5 MUST SEE TEMPLES IN CAMBODIA: ONE DAY TOUR FROM SIEM REAP
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, and welcome to the channel. Join me today when we look at five must see temples in Cambodia. The first temple that we are going to look at is Ta Keo or prasat Ta Keo. It was built in
The early 11 Century by King Jayavaraman V. it is located between angkor thom and the eastern baray. It is one of the tallest monuments of Angkor the Ta Keo is a Mountain temple built by Jayavaraman V found a little east of Angkor Thom. Its five sanctuaries are placed on top of
A 22m high stepped pyramid from where there are good views of the surrounding area. The pyramid shaped Ta Keo was built to represent mount Meru, the mountain that is the centre of the world in Hindu mythology. The massive sandstone monument dedicated to Shiva was left unfinished
At the start of the 11th century. Work on the Ta Keo was halted at a time when sculptors began to add decoration to the temple, the reason why work stopped is not known and inscription says that
Lightning struck the temple at one point which was taken as a sign of bad luck upon which work was halted. More likely it was because the death of King Jayavaraman V who commissioned the temple. Around the Ta Keo was a moatt that represents the oceans surrounding mount Meru a paved
Walkway about 500m long towards the east with guardian lions on either side leads to a jetty on the large east baray. The pyramid’s first tier is surrounded by a sandstone wall with gopura entrance gates on all four sides. On either side of the eastern
Gopura is a room over 20m long, that was likely used to provide shelter for travellers. The second tier of the pyramid is surrounded by galleries 80m long and 75m wide, the galleries have no doors and its windows open up to the inside of the
Temple. The Ta Keo is the first temple where surrounding galleries were present. Many of of the Angkor temples that were built later copied this feature, the circular galleries are a continuation of the long halls of the earlier temples like those of the Pre Rup.
The second temple we are going to look at is Angkor Wat, originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the Vishnu for the Khmer empire by King Suryavarman II during the 12th century. It was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the century,
As such it is also described as a Hindu-Buddhist temple. This temple was commissioned by the Khmer King Suryavarman II and it was used as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture,
The temple mountain and later the galleried temple. It is designed to represent mount Meru home of the divas in Hindu mythology, within a moat of more than 5 km long and an outer wall of 3.6 km long. There are three rectangular galleries each raised above the next. At the
Centre of this temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angorian temples Angkor Wat is orientated to the west, and scholars are divided as to the significance of this. [Music] The Third Temple that we are going to look at today is BanteY Kdei,
This charming ancient temple located opposite the grand basin of Shra Shrang to which it was once connected. Built in the mid 12th to early 13th centuries during the reign of King Jayavaraman VII. It is in the Bayon architectural style with a flat layout
Plan similar to the nearby Ta Prohm and a short way to the north Preah Khan temple. [Music] The main entrance is from the east opposite Shra Shrang, while it is also possible to exit or enter via the western gate. The eastern gate
Is restored and the west only partially. Shortly after entering via the east gate, there is a hut that surrounds an excavation site where you can see a statue that has been left in the ground, partially exposed to showcase the archaeological finds made here.
The highlights of the site are its ruinous charm, eastern terrace with Naga and lions, the gopuras, which are the gates the Buddha statue in the east gopura, the hall of dancers, pediment reliefs, and the majestic tree on the western side to name just [Music] some.
The fourth temple that we are going to visit today is the Wat Thmey temple, and this is known for one of the most memorable locations among all the killing field in Cambodia which took place during the Khmer Rouge regime since the 1970s. Civilians were living in fear
Hoping to be rescued, some had a fortune to survive but millions did not and were left with only those skeletons that are displayed in the temple, which you will see later. This unforgettable history has been written and passed through until today, if you want to see the truth
The evidence of this nostalgic history, come visit the Wat Thmey temple, the killing field. [Music] Whilst visiting Wat Thmey, you will see the open grounds contain a large prayer hall on the left as you enter stupas, and everything you’d expect of a typical modern
Pagoda. In the middle rests the single glass sided monument filled with skulls and bones of victims collected by locals after the Khmer Rouge regime had ended. [Music] Wat Thmey is free to enter, and there is also small shops on the grounds, it takes around 15
Minutes to reach the pagoda from the centre of Siem Reap by tuk tuk. And is on route to the other temples so can easily be included in the beginning or the end of a day’s touring. [Music] The last temple that we are going to be looking at today is the East Mebon temple. The East Mebon is a 10th Century temple at Angkor Cambodia. Built during the reign of King Rajendravarman, it stands on what was an artificial Island at the centre of the now dry east baray reservoir.
The East Mebon was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and honours the parents of the king. Its location reflects Khmer architects concern with the orientation and cardinal directions. The temple was built on a north south axis with Rajendravarman’s state temple Pre Rup,
Located about 1200m to the South, just outside of the [Music] Baray. The East Mebon also lie’s on an east west axis with the palace temple Phimeanakas another creation of Rajendravarmans reign. Located about 6,800m due west. Built in the general style of Pre Rup the
East Mebon was dedicated in 953 A.D. It has two enclosing walls and three tiers, it includes the full array of durable Khmer construction materials, sandstone, brick laterite, and stucco. So these are a list of five must see temples in Cambodia. They are not in any particular order and not the only ones I would see, they’re just five that I would see. So if you’re staying
In Cambodia and in Siem Reap, all of these are easily accessible. You’ll need to hire a Tuk Tuk driver and you could get round these five in one day. I hope you’ve enjoyed the video, if you have please hit the like button and consider subscribing. Thanks for watching
Till the end, I hope you’ve enjoyed the video and look out for my other videos that will be coming out very soon. So I’ll see you all very soon, and bye for now.
Take a look at these five must see temples in Cambodia. All located within and nearby to the Angkor Wat Temple complex.
You can book these through a travel agent and share a mini bus with up to 12 people.
I had a tuk tuk driver take me to the 5 temples.
Ta Keo Temple
Angkor Wat
Banteay Kdei Temple
Wat Thmey
East Mebon Temple
Take plenty of water with you, sunscreen, hat, and of course your camera.