Angkor Wat in Photos
One of the sights I was most excited about seeing on my trip was Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Angkor Wat is really just one temple in a huge complex of temples, but it’s the most famous one. So after spending a few days in Phnom Penh, I booked a mini van shuttle to Siem Reap and booked a room at Mother Home Guesthouse for a few nights. (This turned out to be one of the best places I’ve stayed on my entire trip, and it was nice hotel at hostel prices.) The temple complex is one of those places where I just couldn’t stop taking pictures, so I thought I’d share some of them with you here.
I booked a three day ticket to the temples, and I think that was a good amount of time. I highly recommend getting to Angkor Wat super early at least one morning to see the sunrise. It’s truly amazing.
Having a tuk-tuk drive me around to see a bunch of different temples and other parts of the complex was really worth it. Some temples are really popular while others hardly have any other tourists. Some are in good condition while others are really crumbling. But the whole place is fascinating. And huge. You’ll never get to everything, but that’s ok.
You might also enjoy:
- How Much We Spent Traveling in Southeast Asia for Two Months
- How Much We Spent Traveling in Thailand
- How Much We Spent Traveling in Cambodia
December 18, 2011 @ 8:14 PM
Those first two sunrise photos are fabulous! I also love the one of the monks. This is definitely one spot high up on my bucket list!
December 18, 2011 @ 11:25 PM
Thanks Amanda! It’s definitely worth being that high on your list!
December 18, 2011 @ 9:20 PM
Oh wow these are some great photos. I like them alot. My fav are the 2nd one and last one! Oh this place seems so photogenic… can’t wait to visit.
December 18, 2011 @ 11:26 PM
Thanks Jaime! You’ll love it there!
December 19, 2011 @ 9:22 AM
Although I’ve never been to Angkor Wat I have seen footage of it on a documentary I have called Journeys Through Buddhism. It’s absolutely stunning and to be honest with you, no amount of still photographs really do the place justice. There is so much history, so much to see and explore. It ranks as one of if not the best example of Buddhist architecture anywhere in the world.
I am curious though how you get there. Are there any direct flights to Siem Riep, Cambodia, say from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur? Or is bus from Phnom Penh the only way to get there? And what was the feeling you had after seeing this beautiful place in the flesh?
I have to admit to being slightly jealous of you 🙂 You’ve seen both Borabodur and Angkor Wat. Now you have to go to Rangoon,Burma and see the Shwedagon Pagoda.
December 19, 2011 @ 9:44 AM
It might be a while before I get to Burma! The feeling I had after seeing Angkor Wat….amazed at how huge it is, in awe of how beautiful it is…hard to describe in words, and you’re right, the pictures don’t do it justice. And there are so many other temples besides Angkor Wat, you could spend weeks exploring it all. Although I thought 3 days was plenty.
AirAsia has flights from Kuala Lumpur, and JetStar has flights from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. I’m sure there are others too, worth checking some of the bigger Asian airlines from Bangkok or Vietnam.
Thanks again for reading, Matthew!
December 19, 2011 @ 3:44 PM
I *love* the reflections in the water! I actually can’t decide which one I like better 🙂
December 19, 2011 @ 11:19 PM
Thanks Heather! I took almost 200 photos of just Angkor Wat at sunrise, so picking a few to go up here was near impossible!
December 19, 2011 @ 6:35 PM
Gorgeous photos! I can’t believe we went all over SE Asia and never made time to see this.
December 19, 2011 @ 11:21 PM
Thanks Christy! I guess you’ll have to put it on your list for next time, it’s totally worth it!
December 20, 2011 @ 3:07 AM
Ali, I love these photos. This is one of my favourite places I have visited. I am back next year to take a group of house building charity nuts there after a stint in Phnom Penh. Can not wait…. keep up the great work…haha I said work, I meant travel/photography/making me jealous 🙂
December 20, 2011 @ 5:23 AM
Thanks Mitch! I really enjoyed being there too. Good luck on your trip next year, sounds great!
December 20, 2011 @ 4:35 AM
What a beautiful place. I like the monk photo in particular. I can’t wait until we visit next year.
December 20, 2011 @ 5:23 AM
Thanks Erin! You’ll enjoy it!
December 20, 2011 @ 2:57 PM
Gorgeous photos! Would love to visit this place
December 21, 2011 @ 12:05 PM
Thanks Andrea!
December 30, 2011 @ 4:09 AM
Man, I’ve GOT to get over there. This is super high on my to-do list right now. There’s just so much planet to see!
I really want to get in there and shoot it at night. Did you get the vibe at all that someone could pull that off? I know there are aparently signs everywhere saying that it was closed after dark, but it seems like in countries in Asia… there is always a way…
Dan
December 30, 2011 @ 6:22 AM
It honestly didn’t occur to me to try to photograph it at night, my camera isn’t good enough for most night shots. I’m sure there’s a way to get in if you want to, or maybe just stay until it gets dark. Make friends with a tuk-tuk driver and ask about it, I’m sure for a few extra bucks you can make it happen.
January 3, 2012 @ 9:46 PM
These are really great pictures Ali! Loving it! I can’t wait to see it – one day… hopefully next year? 😛
January 4, 2012 @ 6:31 AM
Thanks Erica! I hope you make it there next year, it’s a great place!