Welcome to ANGKOR THAN CITY "Lodging & Tearoom" 
Is a charming hotel located infront of the Siem Reap river in a charming colonial style building decorated with traditional Cambodia furniture.

Please note that there are many ruins around Angkor. These are the ones of most interest to the visitor.

Angkor Wat (1113-1150)

Angkor Wat is the most famous Angkor temple and deservedly so. The three-tiered structure consisting of five 65m high towers is visually, architecturally and artistically stunning. Constructed during one of the most prosperous periods of the Angkor Kingdom in the 12th century by King Suryavarman-II, it was dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god, and was used as a state temple (although some believe that it was also built as a funeral temple for King Suryavarman-II).

What is certain is that it is the largest stone temple in the world and took more than 30 years to build using thousands of elephants and hundreds of thousands of people. The main material used for the construction of the temple was sandstone, which was transported by elephants from the Kulen Mountain, some 47km away from the site. The whole temple complex is 1500x1300m in size, and surrounded by four defensive walls and a large moat covering 200 hectares. The whole temple and moat spreads over 2 square km.

The main point of entry is from the western gate. Across the moat is a 200m long path, which has two stone Nagas (mythological, multi-headed snake/serpents) adorning each side. When the path ends, you reach a porch. Inside it, there are two chapels built to worship Vishnu. After this, two aisles lead to two gates called the ‘Entrance of the Elephants’. Following this, there is another 350m path (with ponds and libraries on either side of it), which leads to the main temple. It’s a good idea to head to one of the ponds on either side of the path just before sunrise because it’s the best location to take a picture of the temple at that time.

Before entering into the main temple area, there is a terrace. In the middle of it is an elevation, which could have been the location of the King’s throne during state functions. Court was held in the lower levels. At this point, you can also see central doors and pavilions leading to the first floor of the structure. Ordinary people were probably not allowed beyond this point. In the first tier, there are bas-reliefs depicting stories about Vishnu. The second level is only entered into via its four corners and was given exclusively to priests retiring to meditate.

The final level is accessed via a stone archway. Only the kings and high priests would of been allowed to enter. Two libraries are also on this level. At this stage, the visitor can see a central sanctuary surrounded by four towers that are joined by arched alleyways. This layout was mimicked many times in proceeding Khmer temples.

Angkor Thom (1190-1210)

Angkor Thom (the Great City) was once one of the most modern cities in the world. It was 3km long on each side and had a 100m moat surrounding it (which vegetation now covers). Jayavarman VII built the complex on top of the ruins of an old one which was once controlled by Undayadityavarman II (1050-1066). At its peak, Angkor Thom had a population of around one million (only 30,000 lived in London during the same period) and was the capital of a self-sufficient civilization rich in natural resources and unique construction techniques. Its extensive and ingenious irrigation system was able to harvest rice three to four times a year (rice yields reached 150,000 metric tons within an area of 1000 square km). This was sufficient to feed 800,000 of its inhabitants while still leaving 40 per cent for other areas throughout the Kingdom. It was this rice cultivation that enabled the Angkor civilization to thrive. The Bayon temple stood right in the centre of Angkor Thom and the city handily includes many important temples which can be visited quickly. The access gates of Angkor Thom are worth stopping to look at (although the sculpted deities that guard each gate have greatly suffered from looting and most of the heads have been lost forever).

Bantey Kdei or The Citadel of the Cells (1186)

Bantey Kdei was a religious monastery. It boasts a terrace that leads to two courtyards. In the centre of them are square pillars, which are similar in design to the ones seen in Ta Prohm and Preah Khan.

Banteay Srey, the Citadel of Women (967)

This temple was constructed by Rajendravarman and was unsafe to visit until the Khmer Rouge finally capitulated in 1998. It’s a 30-minute drive to reach Banteay Srey but it’s worth the additional time and money you’ll have to pay your driver to get there. Made of pink sandstone, it is very finely sculpted. Best to combine Banteay Srey on a half-day trip with Kbal Spean (which is further up the road) or as a full day excursion to both places and Mount Kulen. There’s also some great countryside scenery along the way. Check out the scarecrows outside the village huts, which are apparently there to frighten off evil sprits!

Bayon (1190)

This is probably the second biggest temple highlight behind Angkor Wat and was constructed by Jayavarman VII during his amazing building spree. The spectacular three-storey high mountain temple is made of sandstone and laterite, and is slap bang in the middle of Angkor Thom. There are 37 standing towers; most of which have giant sculpted faces (used for the Bayon Pearnik logo!), and are one of the most recognized images of Khmer art and architecture. The faces look to the four cardinal points, and might be a combination of Buddha and Jayavarman VII observing and protecting the entire nation in divine states. Although Bayon is best remembered for its faces, the temple also has some wonderful bas-reliefs depicting everyday life which are interspersed between sea battle scenes between the Angkor and Cham Kingdoms in the 12th century. The reliefs are located on the exterior walls of the lower level and on the upper tier where the stone faces stand. Additionally, there are unfinished carvings on the inner walls, which may have remained uncompleted due to the death of Jayavarman VII and, consequently, his building spree. At its peak, Bayon was Jayavarman VII’s state temple and was the pinnacle of his huge building campaign.

Baphuon (1190)

Baphuon is an immense temple-mountain in the very heart of Angkor Thom. Largely collapsed and in a ruined condition, it is presently undergoing extensive renovation which follows-on from work left unfinished in 1974 due to the rise of the Khmer Rouge. Restoration began again in 1995 and should be completed soon. At the time of writing, only the gate and walkway area is open. Both the animal carvings near the walkway entrance and the large reclining Buddha on the west side were made at a much later period.

Beng Mealea (11th century)

If you decide to buy a weeklong pass and would like to visit an Angkor relic which isn’t visited by many tourists, then a trip to Beng Mealea is worth the effort. Situated 60km away from Siem Reap, the journey takes over three hours and, due to the very poor roads, is not for the faint hearted. In fact, this site was only safe to visit in 2002 following extensive de-mining. However, the scenery is special and you do feel like your doing something completely different. The Hindu temple was built by Suryavarman II and covered 108 hectares. Due to the ravages of time, a considerable amount of the temple lies buried beneath jungle vegetation.

Chau Say Tevoda & Thommanon (1150)

These two small temples are found opposite each other and it doesn’t take too long to see them. Both were built under Udayadityarvarman. The Thommanon temple was dedicated to Vishnu (the protector) while its companion was built to honour Shiva (the destroyer). Both are primary gods of the Hindu trinity and central to the royal linga-worshipping cult.

Eastern Mebon & Eastern Baray (952)

This ruin, built by Rajendravarman II and dedicated to his parents, is a three-story high red mountain-temple which has two towers at its centre. Watch out for the impressive sandstone elephants inside the temple and try and visit the ruin at sunset as its red colouring offers some great photo opportunities. The temple was formally located in the middle of a large baray (reservoir) that has now given way to rice fields. The lintels (sandstone block above doorways and windows) of the towers are intricately carved. The eastern temple is one of the last to be made of bricks.

Kbal Spean (11 - 12th century)

Kbal Spean (or The River of a 1000 Lingas) is a 1-hour drive from Siem Reap and is on the same road to Banteay Srey. The sacred river site, which requires a 30-minute jungle walk to reach, wasn’t discovered until 1968. At one time, the river was used to irrigate Angkorian rice fields and fill-up the Eastern Baray (reservoir). The lingas (a symbol representing the Hindu god Shiva) and bas-reliefs visible in the riverbed were made to spiritually fertilize the water. Unfortunately, some of the carvings have recently suffered from looting. In all honesty, Kbal Spean isn’t particularly exciting but is still worth the trip as the journey there is a great opportunity to check out some Cambodian countryside life. Best combined with a trip to Banteay Srey.

Kulen Mountains (9th century)

This site is of great historic importance. It is where Jayavarman II in 802 established his god king status and declared himself the single ruler of a unified Cambodia. In short, the 500-year age of the Angkor Empire had begun. Be that as it may, it is a matter of some debate as to whether it is worth the additional $20 required to access the site and so it’s probably not worth visiting unless you’re a temple enthusiast. Having said that, if you do decide to visit, you will be rewarded with some pretty waterfalls and hundreds of lingas (a symbol representing the Hindu god Shiva), and the 45km two-hour journey from Siem Reap is enjoyable.

Neak Pean (1190-1210)

It is generally thought that the central Prasat (tower) of Neak Pean (meaning coiled serpents) represents Mount Meru surrounded by four Oceans. The central basin of Neak Pean would have had four islands; only one (represented by the horse Balaha) still exists today. It might well of been thought in times past that the waters of Neak Pean had healing powers. The temple provides some great photo opportunities in the wet season when all the pools are full.

Phimeanakas (1000 - 1025)

Phimeanakas (Celestial Palace) consists of three levels made from sandstone and laterite. It is the tallest temple in Angkor Thom. According to legend, there was a golden tower at the centre of the temple inhabited by a serpent which the king would meet each night. The serpent would then turn into a woman and the king would be required to make love to her every night. If he didn’t, he and his kingdom would suffer great misfortune!

Phnom Bakeng (9 - 10th century)

Phnom Bakeng is a very popular place to watch the sunset and its not surprising as it has some great views of the jungle, Tonle Sap Lake and Angkor Wat. However, its popularity has been its downfall as there are often too many people there to enjoy the experience properly. Elephant rides are available at this location in the evening. The site was once used as an observation post for the Cambodian army and this has had a detrimental effect to the temples condition. It is a natural stone mountain and was constructed in the 10th century by Jacovarman I. In fact, this temple was the first built in the Angkor complex following the kingdoms move from Roluos towards the end of the 9th century. In its day, it was the centre of the new capital city and would of served as a state temple for Jacovarman I. The foundations of the temple were built from existing rock in the ground.

Pre Rup (961)

Pre Rup was constructed by King Rajendravarman II and may have been used for cremations (although others argue that it was in fact the state temple for Rajendravarman). The mountain temple has three levels and 17 brick towers. If you’re short of time, this temple can be adequately observed from the road, as there’s nothing of great interest inside it.

Preah Khan (1191)

Constructed by the great temple builder King Jayaverman VII and dedicated to his father (Ta Prom was in honour of his mother), Peah Khan, meaning sacred sword, is one of the ‘must see’ temples around the complex. Tradition has it that the temple was built on the site where the King secured a crucial victory against the Chams. The temple is surrounded by a moat and encompasses an area of 800mx700m. The main temple area is wonderfully decorated with lintels, panels and bas-reliefs chronicling Buddhist stories (which were later vandalised after a resurgence of Hinduism and often crudely carved over with Hindu images). Preah Khan was once a 56-hectare royal city and used as the residence of King Jayaverman while Angkor Thom was being reconstructed. At one time, it also served as a Buddhist monastery for 1000 monks. Be sure to check out the unique two columned building at the southwest corner of the temple which may well of been used for human sacrifices.

The Roluos Group (850-893)

Roluos, situated 13km east of Siem Reap, is the site where the first Angkor king, Jayavarman II, finally decided to set up his capital (three other sites were previously used). There are three temples (Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko) built of brick and stone. The three ruins are in pretty good states and the bas-reliefs found within the temples are fine early examples of Khmer art. Preah Ko was constructed in 879 by Indravarman I and is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Bakong was built only a year after Preah Ko and served as the main temple of Roluos. It was completely restored after its rediscovery in 1936. It is reckoned that 7,000 people once lived around Bakong during the time of Indravarman I. Lolei, built in 893 by King Yasovarman I to celebrate the life of Indravarman I, is positioned within the middle of a now dried-up artificial lake.

Ta Prohm (1186)

Along with Angkor Wat, Bayon and Preah Khan, Ta Prohm is a ‘must see’ temple which manages to satisfy the perceptions that most visitors have of Angkor before they arrive. It has been left almost as the French explorers discovered it in the 19th century. It has been left almost as the French explorers discovered it in the 19th century. For this reason, giant Banyan trees can be seen crawling on many parts of the temple offering some spectacular photo opportunities. However, the destruction wrought by the trees is slowly causing the destruction of Ta Prohm and there is a campaign to do something about it before its too late. Jayavarman VII constructed the temple in honour of his mother (his father received Preah Khan). Over 70,000 people once lived in and around the Ta Prohm temple. An inscription within the ruin reveals that there were 102 hospitals throughout the Angkor empire when Jayavarment VII reigned.

Ta Som (1190 - 1210)

Built by Jayavarman, Ta Som has towers similar to Ta Prohm although much smaller. A massive tree grows form the east gopura (an entrance-way in the wall that surrounds a temple) which is destroying the gate. However, this does provide the visitor with a great photo opportunity. The Khmer Rouge once used the temple as a hospital.

Terrace of the Elephants (1190 - 1210)

The two and a half metre tall wall with carved elephants was once in the heart of Angkor Thom (in front of Baphoun), and is yet another construction of Jayavarman VII. It was extended by his successor.

Terrace of the Leper King (1190 - 1210)

The Terrace of the Leper King is a double terrace found at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants and was once again built by King Jayavarman VII during his temple building frenzy. It boasts intricate carvings of nagas (mythological, multi-headed snake/serpents). It is given its strange name thanks to a statue of a leper king on display there (this is actually a fake, the real one is on display at the National Museum in Phnom Penh). However, although there are several theories, no one really knows why the statue was actually called the ‘Leper King’ when it was found or what its creators were trying to represent.