For centuries, the temple was hidden by the jungle, and it was only in 1861 that a French explorer revealed it to the world. Later, an article about the discovery was published, but the explorer himself did not live to see its publication — he died in Laos from swamp fever.
The impressions from the stories about Angkor Wat inspired Rudyard Kipling to write that very Jungle Book.
The temple was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II. Religious rites dedicated to Vishnu were performed there. Around it stood a city where a civilization of people lived who endured prolonged periods of drought. And in the 15th century, due to an imperfect water supply system, the civilization completely collapsed. The people abandoned the area.
I'm attaching a photo of the monument, but it's impossible to convey its true grandeur — especially since I didn't know at the time that I should have wiped the camera lens.
Before visiting the complex, keep in mind that tickets are purchased in advance in the city center of Siem Reap, not at the entrance to the complex. A whole building resembling a train station has been built for ticket sales. There are many ticket booths, and you can choose a "plan" — either one day or several days. This is because the complex's territory is enormous, and it's impossible to see all the temples and structures in a single day. Our one-day tickets for two people cost 80$.
Cambodians, by the way, are entitled to free entry. We also heard about the possibility of bypassing security and sneaking into the territory without paying, but that's a gamble: the area is surrounded by jungles and bodies of water, and there's a risk you simply won't make it through.
To get to the complex, we rented bicycles — an inexpensive alternative to a taxi. At the entrance, you can park the bike using a bicycle lock.
We didn't walk around the entire territory — we only visited the most popular spots. It was scorching hot outside, and the distances between the structures were quite considerable — several kilometers. Remember, our bikes were left at the parking lot, since you can't take them with you inside. On the plus side, you can buy water right on the monument grounds.
If you're interested in ancient inscriptions, the temple walls are covered with depictions of battles and religious scenes. Deciphering and describing them is a whole separate topic for discussion.
Next, we set off on our bikes toward another structure, about 5 kilometers away. This is the very place where the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was shot. I'm sure getting a photo like that is a dream for any young Lara Croft. In this location, what really impresses are the massive trees growing right through the buildings.
Angkor Wat left us with unforgettable impressions — we literally touched history and an ancient civilization. If you ever find yourself in Cambodia, be sure to visit this landmark in its entirety!
Stay with a verified local host family and learn the language through everyday life.
