Attractions
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Ruins of Angkor Wat
The temple city near the city of Siem Reap from the years 850 – 1110 AD was, before it was rediscovered for tourism, overgrown for years by the jungle. At its heyday about 1 million inhabitants lived in the approximately 200 km ² large area. The common people lived in wooden buildings, of which there are no remains today.
You can see a large number of stone temples from different eras.
The temples also served as a deposit for rice produced in the surrounding area. Agriculture was so prolific because of its sophisticated irrigation technology that it became the basis of the city’s wealth. The predecessor city in the north of the country had its wealth due to trade.
Around 1430, the city was abandoned and the Thais from Ayuttaya moved from the west into the area of Angkor.
A new capital was founded in the southwest near today’s capital Phnom Penh.
To visit the extensive area you should definitely plan several days!
For film fans, it should be mentioned that the temple city is the backdrop to the anti-war film "Apocalypse Now" by Francis Ford Coppola (born 1939) and served with Marlon Brando (1924 – 2004) from 1979.
The plant was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992
Temple Preah Vihear
The location of the temple complex is spectacular. It is located on a 500 m high rock and therefore offers impressive views of the plain. The construction of the complex began in the 9th century.
This temple complex – located in the north of Cambodia on the border with Thailand – was awarded in 1962 by the International Court of Justice in The Hague Cambodia, although Thailand had claimed claims. In February 2011, there was a 4.6 km² area around the temple to shootings between the Cambodian and Thai military – with about 10 dead.
The temple was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008
Religious buildings, temples
The temples of Angkor
Angkor Wat is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-storey pyramid topped by five beehive-like towers measuring 65 meters from the ground.
Angkor Wat is the center of every visit to the temple complex.
Suryavarman II constructed it in the form of a massive temple mountain and dedicated it to the Hindu god Vishnu. It served as a state temple, although the temple’s unusual Western orientation led many to believe it was built as the king’s funeral temple. The complex was built in the early and mid-twelfth centuries. as a temple complex
Angkor Wat is surrounded by an outer wall measuring 1,300 x 1,300 meters. The temple itself is about 1 square km in size and consists of three floors, which are held by a central tower. The wall of the temple is covered inside and out with bas-reliefs and carvings.
The reliefs of the lower-level outer wall depict stories and characters from Hindu mythology and Suryavarman II’s historic war. The central tower contains four Buddha figures on the third floor, each looking in different directions, showing that, though Angkor Wat as Hindu temple, he had later served as a Buddhist temple, for Theravada Buddhism became Cambodia’s dominant religion in the 14th century.
Bakong
Bakong is 15 m high and 650 x 850 m on the outer wall. The Hindu temple was constructed in the late 9th century by the third Angkor king Indravarman I. () as a state temple.
Bakong shows that stones were used instead of bricks very early on. Although it was begun by Indravarman I, the temple received additions and was expanded by later kings. The upper area and the tower may have been built in the 12th century. The temple is also embedded in picturesque vegetation.
Bayon
Probably the most amazing temple after Angkor Wat is Bayon, with its gigantic stone faces that made it world famous. He is an indescribable work of classical Khmer art and architecture. Bayon was the Buddhist state temple of Jayavarman VII and in many ways it represents the apex of its massive construction. The complex was built in the late 12th century
The temple complex has 37 towers, most with four faces. Whom they are supposed to represent is not fully understood, probably Loksvara, the Boshisattva of Mahayana Buddhism, or perhaps a combination of Buddha and Jayavarman VII.
The most beautiful thing about the temple is probably the bas-reliefs on the outer wall of the low floor, which show scenes from daily life during a naval battle against the Cham, and the upper floor, where the faces are. Worth seeing are also the unfinished carvings on the other walls. They probably represent the death of Jayavarman VII and the subsequent end of his construction activity.
Some of the reliefs on the inner walls were later made under the Hindu King Jayavarman VIII.
Neak Pean
late 12th century
Buddhism
Jayavarman VII.
When it was constructed, this small island temple was located in the middle part of the area, most recently built by a Khmer king in the Angkor area.
At the time of its construction, it was called Rajasri. His later name means "winding snakes", which goes back to the Nagas who surrounded the temple.
Opposite the temple is the statue of the horse Balaha, which was supposed to protect drowning mariners. Neak Pean has probably served forgiveness, and the water was believed to have healing powers.
Ta Som
This 4.5-hectare temple complex is located in the archaeological park of Angkor Wat. The complex was built between 1190 and 1210 under Jayavarman VII (1162-1220). Under Indravarman II (11871243) the plant was extended.
The temple is a typical flat temple and was built from the typical for the local buildings of the Khmer laterite seals and sandstone.
Laterite tiles are bricks made from weathered surface rocks that resemble bauxite.
Phnom Kulen
At this point in the 9th century began under Jayavarman II () the 500-year-long age of Angkor.
Phnom Kulen is the mountain on which Jayavarman II initiated a royal cult in the year 802.
He thus declared a united and independent Cambodia under one ruler. Soon after, he moved his capital from Kulen to Roluos, where she would stay for almost a century before being relocated to the Angkor area.
Unfortunately, the temple is just over 50 km from Siem Reap, so you should plan at least half a day for the visit.
There is also a separate entrance fee for Phnom Kulen.
Preah Palilay
This relatively small Buddhist temple is located approximately 1 km north of the Angkor Wat temple complex in the ancient and last capital of the Angkor Empire – Anghor Tom.
The plant probably dates from the first half of the 12th century. Striking in the approximately 50 by 50 m large system is the temple tower, de stands on a 6 m high three-stage base.
The tower has a footprint of only 5 by 5 meters and has an entrance door in all four directions. The temple complex is surrounded by a laterite wall.
Ta Keo
This temple mountain is dedicated to the Hinugott Shiva. In his day he was called "Mountain with the golden peaks" known.
The first temple was completely constructed of sandstone as its state temple by Jayavarman V. () in the late 1st and early 11th century.
Unlike the previous kings, he built Ta Keo outside of its capital city.
Many of the Angkor temples have remained partly unfinished, but in the case of Ta Keo, the construction works seemed to have been halted, v. A. in the early phase of the edification, because there are very few carvings.
Ta Prohm (Jungle Temple)
This Buddhist temple complex dates from the mid-12th and early 13th centuries. So far, it has only been partially freed from the jungle that overcame it.
Partly, however, the temple was deliberately left in its original state. As a result, massive silkwool and fig trees grow from the towers and corridors, providing a fantastic sight.
Parrots fly from tree to tree and contribute to an indescribable jungle atmosphere. Its dark corridors and open spaces are also
a wonderful experience.
Ta Prohm was one of Jayavarman VII’s () first major temple projects. It was dedicated to the king’s mother and was actually constructed as a Buddhist monastery.
Beng Mealea
The temple, almost equal in size to Angkor Wat, was built in the 12th century AD under Suryavarman II (1112-52). The temple complex is about 80 km from Siem Reap.
Preah Khan
The temple complex is located in the north of the country and is touristy not very developed and therefore difficult to reach.
Kbal Spean
The river is about 50 km northwest of Siem Reap. In the spectacular river bed in the jungle are a lot of reliefs of Hindu saints.
Koh Ker
The former 10th-century Jayvarman IV (928-942) capital is located in Preah Vihear Province, approximately 3 hours drive from Siem Reap.
Royal Palace in Phnom Penh
The rectangular palace, actually a complex of royal buildings, was built in 1866 by King Norodom and the residence of the Cambodian king, Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, and the Cambodian Queen Preah Reach Akka-Mohesey Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. Only in the years of the rule of the Khmer Rouge he was not available to the kings. The architects of this palace were Thais and French in addition to the Khmer.
If the king is absent, the palace can be visited by the public. Within the palace grounds are also the coronation hall, an open-air theater for the royal dance group and the balcony where the king presents himself to the public. Also on display are an open-air pavilion (the Moonlight Pavilion), which often serves to entertain the king, and the king’s private residence. The latter houses a collection of Cambodian artworks by artists from around the world. Also you should look at the royal office. The architecturally incompatible Pavilion Napoléon III. was a gift from the French Empress Eugenie from the 20th century.
Near the southeastern palace wall stands the House of the White Elephant, which traditionally serves special royal occasions such as births, weddings, and funerals. The high palace walls, which surround the entire palace complex and have several gates, represent the oldest part of the palace. They are covered with Khmer frescoes. The Silver Pagoda is also inside the complex.
Phnom Chnnork
Caves near Kampot. In one of the caves is a brick temple from the 7th century AD.
Cities and buildings
Battambang
Battambang, the administrative seat of the province, is located about 290 km northwest of Phnom Penh and is not far from the Thai border. Together with Siem Reap, the province was for years under the control of the Thais and was ceded in 1907 at the urging of the French back to Cambodia.
Due to its geographical location, the city is excellently suited for growing rice, vegetables and fruits, making the Battambang region the country’s new agricultural center and thus not only economically growing, but also attracting many new residents to the province .
Today, Battambang has about 180,000 inhabitants.
The city is also known for its delightful French Colonial architecture, whose flair will captivate everyone as it strolls through the town’s small, dreamy streets or along the Sangkae Riverside.
Those who reside in the region around Battambang, should not miss a ride on the traditional bamboo railway, the so-called Nory. But numerous temples, wine tastings and the world famous Battambang Circus are wonderful attractions.
Koh Ker
The former 10th-century Jayvarman IV (928-942) capital is located in Preah Vihear Province, approximately 3 hours drive from Siem Reap.
Sambor Prei Kuk
The city was capital in the 7th century, about 100 temples are scattered today in the jungle. The facility is located in the present-day Kompong Thom province.
Sihanoukville
The city of Sihanoukville, also known as Kampong Saom, is located on the Gulf of Thailand and is located about 160 km southwest of the capital, Phnom Penh. With just under 200,000 inhabitants, it is one of the largest cities in Cambodia and is increasingly becoming an economic pillar of the country. This is particularly due to their paradisiacal location, which has made Sihanoukville a popular destination for tourists, who on the one hand have plenty of mass tourism from Thailand, but do not want to renounce white sand beaches, traditional food and the benefits of life. Among other things, the city is known for its excessive nightlife, which, however, also made them attractive for smuggling, prostitution and gambling. Furthermore, Sihanoukville is an important starting point for the industry in the country, as the large port there generates imports and exports for Cambodia and the country around 1960 finally secured its long-awaited economic decoupling from neighboring Vietnam. Sihanoukville is not only accessible by land or water, but also by plane. The local airport is located in the province of the same name, about 18 km from the city of Sihanoukville.
Western Baray of Ankir
The historic site, measuring 8 km by 2.3 km, was artificially landscaped to provide water to the people of Angkor Wat. The population of the city amounted to its heyday up to 1 million inhabitants.
Related Posts
-
Scotland: points of interest, countries, scotland, goruma
Scotland: sights Regions and landscapes Lowlands The Lowlands is the rolling, rolling lowland south of the big cities, which consists of Ayrshire,…
-
Landmarks, countries, iran, goruma
Attractions Cities and cultural sites Isfahan The Iranian city of Isfahan is the third largest city in the Islamic Republic of Iran – after Tehran and…
-
Nigeria: points of interest, countries, nigeria, goruma
Nigeria: sights UNESCO World Heritage Sites Cultural landscape of Sukur Sukur is an ancient cultural landscape in Madagali in the state of Adamawa in…
-
Topsoil »costs, price factors and savings
Topsoil: What are the costs?? If you need topsoil for your garden or land, you have several options for getting this precious earth. The costs that are…