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    Temples of Angkor - the essentials

    / Last updated 19 May 2011

    Introduction

    The Temples of Angkor are overwhelmingly vast. In this gallery, we list our favourites including the big hitters such as Angkor Wat and the Bayon. We also include some beautiful, easily accessed but far less crowded temples.
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • A balloon ride is quite a good way to get some early perspective on 12th century Angkor Wat and the entire park.
    • My first Angkor sunrise in 1994. In those days, in the midst of the UN peace mission in Cambodia and with the Khmer Rouge still active in the nearby countryside, travellers to the temples were few and far between.
    • I'd suggest viewing the Angkor sunrise from the eastern side where there are few tourists and where the morning sun on the towers is spectacular.
    • Angkor Wat's detailed carvings are as dramatic as the vast scale of the complex.
    • Into battle - bas relief at Angkor Wat.
    • While there is plenty of evidence of damage to the beautiful carvings, what has survived war, looting and the ravages of nature is remarkable.

    • Angkor Thom's late 12th century southern gate. Angkor Thom is the extraordinary city created by King Jayavarman VII - the man behind the most stunning temples of Angkor.

    • Angkor Thom's southern gate.

    • The Bayon - perhaps Jayavarman VII's crowning achievement.

    • The Bayon's incredible detail is indiscernible from afar. On approach however, the beguiling faces begin to take shape.
    • Bayon Angkor

    • The incredible faces of the Bayon.

    • The Bayon is also home to some of the most beautiful apsara carvings.
    • The Bayon
    • The Bayon's bas reliefs are also some of the finest in the complex.

    • The jungle enmeshed ruins of Ta Prohm are a favourite with travellers. Jayavarman VII dedicated it to his mother.


    • Yes, it was Ta Prohm that enjoyed a momentary Angelina Jolie inspired glow in the 2001 film Tomb Raider.

       

    • Ta Prohm
    • Ta Prohm

    • 10th century Banteay Srei may one of the smallest of the temples in our essentials list - but it's also one of the most dramatic on account of its rich red tones and incredible carvings.

    • Banteay Srei

    • Banteay Srei

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