ANGKOR

ANGKOR  

Marvelous Cultural Patrimony For The Humanity

Cambodia is rich of historic sites, especially the remains of the Golden Age of Angkor whose temples are found mainly in Siem Reap, about 314 km North-West of Phnom Penh. 

Siem Reap is a bustling tourist attraction due to its proximity to tha Angkor Temple Complex, the world's largest religious monument. This huge compound of palaces and temples was built on the sprawling alluvial plain to the North of the Tonle Sap.Besides the temple complex, the floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake is definitely worth a visit. Siem reap is a thriving tourist destination whose hotels enjoy high occupancy rates.  

Angkor was the biggest city in South East Asia during the 9^th - 12^th century, comprising numerous monuments out of comparison. The Angkor temples were built by fine Khmer architecture, naturalistic, complicated and full of symbolism. Hidden in the forest, they are embalmed by the perfume of the Krovan and Rumduol flowers and made lively by the lugubrious song of cicadas. The time spend to see  the temples is unlimited.

Angkor Wat, a marvellous temple, the most well known all around the world, was built in the beginning of the 12^th century. Its magnificent five  towers in the form of lotus bud rise majestically, and are used as emblem in Cambodia flag. The architecture and bas-relief of the temple symbolize the wealth, prosperity and engineering of Khmer people, and the zenith of Khmer culture.

Bayon is just in the center of Angkor Thom, the city erected by jayavarman VII at the  end of the 12^th century. The main tower and the fifty surrounded others are all ordained by the four  mystic and smiling faces of Avalokitecvara, staring at four points of the compass.

Banteay Srei (Female Citadel), about 30 km north of the Siem reap, was built in the second half of the 10^th century, dedicated to Shiva. The beauty of the red sandstone bas-reliefs is very wonderful.

Other multiple impressive temples on the Small Circuit and the Grand Circuit need also to be visited, like the pyramidal sanctuary Takeo dedicated to Shava, Bakheng the heart of the first Angkor, Pre Rub in brick on a pyramidal tiers, Ta Prohm invaded by the forest, preah Khan...