Packed with 287 ancient temples and centuries of ancient Khmer history, this World Heritage Site never fails to impress.
With architecture spanning back to the ninth century and a wealth of history from the Khmer Empire, a visit to Angkor Archaeological Park will make you feel like you’re stepping back in time.
The World Heritage Site covers around 200 hectares (500 acres) and holds 287 ancient temples. Because of its large size and abundance of attractions, you’ll need at least three days to explore the park properly.
You can purchase a ticket at the entrance to the park, which allows you to see all of the temples in the area. Once you begin your journey, you can take two routes: the Small Circuit or the Grand Circuit. As the names would suggest, the Small Circuit is the shorter of the two at just over 17 kilometres (10 miles). Its route will take you through the major landmarks. The Grand Circuit winds through 26 kilometres (16 miles) and allows visitors to see a greater variety of architecture. Don’t miss out on the Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm temples while you’re there. Angkor Wat temple is the largest religious landmark in the world and is particularly stunning to visit at sunrise.
Most visitors make the trip to Angkor Wat during the winter season, because the conditions are cooler and drier. If you don’t like hot temperatures, avoid planning your visit during the springtime March is generally considered to be the hottest time of year. June to October is the rainy season, making it difficult to access some of the landmarks.
Getting to and from Angkor Archaeological Park is simple. If you’re feeling adventurous, rent a bicycle. If you don’t want to exert too much energy, hail one of Cambodia’s iconic tuk-tuks or rent a private tour bus. The tour buses are usually reasonably priced and provide a local perspective on the park. Or, give yourself an unforgettable experience and travel through designated portions of Angkor Wat by elephant!
