The magnificent temple ruins of Angkor are located near Siem Reap, and are one of the great ancient wonders of the world. Angkor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Cambodia is an easy add-on excursion to any trip you’re already taking to SE Asia. Below are some of my favorite reasons I loved Cambodia, and why I hope to go back again someday.
- Temples. Everywhere. Angkor was a city. A very large city. Angkor Wat is the largest religious building in the world, and is one of the most impressive structures I’ve ever seen. I was in Cambodia for three full days, and managed to see Ta Prohm, the Bayon Temple, Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King, Srah Srang, Preah Khan, the Angkor Complex, Rolous Group, and Beng Mealea. I also managed a nap every day to be in the air condition during the high heat afternoons. Temples are literally everywhere, and it does take some forward planning to know what you want to see. There are also ruins that are further out from the main complex, and taking a guide is recommended for these both for transportation purposes but also because Cambodia still has many active land mines in the jungle, so knowing where to venture, and where not to, is of high importance. I hope to get back to Cambodia one day to visit these outlying ruins that are more off the beaten path.
- Smiling Faces. Whether it’s the faces carved into the temple structures, or the smiling faces of the Cambodian people, there are smiles greeting you every where you turn. The Cambodian people are some of the happiest people I’ve ever encountered on travels, and the Bayon Temple, located in Angkor Thom, boasts 54 towers carved with mysterious, captivating faces. It was one of the most incredible structures I’ve ever wandered around and I even visited it twice during my short stay.
- Architectural Detail and Carvings. The bas-relief carvings on the gallery walls and the details in the structures are almost overwhelming. They are so intricately designed, beautifully preserved, and amazing to see. The stone carvings cover almost all of the inner walls of Angkor Wat as well as many other structures, and are graphically illustrated, providing a window into another time and place.
- The Food. Amok or Curry, anyone? Simply delicious!
- Sunrises and Sunsets at the Ruins. Sunrise views require super early wake-up times, but it’s entirely worth it. The morning I visited Ta Prohm, I was up at 4:45a and had the temple complex nearly all to myself to explore the intricacies of the temple being swallowed by the trees and roots. Sunrise over Srah Srang required a 4:20a wake up. Just plan to be tired and catch up on sleep once you’re home. Getting up early for the sunrise over or near a temple is an incredible experience, as is going out for sunset views of Angkor Wat.
- Nature and Man Co-Existing Together. Even though the temples were built out of stone, over time, nature still manages to take back what once was its space. Ta Prohm is a perfect example of this, where the tree roots are slowly creeping into the stones, dominating the man-made structures and making it impossible for one to exist without the other. In the end, the jungle will win. Buddhist monks are also seen throughout Cambodia, in their bright orange attire and peaceful demeanor, happily existing in their environment, reminding us to breathe, slow down, and be in the present moment.
Bonus reason to love Siem Reap: Theam’s House. Read more about it here.
What about you? What are your reasons for loving Cambodia?
Sunflowers and Fog 