Angkor Wat |
Angkor Tom |
Tonle Sap and Kobal Spien |
Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei |
The region know as Angkor is bordered by Tonle Sap Lake to the south, and the Kulen Hills to the north. The town of Siem Reap is just south of the archaeological site, and it is here that there are accomodations for visitors. Siem Reap has a very laid back, rural feel to it. This will surely change, as there are maybe a dozen or more large hotels now under construction.
The ruins of Angkor were built by the Khmer people from the early 9th century to the mid 15th century. Jayavarman was the founder of Angkor in about 802. The area was repeatedly attacked by the Thais, and the Khmers shifted their capital to Phnom Penh in 1432.
Much of the construction in Angkor is of sandstone that is elaborately carved in bas reliefs and surrounded by statuary. The typical temple is surrounded by a moat and walls. Four enterances face the cardinal directions and a causeway leads to a temple mountain with towers.
Sadely, not only time and nature have ravaged the sites, but scars from looting of art and signs of the civil war in the 70's are appearant.
