Angkor Thom Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

The Smile of 'Tomb Raider' - Ta Som Temple

Ta Som Temple is one of the main filming locations of the movie 'Tomb Raider'. The scene of the East Tower Gate entangled with ancient trees and the vivid goddess reliefs in the temple still leave a deep impression. There is an entrance on each side of the temple, which are cross-shaped stone tower gates. Each side of the stone tower is carved with a Buddha face, similar to the four-faced Buddha on the gate of the Royal City. Among them, the porch of the entrance on the east side is wrapped in huge tree roots, as if being swallowed, which is a major feature of Ta Som Temple. At the west entrance, you can see the figure carvings above the door hole. Some people guess that it is General Ta Som, that is, the temple built for General Ta Som.

Wonderful structure in da Kingdom of wonder

I was amazed by how large the trees were that provided the temple with its lovely scenery. #temple #siemreap

Bayon Style Temple

#bucketlistreboot Ta Som was built toward the end of the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. It is a Buddhist temple built in Bayon style dedicated to his father. Most visitors on the Grand Circuit Tour will visit here before or after Neak Pean or Pre Rup, 4 to 6 minutes drive either one. Ta Som is a single tower in the middle of the complex surroundings by three enclosing walls. The entry point in the east and west sides have four carved faces looking into each direction. You should try to visit Ta Som, because it has been wonderfully restorted and nearly every part of the temple is open to visitors.

It is a bit like the shrinking Tabu Cage Temple, and it is also one of the main shooting places of Tomb Raider. Basically everyone who comes to Angkor will mention the shooting of Tomb Raider, but I haven't seen this film so far, so I might consider taking a look during the summer vacation. I have already taken a personal touch on the ground, fearing that there will be a different feeling when watching a movie. Tatson Temple is relatively small, but the victory in the carving details is better. In Angkor, there must be beautiful eyes to discover the details. Otherwise, in your opinion these are just some stones. Then, why bother to go far, and walk under the scorching sun with more than forty degrees of high temperature.

The Best View Of Ta Prohm Temple

The Best View Of Ta Prohm Temple in SR #tripblazers #cambodia #siemreap #templeofheaven This was the most amazing temple complex in the Siem reap temple sites. Absolutely fascinating from the 600 year old trees and their fantastic root systems to the intricate carvings in the temple walls. This is where part of where the first tomb raider was filmed. If you have to choose only one temple to visit in Cambodia, this is it.

Forget it if you are wanting fun or entertainment, this one is not for you. What it is is a moving and compelling reminder that although war may be over, its' legacies remain. The amazing founder of this museum, Akira, was only about 5 years old when his parents were murdered by the Khmer Rouge. Brought up by the K R with all the violence and brutality of this slaughterous regime, Akira knew no other life, and became a child soldier , shooting weapons and planting mines. After the Vietnamese Army overthrew the KR, Akira fought on their side and later for the Cambodian Army before eventually working with the United Nations and learning how to defuse mines. He founded this museum and also residential care for orphaned and wounded children, entirely from voluntary funds. #givethanks #givethanks

Cambodia sunset tour

The tour guide was great and was offered by our hotel Lub d I recommend this place because it’s so nice the staff is good and the rooms are clean. I loved this moment the most besides the temples this was so beautiful and something I won’t ever forget.

Angkor Trip (Siem Reap Cambodia)

Its a 45mins plane travel from Bangkok to Cambodia Siem Reap☺️ we are enjoying the trip with a lot of excitement visiting temple and enjoying the street food in Cambodia.. #staycation #themepark #templelover

I recommend this market for those who are looking for local souvenirs with reasonable prices. You can find many options of local cloths, skirts and souvenirs with different price, you just need to bargain a lot. By the way their currency they are using is US Dollar. #happynewyear

Angkor's smile 😊

The Angkor Archaeological Park is the capital city ruins of the Angkor Dynasty in Cambodia, and it is also the world's largest religious temple complex. The existing relics mainly include the Angkor Thom (Great Angkor) and the Angkor Wat (Little Angkor). For hundreds of years, from being submerged to being discovered and restored, the ancient ruins have finally been presented to the world. The Angkor ruins have become a symbol of Cambodia and a world cultural heritage site. Shuttle between Angkor Wat and marvel at the Khmer architecture from the bottom of your heart. Every stone carving is so realistic and perfect, with smooth lines and vivid details. Their smiling faces are deeply imprinted in your mind. Angkor Night Market As a foodie, I never forget to eat wherever I go. Various fruits and insects 🪲 are delicious dishes that can be tasted. At first, I was a little scared to eat, but after eating for a while, I found the taste quite good. Beng Mealea, which means lotus pond, although now what is presented in front of us is a pile of rubble, difficult to restore to its original state; but we can still see the glorious moments of the Angkor dynasty from these ruins. 👍Most recommended: There are many ancient ruins in Angkor, with low local consumption. There are often many three-wheeled motorcycles with awnings parked outside the hotel🛺. They can seat 4 people and you can tour the city for 2💲/person. The locals are very simple and friendly, and will enthusiastically introduce the attractions to us in not very standard Chinese. Every time we arrive at a scenic spot, they will stop and ask if we need to get off and visit. It feels very good. You can try various fried insects, crispy, but if you have a weak stomach, don't eat too much.

Siem Reap is beautiful this time of year. Amazing sites day and night. #wintergetaway

The most epic sunrise of my life ☀️

Catching the sunrise at Angkor Wat is an absolute must-do. Picture the sky lighting up with incredible colors over those iconic temples – it’s like stepping into a dream. Sure, it means an early wake-up, but it’s beyond worth it for that serene, awe-inspiring moment. As the sun rises, Angkor Wat comes alive in a whole new light, literally. It’s peaceful, even with others around, because everyone’s just soaking in the beauty. After sunrise, the crowds and heat pick up, so you get to enjoy the magic in a cooler, quieter setting. That early alarm is a small price for a memory that sticks with you forever. It’s more than a sight; it’s an experience. #freehotelstay #Cambodia

The World's Largest Temple - Angkor Wat in Cambodia (Part 1)

Angkor Wat, also known as the Small Angkor (Angkor Wat), is located in a rectangular area within the small circuit. Don't be fooled by the word 'small' in its name; on the contrary, Angkor Wat is the largest temple in the world, measuring 1,500 meters in length and 1,300 meters in width, covering an area of about 200 hectares. Angkor Wat is considered a symbol of Cambodia and is also one of the earliest examples of Khmer architecture, witnessing the glorious era of the Khmer Empire. The name 'Angkor Wat' translates to 'Capital Temple' in the Khmer language, indicating its significance. In 1992, Cambodia was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and in 2007, it defeated more than fifty other candidates in the global vote for the New Seven Wonders, advancing to the final twenty-one. Construction of Angkor Wat began in 1113 and took a full 37 years to complete, with the effort of the entire nation at that time. Whether in design, layout, intricacy, or scale, it can rival any of the world's most outstanding architectural works and is one of the must-visit attractions in Angkor. The outer perimeter of Angkor Wat features a 5.7-kilometer-long moat that surrounds the Small Angkor, symbolizing the ocean around the land; the rectangular inner city part of Angkor Wat measures 1,500 meters by 1,300 meters, symbolizing the Himalayas; the temple's central area has five main towers representing the five sacred mountains of Hinduism, with the central and tallest tower standing at 65 meters, symbolizing Mount Meru, the center of the world. The tips of the towers represent heaven, the dwelling place of the deities; the five main towers are situated on top of a three-tiered rectangular gallery, stacked layer upon layer like a pyramid, symbolizing the elements of earth, water, and wind at the location of Mount Meru. Inside the temple, there are nearly two thousand Apsara carvings and a large number of carvings depicting Hindu mythological stories, none of which are identical, all are masterpieces of extraordinary craftsmanship. To visit Angkor Wat, one must first cross the moat, which is filled with water from the Siem Reap River. In addition to serving a defensive purpose, the moat was also used for irrigation during the dry season and flood relief during the rainy season. While crossing the moat, take a moment to notice the carvings on both sides of the bridge, which tell the Hindu creation myth of the churning of the Ocean of Milk. After crossing the moat, visitors reach the largest central western gate of the Small Angkor, which has five gates divided according to different ranks, and the middle gate was only accessible to the king at that time. Now, all tourists can pass through this gate and experience the feeling of being a king. It is worth mentioning that among the nearly two thousand Apsara carvings within Angkor Wat, only one has a slight smile with visible teeth, located near the western gate; visitors can try to find it if they have the chance (I didn't manage to find it). Exiting the western gate leads to a straight central causeway leading to the temple of Angkor, nearly 500 meters long and nearly 10 meters wide, very imposing. On both sides, there are libraries, a common feature in many temples of Angkor. Directly in front of the libraries are two pools, which were once used for bathing before worship by the people, and now the pool on the left has become the famous Lotus Pond for watching the sunrise. The Lotus Pond is always popular because the water perfectly reflects the temple's silhouette, a common image on Cambodian postcards, especially before sunrise each day, when this spot becomes a coveted location for photographers and tourists alike. In the next part, we will continue to introduce the main hall of Angkor Wat - the first, second, and third galleries, and we will also share tips for watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Please stay tuned.

You should visit Angkor Wat at least once in your lifetime, to witness the lost empire

One of the seven wonders of the world, Angkor Wat, Even if it's the second visit, it still feels incredibly mysterious Whether it's the tree hole where Zhou Muyun hides her secrets in 'In the Mood for Love', Or the mysterious East where the heroine of 'Tomb Raider' travels through time and space, The lost empire, a thousand years of shock at a glance. - Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia, usually has three regular tour routes: 'Small Circle', 'Big Circle', 'Outer Circle'. ✅Small Circle Small Circuit Tours Angkor Wat (Sunrise)➡️Thommanon➡️ChauSay Tevoda ➡️Takeo-Tablon Temple➡️Angkor Wat or Bakheng Mountain (Sunset). - ✅Big Circle Big/Grand Circuit Tours Royal Bath (Sunrise)➡️Banteay Kdei➡️Prasat Kravan➡️East Mebon➡️Ta Som➡️Neak Pean➡️Preah Khan. - ✅Outer Circle Out Side the Angkor Area Tours Banteay Samré➡️Queen's Palace➡️Kbal Spean➡️Beng Mealea➡️Roluos Group. - 🎫One-day ticket is $37 per person, three-day ticket is $62 per person (can visit any three days within a week), seven-day ticket is $72 per person (can visit any seven days within a month); children under 12 and Cambodian residents are free. - 🛺You can rent a car for sightseeing, or choose to ride, tutu car is very cheap, can accommodate four people, the driver is very familiar with all the attractions of Angkor Wat, if you haven't done your homework, you can let the driver arrange the tour route, except for the sunrise of Little Angkor and the sunset of Bakheng Mountain, the others are not much different.

The largest tree roots!

The tree roots at Angkor Wat in Cambodia intertwine with ancient stones, creating a mesmerizing and mystical sight. Towering silk cotton and strangler fig trees have grown amidst the temple ruins, their roots snaking over centuries-old structures. The most famous example is the Ta Prohm temple, where massive roots engulf the walls and courtyards, showcasing the relentless force of nature reclaiming the man-made. This harmonious blend of architecture and nature has become an iconic symbol of Angkor Wat. The intricate dance between stone and root tells a silent story of time, resilience, and the perpetual cycle of life in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. #tripstars