Five towers
Lotus buds.
User:Gisling — CC BY-SA 3.0 · User:Gisling — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jorge Láscar from Australia — CC BY 2.0 · Jorge Láscar from Australia — CC BY 2.0
The largest religious complex in the world, built between 1113 and 1150 under the Khmer king Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple to Vishnu, then gradually turned into a Buddhist temple from the late 13th century; monks still worship here today. It covers about 162 hectares inside a broad moat. The temple rises on three stepped terraces crowned by five lotus-bud towers, now the symbol of Cambodia and shown on its flag. Hundreds of metres of bas-reliefs run along the outer gallery, telling the old Indian epics and the king's processions and armies, the best known being the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Unlike most Angkor temples it faces west, so visitors arrive before dawn to watch the sun rise behind the towers, mirrored in the north pond in front of the entrance. The steep upper level has a stricter dress code and closes on some religious holidays. Entry is with the Angkor Pass: USD 37 for one day, USD 62 for three days within ten, and USD 72 for seven days within a month; children under 12 go free with a passport. Temples are living places of worship: cover shoulders and knees, remove your hat where asked and keep off roped-off stones. The heat is fierce most of the year, so carry water and start early.
Lotus buds.
Mirrored in the pond.
Hundreds of metres.
Angkor Archaeological Park, about 6 km north of Siem Reap
The temple opens at 05:00; the best spot is the north pond in front of the west entrance, finest between November and March.
USD 37 for one day, USD 62 for three and USD 72 for seven; it covers most temples in the park.
