A cultural heritage site with a magnificent scale and beautiful architecture
Located in northwest Cambodia, the Angkor Ruins are dotted with numerous ruins in the vast jungle. The Angkor Dynasty, which flourished from the 9th to 15th centuries, left behind a wide variety of ruins. It is said that the number of ruins, including temples, castles, bridges, and other structures, as well as smaller ruins, exceeds 1,000. The highlight of the site is Angkor Wat, also known as the "masterpiece of Khmer architecture." Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II of the Angkor Dynasty, this huge temple ruin is surrounded by a moat measuring approximately 1.3 kilometers from north to south and 1.4 kilometers from east to west. Its symmetrical appearance, centered around the central shrine, which is approximately 65 meters high, and the relief decorations painted throughout the corridors and shrines are its characteristics. The sheer scale and intricate details are truly spectacular. If you can visit early in the morning when the sky is dyed in the morning glow, you will be able to enjoy an even more dramatic Angkor Wat experience.
Of course, there are many other fascinating ruins in the Angkor Ruins besides Angkor Wat. Located to the north of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom is dotted with ruins including the impressive Bayon, a four-faced statue with a gentle smile; Ta Prohm, where giant trees stand as if they are swallowing up the ruins; and Phnom Bakheng, a famous sunset spot, are also must-visit ruins. Also, if you go a little further from the city of Siem Reap, which is the tourist base, there are many other attractions such as Banteay Srei, where the Devada (goddess) statue, known as the Mona Lisa of the East, is enshrined, and Beng Mealea, a fantastic ruin-like ruin left in the jungle. The royal road to the Angkor Ruins is to visit these diverse ruins from the city of Siem Reap as your base. One of the great attractions of a trip to Angkor is that you can freely plan your trip according to your travel schedule, such as "see only Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom in one day!", "stay for three days and tour the main ruins!", or "spend a week carefully viewing your favorite ruins!"
Upgrade your ruins journey with a blissful resort
The Angkor Wat is known for its overwhelming scale and beauty, but what makes each visit even more memorable are the beautiful resorts scattered around the ruins. In recent years, high-end resort hotels have been appearing one after another in Siem Reap, the base for Angkor tourism, welcoming travelers from all over the world.
For example, Amansara, a luxury resort that represents Siem Reap, is a renovated guesthouse built by King Sihanouk and used as a beautiful resort space. It is not only a base for sightseeing at the ruins, but also has an impressive design inside the building and Khmer cuisine made with locally produced ingredients. It is a place that will make your trip to Angkor more elegant. Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa, located in the center of the former French residential area of Siem Reap, is also one of the beautiful resorts. It is recommended for families traveling to Angkor as it has a kids club and a pool. In addition, there are a wide variety of resort spaces scattered around, such as Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, which is renowned for the hospitality unique to prestigious hotels, and The Beige, a luxury tent resort that opened in 2017. Enjoy visiting the ruins in the cool mornings and evenings, and relax by the resort poolside or at the spa during the day. Why not try to make such a luxurious trip to a world heritage site come true?
*The entire building will be closed from May to the end of October 2019 due to renovations.
An encounter with the beautiful Khmer culture
Enjoy visiting the ruins and soak up the bliss of the resort. What makes your trip to Angkor even more colorful is your encounter with the Khmer culture that has been passed down through the generations in Cambodia. For example, around Siem Reap, there are restaurants and hotels where you can enjoy the traditional Cambodian "Apsara dance" along with Khmer cuisine. "Apsara" is a "celestial maiden" that is often used in the reliefs of the ruins, and the dance performed by women wearing gold crowns and gorgeous silk costumes is truly mystical. Shadow puppet shows that are enjoyed along with Cambodian classical music are also a part of the traditional culture that you should definitely see. Also, if you are looking for souvenirs, head to the "Old Market" in the center of Siem Reap. There are many items unique to Cambodia here, such as colorful accessories, miscellaneous goods, and scarves made from locally produced silk. There are also an increasing number of stylish select shops around the market, so you can enjoy just strolling around. Ruins x Resorts x Unique Culture. Siem Reap, visited by travelers from all over the world, is a place where the essence of a truly diverse journey lives on. Please take your time to enjoy its charm.
Featured Events
November 21-23, 2018
Water Festival
This national event is held every year for three days before and after the full moon in October or November. It takes place along the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh and the Siem Reap River in Siem Reap, and many people get excited about the boat races and fireworks displays.
Comment
Cambodia does not have four seasons, but is divided into a rainy season from June to October and a dry season from November to May. If you are planning to visit the Angkor Wat, we recommend the dry season when you don't have to worry about rain showers, but November to February is the best time. This period marks the beginning of the dry season, and is relatively cooler than March to May, when the maximum temperature exceeds 35°C, so you should be able to enjoy visiting the ruins comfortably.
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
