th century Hindu and Buddhist temples enclosed by a wall and designates a group of five small temples and terraces located at the northern end of the Royal Square, across Northern Ave from Tep Pranam. At the time of visit, they are in an advance state of disrepair but some richly decorated pediments are still remaining.

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Roluos, an ancient Cambodian city with group of monuments which served as Indravarman I's capital being called Hariharalaya, are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of the age of Khmer classical art. Before the construction of Roluos. Generally only less durable construction materials such as brick were employed.

Roluos town can be reach 13km east of Siem Reap. There are contemporary Buddhist monasteries at Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko. For those who aren't travelling much beyond Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, it may be worth venturing into the genuine Cambodian town of Roluos for a refreshing drink.

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Bakong built in the final decades of 9th century featuring the largest and most interesting mountain-temple in Angkor and also the Roluos Group temples; it has an active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. It was built and dedicated to Shiva by Indravarman I. It's a representation of Mt. Meru, and it served as the city's central temple. The east facing complex consists of a five tier central pyramid of sandstone, 60m square at the base, flanked by eight towers of brick and sandstones and by other minor sanctuaries. A number of the eight towers below the upper central tower are still partly covered by their original plasterwork.

The complex is enclosed by three concentric walls and a moat. There are well-preserved statutes of stone elephants on each corner of the first three levels of the central temples. There 12 stupas - four to a side - on the third tier. The sanctuary on the fifth level was a later addition during the reign of Suryavarman II, in the style of Angkor Wat's central tower.

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Lolei, the northernmost Roluos Group temple an almost exact replica of the towers of Preah Ko were built on an islet in the centre of a large reservoir by Yasovarman I, the founder of the first city at Angkor.

Lolei was the last of the three temples to be built after Preah Ko and Bakong as part of the city of Hariharalaya that once flourished at Roluos in 893. Lolei is thought to be a modern corruption of the ancient name 'Hariharalaya' which means 'the city of Harihara'.

The sandstone carvings in the niches of the temples are worth a look and there are Sanskrit inscriptions on the doorposts. According to one of the inscriptions, the four towers were dedicated by Yasovarman I to his mother, his father and his maternal grandparents on 12 July 893.

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Preah Ko was the first temple to be built in ancient city of Hariharalaya which erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century, the ancient town now being called Roluos, and was dedicated to Shiva. Preah Ko means 'The Scared Bull', the six prasat (stone halls), aligned in two rows and decorated with carved sandstone and plaster reliefs, face east; the central tower of the front row is a great deal larger than the other towers. Preah Ko has some of the best surviving examples of plasterwork seen at Angkor There are elaborate inscriptions in the ancient Hindu language of Sanskrit on the doorposts of each tower.

The towers of Preah Ko feature three nandi (sacred oxen), all of whom look like a few steaks have been sliced off them over the years. Preah Ko was dedicated by Indravarman I to his deified ancestors in AD 880. The front towers relate to male ancestors or gods, the rear towers to female ancestors or goddesses. Lions guard the steps up to the temple.

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Royal Enclosure set off on the eastern side by the Terrace Of Elephants and lies just north of the Baphuon, surrounded by a 6 meter high wall. Remodeled more than once by successive monarchs, time and the encroaching jungle have left their mark on the stones and the palace is now in poor condition.

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The North Kleang and the South Kleang dates from the period of Jayavarman V built along the east side of Royal Square

In front of the two Kleangs are 12 laterite Towers there are 10 in a row and two more at right angles facing the Ave of Victory which known as the Prasat Suor Prat or Temple of the Tightrope Dancers. They are oriented along the north-south axis. Archaeologists believe the towers, which form an honour guard along Royal Square, were constructed by Jayavarman VII. Hence, some scholars believe that The two were not built at the same time where the North Kleang was built under King Jayavarman and the South Kleang under his successor Suryavarman I, but both have similar architectural design, only a slight difference whereby South Kleang is slight narrower.

It is likely that each one originally contained either a statue or a linga. It is believed artists performed for the king on tightropes or rope-bridges strung between these towers. It is also rumoured that they were used for public trials of sorts during a dispute the tow parties would be made to sit inside two towers, one party eventually succumbing to disease and hence proven guilty.

They have given their name to the Kleang style, which is characterised by relatively simple lintels (a simple construction technique, also called "post and beam", where a horizontal beam is supported by two vertical posts at either end.) Other buildings in the style are Phimeanakas and Ta Keo.

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Spean Thmor, the Khmer era bridge means Stone Bridge, it located west of Ta Keo of which and arch and several piers remain, is 200m east of Thommanon. Jayavarman VII, the last great builder of Angkor, constructed many roads with these immense stone bridges spanning watercourses, but this is the only large bridge remaining in the immediate vicinity of Angkor.

It was built on the former path of Siem Reap river between Angkor Thom and Eastern Baray and probably rebuilt after the Khmer period some time around 15th century. The 14 narrow arches are 1.10m wide.

The bridge vividly highlight how the water level has dropped over the subsequent centuries and may offer another clue to the collapse of Angkor's extensive irrigation system. Just north of Spean Thmor is a large and surprisingly elegant water wheel.

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Sra Srang means 'Pool of Ablutions', for which it is an artificial lake used for ceremonies and royal baths during the ancient day, now the local children cavort and dive there during hot season. It is a baray at Angkor. It measuring 800m by 400m. A tiny island in the middle once bore a wooden temple, today only the stone base remains.

Sra Srang landing stage at the west end of the baray, opposite the entrance to Banteay Kdei. This is a beautiful body of water from which to take in a quiet sunrise.

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Ta Keo is a stark, undecorated temple that undoubtedly would have been one the finest of Angkor's structures. It is said to be an incomplete temple in Khleang style built as the state temple by Jayavarman V, it was dedicated to Hindu God of Shiva.

Ta Keo standing east of the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom, Ta Keo is a symbolic depiction of Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods. The temple is oriented toward the east. Enclosed by two walls, it was the first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone in a zigurrat style. The summit of the central tower, which is surrounded by four lower towers, is almost 50m high. At that level, five towers are arranged with one at each of four corners and one at the center, this is being a typical of many Angkorian temple-mountains.

As of today, no one is certain why work as never completed, but it is believed that likely cause may have been the death of Jayavarman V. However, some scholars have also attributed it to an inauspicious lightning strike during construction.

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Ta Nei, a 12th century stone temple located 800m north of Ta Keo and northwest corner of the Eastern Baray, was built by Jayavarman VII. There is something of the spirit of Ta Prohm here, albeit on a lesser scale, with moss and tentacle-like roots covering many outer areas of this small temple. It is a little hide-away is one of the temples left untouched by the tourists. To visit Ta Nei, ones need some 1.5km walk through a dusty trail but surround with untouched jungle plants and flora.

It now houses the Apsara Authority's training unit and can be accessed only by walking across the French-built dam. To get to the dam, take the long track on the left, just after Spean Thmor when coming from Siem Reap.

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Ta Prohm is undoubtedly the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuriesand should be high on the hit list of every visitor. It gets famous from the movie of Tomb Raider. After then, it also being called and known by many tourists as the temple of housing Tomb Raider tree.

Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it has been left to be swallowed by the jungle, and looks very much the way most of the monuments of Angkor appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. That's the theory but in fact the jungle is pegged back and only the largest trees are left in place, making it manicured rather than raw like Beng Mealea. A worthwhile visit to Ta Prohm is a unique, other world experience. The temple is cloaked in dappled shadow, its crumbling towers and walls locked in the slow muscular embrace of vast roots systems. If Angkor Wat, the Bayon and other temples are testimony to the genius of the ancient Khmers, then Ta Prohm reminds us equally of the awesome fecundity and power of the jungle. There is a poetic cycle to this venerable ruin, with human's first conquering nature to rapidly create, and nature once again conquering humans to slowly destroy.

Ta Prohm originally known as Rajavihara means the monastery of the King, Ta Prohm was a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII. It is one of the few temples in the Angkor region where an inscription provides information about the temple's dependents and inhabitants. The numbers quoted really are staggering, although possibly include an element of exaggeration to glorify the king.

Ta Prohm is a temple of towers, close courtyards and narrow corridors. Many of the corridors are impassable, clogged with jumbled piles of delicately carved stone blocks dislodged by the roots of long-decayed trees. Bas-reliefs on bulging walls are carpeted by lichen, moss and creeping plants, and shrubs sprout from the roofs of monumental porches. The hundreds years old trees, their leaves filtering the sunlight and casting a greenish pall over the whole scene. The most popular of the many strangulating root formations is that on the inside of the easternmost gopura (entrance pavilion) of the central enclosure. It used to be possible to climb onto the damaged galleries, but this is now prohibited to protect both the temple and visitor. Many of these precariously balance stone weigh a tonne or more and would do some serious damage if they came down.

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Ta Som, is yet another late 12th century Buddhist temple of Jayavarman VII, which stands to the east of Preah Neak Pean. The central area of Ta Som is in a ruined state, but restoration by the World Monument Fund is in progress by the time of visiting. The impressive feature at Ta Som is the huge tree completely overwhelming the eastern gopura, providing one of the most popular photo opportunities in the Angkor area.

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Tep Pranam, a Buddhist terrace with an 82m by 34m cruciform only 150m east of Preah Palilay, was once the base of a pagoda of lightweight construction. Nearby is a reconstructed 4.5m high Buddha statue. Hence, a group of Buddhist nuns lives in a wooden structure close by.

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The Terrace Of Elephants with length of 350m long terrace was used as a giant viewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king's grand audience hall and also a platform from which to view his victorious returning army. It is part of the walled city of Angkor Thom, a ruined temple complex in Cambodia. It was attached to the palace of Phimeanakas, of which only a few ruins remain. Most of the original structure was made of organic material and has long since disappeared. Most of what remains are the foundation platforms of the complex. The terrace is named for the carvings of elephants on its eastern face.

From the bas relief wall and try to imagine the pomp and grandeur of the Khmer empire at its height, with infantry, cavalry, horse-drawn chariots and elephants parading across the Royal Square in a colourful procession, pennants and standards aloft. Looking on is the god-king, crowned with a gold diadem, shaded by multi-tiered parasols and attended by mandarins and handmaidens bearing gold and silver utensils.

The Terrace Of Elephants has five outworks extending towards the Royal Square where three in the centre and one at each end. The middle section of the retaining wall is decorated with life-size garuda and lions; towards either end are the two parts of the famous parade of elephants, complete with their Khmer mahouts.

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Terrace of Leper King located just north of the Terrace Of Elephants, is a 7m high platform. On top of the platform stands an Angkor's mysteries as such a nude, though sexless statue. In the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh's National Museum houses the original statue, and various theories have been advanced to explain its meaning. Legend has it that at least tow of the Angkor kings had leprosy, and the statue may represent one of them. A more likely explanation is that the statue is of Yama, the god of death, and that the Terrace of Leper King housed the royal crematorium.

The front retaining walls of the Terrace are decorated with at least five tiers of meticulously executed carvings of seated apsara; armed with short double-edged swords, other figure include kings wearing pointed diadems and accompanied by the court and princesses, the latter adorned with beautiful rows of pearls. The Terrace, built in the late 12th century, between the construction of Angkor Wat and the Bayon, once supported a pavilion made of lightweight materials.

Towards the southern side of the Terrace of Leper King which facing the Terrace Of Elephants, there is access to the front wall of a hidden terrace that was covered up when the outer structure was built whereby a terrace within a terrace. Four tiers of apsara and other figures as well as naga are really well preserved. Some of the figures carry fearsome and eerie expressions.

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Thommanon, a Hindu temple built in the end of 11th century located just north of Chau Say Tevoda. The building construction completed during the reign of Suryavarman II. Although unique, the temple complements its neighbour, as it was built to a similar design around the same time. It was also dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. Thommanon is in much better condition than the rather ruinous Chau Say Tevoda.