The World's Largest Temple - Angkor Wat (Part 2) and Sunrise Viewing Tips

In the previous introduction to Angkor Wat, we had just arrived at the Lotus Pond in front of the Scripture Hall, and the Lotus Pond on the left is indeed the best spot to enjoy the sunrise over Angkor Wat. The reflection of the temple in the pond water creates a perfect mirror image, complementing the actual structure. Paired with the date-red morning light and similarly tinted clouds, it forms a perfect painting. However, many tourists come to watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat every morning. If you want to secure a good spot for photography, it's best to arrive at the entrance before the site opens at 5 am, and by 5:10 am, you should be at this spot by the sacred pond. If you're late, you'll only be able to stand at the back to take photos. During the few hours of waiting for the sunrise, you'll also find many vendors weaving through the crowd, selling coffee, soft drinks, and even complete breakfast sets. If you're bored, why not have breakfast to pass the time? If you want to avoid the crowds or take photos of the sunrise from different angles, you can also head to Phnom Bakheng. Phnom Bakheng is the highest point in the area and also the best spot for watching the sunset, offering a panoramic view of the entire Angkor dynasty from above. Also, because Phnom Bakheng has an open 360-degree view, it is equally excellent for watching the sunrise. The sun rises slowly from the jungle, which is quite special. However, note that the platform on the top of Phnom Bakheng is small and can only accommodate 300 people at a time, so if you want to watch the sunrise there, you also need to arrive before the site opens at 5 am. After watching the sunrise, continue straight along the path to the temple's main entrance, and you will enter the first gallery of the temple. The gallery is about 800 meters long on all sides, and the highlight is the bas-relief murals, which total eight pieces, each two meters high and a hundred meters long, depicting Hindu mythological stories and the king's war achievements, among other things. Since I am not very familiar with Hinduism, I couldn't fully appreciate its charm. If you want to understand the content of the murals, it is recommended to hire a local guide. They will tell you in detail about each piece and the story behind it, which is very helpful for those who want to understand Angkor culture and Hinduism. After visiting the murals, continue upwards to the second gallery. In the middle of the second gallery is a cross-shaped space with four bathing pools, which are said to have been used for purification before rituals in the past, but now they are completely dry. The highlight of the second gallery is the more than a thousand goddess bas-reliefs on the walls, each goddess with different attire, posture, and form, which is very spectacular. Another popular spot in the second gallery is the 'Heart Sutra Tree Hole' from the movie 'In the Mood for Love'. After Tony Leung's character, Chow Mo-wan, painfully leaves Maggie Cheung's character, Su Li-zhen, he comes to Angkor Wat, speaks his heart out to a small hole in the stone cave, and then seals the hole. This small hole is located in the second gallery, and for its exact location, it's best to ask your guide. The third level of the temple is the top of Angkor Wat, but getting to the third gallery on this level is not easy because you have to climb a 35-meter-high staircase with a 70-degree incline, requiring hands and feet to ascend. The third gallery is open from 7:40 am to 5 pm, and since there is a limit on the number of people allowed to climb the tower, you can often see tourists queuing up at the stairs. Also, there are strict requirements for visitors' attire here: those wearing hats, sleeveless tops, skirts, or pants above the knee are not allowed to climb the tower, and children under 12 are also prohibited. This is something to pay special attention to. Once you reach the top of the central tower, you are at the highest man-made structure in the Angkor Wat area, as the local government has stipulated that no building can exceed the height of the top of Angkor Wat. The third gallery also has many exquisite bas-reliefs, especially of the beautiful celestial nymphs, Apsaras, from Hindu mythology. Be sure to look up and search carefully. Additionally, as the highest point of Angkor Wat, the view here is naturally first-class, overlooking the entire Angkor Temple and the distant jungle, which is quite spectacular.