Siem Reap & Angkor Wat

The temple complex of Angkor — the seat of the Khmer Empire from the ninth to the fifteenth century — is one of the largest religious monuments in the world and the reason most travellers come to Cambodia. The base town is Siem Reap, an hour’s flight from Phnom Penh or a six-hour bus from Bangkok. Three days of temples is the classic itinerary: a sunrise at Angkor Wat itself, a full day at the Bayon faces and the walled royal city of Angkor Thom, and a third day at the jungle-tangled Ta Prohm and the carved pink-sandstone of Banteay Srei. Outside the temples, Pub Street runs loud and late, the night market is half souvenirs and half local crafts, and a half-day to the floating village of Kampong Phluk on Tonle Sap is the obvious add-on. Buy the three-day pass; the seven-day version pays off only on a long stay.

Angkor Wat at sunrise with the five iconic towers reflected in the lotus-strewn pond, pink dawn sky deepening to gold and silhouetted sugar palms on the horizon — Angkor Wat at sunrise.

Long stone gallery of the Angkor Wat west causeway leading toward the central towers, golden afternoon light raking across carved sandstone, monks in saffron robes walking past — Angkor Wat west causeway.

Intricate carvings of the Churning of the Sea of Milk along a long stone corridor at Angkor Wat, dappled light through the columns on weathered sandstone — Churning of the Sea of Milk bas-relief.

Apsara dancer carved into the wall of Angkor Wat, soft side light revealing the intricate detail of the celestial dancer's jewelry and headdress — Apsara dancer carved at Angkor Wat.

Bayon temple at dawn with dozens of serene smiling stone faces emerging from the towers, soft morning mist between the spires and golden first light — Bayon stone faces at dawn.

Long elevated sandstone walkway of the Baphuon causeway in Angkor Thom, late afternoon shadows pooling on the stones with the pyramid temple ahead — Baphuon causeway, Angkor Thom.

South Gate of Angkor Thom at dawn, stone causeway lined with statues of gods and demons leading to the towering four-faced gate, mist hovering over the moat — South Gate of Angkor Thom at dawn.

Massive silk-cotton tree roots engulfing the crumbling stone walls of Ta Prohm temple, dappled jungle light filtering through the dense canopy — Ta Prohm temple ruins.

Ancient stone doorway at Ta Prohm swallowed by enormous strangler-fig roots, moss-covered weathered ruins in atmospheric green jungle light — Ta Prohm tree-root doorway.

Banteay Srei temple in late afternoon, the pink sandstone shrine famed for the most intricate carvings in the Angkor region, warm light bringing out the rose tones — Banteay Srei in late afternoon.

Long stone gallery of Preah Khan with collapsed roof and fig roots pushing through the walls, shafts of sunlight piercing the gloom — Preah Khan corridor.

Ta Keo unfinished pyramid temple rising starkly from the surrounding jungle, soft morning light raking the steep stone steps — Ta Keo unfinished pyramid.

Pre Rup brick-and-laterite pyramid temple bathed in fiery orange sunset light, visitors silhouetted on the upper terraces — Pre Rup at sunset.

Life-size carved stone elephant guardians at the corners of the laterite East Mebon temple platform, late afternoon golden light — East Mebon elephant guardians.

Visitors silhouetted on the elevated stone terrace of Phnom Bakheng at sunset, Angkor Wat visible far below in the jungle under a fiery sky — Phnom Bakheng hilltop sunset.

Vast unrestored Beng Mealea temple complex consumed by jungle, fallen sandstone blocks covered in moss and wooden walkways winding through the chaos — Beng Mealea jungle ruins.

Circular stone shrine of Neak Pean island temple at the centre of a square pond, calm water reflecting the temple with lotus blossoms in the foreground — Neak Pean island temple.

Four-faced stone tower of the Ta Som east gateway being slowly devoured by the roots of a huge fig tree, soft afternoon light in the jungle — Ta Som east gateway.

Stepped sandstone pyramid of Bakong temple at the Roluos group surrounded by a green moat and palm trees in soft morning light — Bakong, Roluos group.

Three brick towers of Preah Ko at the Roluos group with sandstone lintels carved with deities, golden-hour light — Preah Ko, Roluos group.

Weathered stone gallery of the Banteay Kdei monastic complex with apsara carvings, monks in saffron robes walking past in dappled morning sunlight — Banteay Kdei monastic gallery.

Sras Srang royal bathing pool at dawn, the stone-lined ceremonial reservoir mirroring a pink sky with a lone monk on the steps — Sras Srang royal bathing pool at dawn.

Wooden stilted houses rising twenty metres above the dry-season ground at Kampong Phluk floating village, narrow waterways between them in late afternoon light — Kampong Phluk stilted village, Tonle Sap.

Wooden boats laden with vegetables and fish gliding past floating houses at Chong Kneas market on Tonle Sap, warm afternoon light on the calm lake — Chong Kneas floating market, Tonle Sap.

Wooden houses on tall stilts at Kampong Khleang silhouetted against a deep orange sunset sky, fishermen returning home in narrow boats — Kampong Khleang at sunset.

Pub Street in Siem Reap at night with neon signs and crowded outdoor bars, tuk-tuks passing in a blur, warm lantern light over the pedestrian street — Pub Street at night, Siem Reap.

Narrow aisles of Psar Chas Old Market in Siem Reap packed with stalls of silk, spices and fresh produce, vendors arranging goods in warm overhead light — Old Market (Psar Chas), Siem Reap.

Apsara dance performance in Siem Reap, dancers in elaborate gold headdresses and silk costumes performing slow ceremonial movements on a candle-lit stage — Apsara dance performance, Siem Reap.

Phare Cambodian Circus performer in Siem Reap, an acrobat mid-leap under warm stage lights with the audience visible in shadow — Phare Cambodian Circus, Siem Reap.

Fruit vendor stall at a Siem Reap night market with stacked mangoes, dragonfruit and papaya glowing under warm lantern light — Fruit vendor at the night market.

Narrow Siem Reap market alley lined with stalls of textiles, spices and souvenirs as shoppers browse under warm overhead lighting — Siem Reap market alley.

Handcraft souvenir stalls displaying carved wooden Buddhas, painted lacquerware and silk scarves at a Siem Reap market — Handcraft souvenir stalls.

Tropical juice and smoothie stand with fresh mangoes, pineapples and coconuts on the counter, paper cups stacked beside the blender — Juice and smoothie stand.

Khmer herbal steam bath with a copper pot steaming on coals in a bamboo-walled room, lanterns glowing and a tray of medicinal herbs in the foreground — Khmer herbal steam bath.

Souvenir shop display in Siem Reap with carved stone replicas of Angkor temples, lacquered boxes and silk scarves arranged on wooden shelves — Souvenir shop display.

Khmer spa reception with a polished teak desk, frangipani blossoms in shallow bowls and golden Buddha statuary in soft warm lighting — Khmer spa reception.

Roadside foot-massage parlour with reclining chairs and therapists working on customers' feet, open to the warm evening street — Street foot massage.

Luxury spa treatment room with a candle-lit massage table, dark wood floors and orchids in tall vases under soft warm lighting — Luxury spa treatment room.

Open-air spa garden with stone massage pavilions set among tropical greenery, lily ponds and lanterns hung from the eaves — Open-air spa garden.

Tourists relaxing in reclining chairs while therapists give foot massages on a Pub Street side lane in Siem Reap, neon signs overhead — Foot massages off Pub Street.

Vibrant Siem Reap walking street at night packed with crowds, glowing neon signs and tuk-tuks weaving between pedestrians — Walking street, night crowd.

Pub Street in Siem Reap by night with red neon arches, crowded outdoor bars and tuk-tuks lining the pedestrian strip — Pub Street, Siem Reap.

Brightly lit Siem Reap walking street with bar signs in English and Khmer, restaurant patios spilling onto the pavement and warm lantern light — Walking street at night.

Pedestrian street in Siem Reap lined with parked tuk-tuks under festoon lights, drivers waiting for fares as crowds pass — Pedestrian street with tuk-tuks.

Fire juggler performing on Pub Street in Siem Reap with flames streaking through the night air, a crowd watching against bright neon signs — Fire juggler on Pub Street.

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