Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei is considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of Angkorian Art. A Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built in 10 century, it's cut from stone of a pinkish hue and includes some of the finest stone carvings seen anywhere on earth. It's one of the smallest sites at Angkor, but what it lacks on size it makes up for stature. It's wonderful well preserved and many of its carving are three-dimensional. Banteay Srei was the first major temples-Restoration undertaken by the EFFEO in 1930 using anastylosis method

Banteay Samre

Banteay Samre dates from the same period as Angkor Wat and was built by Suryavarman II in 12 century dedicated to Hindu god Lord Vishnu. The temple is in fairly healthy state of preservation due to some extensive renovation work. It's isolate temple hidden behind Preah Dak village, it got very few visitors. It's good place for travelers wish to avoid the crowds, have a peaceful time to enjoy the ruin by yourself.

Preah Khan

Preah Khan ( Sacred Sword ) is one of the largest complexes at Angkor - a maze vaulted corridors, fine carvings and lichen-clad stonework. It is counterpoint to Ta Prohm and generally sees slightly fewer visitors. Prreah Khan was built by Jayavarman VII in 12 century, the mighty Buddhist king in Angkor Period. The central sanctuary of the temple was dedicated in 1191AD and a large stone stele tell us much about Preah Khan's role as a centre for worship and learning. The temple was dedicated to 515 divinities and during the course of a year 18 festivals took place here, requiring a team of thousands just maintain the place.

Neak Pean

The Buddhist temple of Preah Neak Poan ( Intertwined snake ) is a petite perfect temple built by Jayavarman VII, it was built on the artificial island locate in the middle on manmade lake Jayatataka or north Baray. It has a large square pool surrounded by four square pools. In the middle of the central pool is another circular 'island' encircled by the two Nagas whose intertwined the tails give the temple its name. In the pool surrounded the central island there were once four statues, but only one remains, reconstructed from debris by the French archaeologists who cleared the site. The curious figure has the body of a horse supported by a tangle of human legs. It relates to a legend that Avalokiteshvara once saved a group of shipwrecked followers from an island of ghouls by transforming into a flying horse. The water once flowed from the central pool into the four peripheral pools via ornamental spouts, which still can be seen in the pavilions at each axis of the pool. The spouts are in the form of Elephant's head, a horse's head, a lion's head and a human's head which each one are the symbol of one of the four elements( water,wind, fire and the earth elements )

Ta Som

Ta Som is the satellite temple of Preah Khan so this temple also built by Jayavarman VII,late 12 century. The temple is very small but still worth it to stop for a quick look, at the eastern gate has big head with 4 faces of Lord Brahma style but its the symbol on Buddhist's divine Avalokiteshvara, the lord of compassion, covering by giant fig tree.

Eastern Mebon

Eastern Mebon is a Hindu temple, erected by Rajendravarman II (r 944-68), would have been on an islet in the centre of Eastern Baray ( Eastern water reservoir ) but now have been much on dry land. The temple-mountain form topped off by the now familiar to quincuncial arrangement of towers. The elaborate brick shrines are dotted with neatly arranged holes, which attached the original plasterwork. The base of the temple is guarded its corners by perfectly carved stone figures of elephants, many of which are still in very good state of preservation.

Pre Rup

Pre Rup built by Rajendravarman II in the 10 century, is about 1 km south of Eastern Mebon. Like its predecessor, the temple consists of a pyramid-shape temple-mountain with the uppermost of the three tiers carring five lotus towers. The brick sanctuaries were also once decorated with plaster coating, fragments of which still remain on the southern tower. Pre Rup means 'turn the body' and refer to a traditional method of cremation, after burning the body, the priests take the ashes out then flatting it and drawing human figure on it, we believe that if the priest can draw perfect picture for a person who died, that person will get the perfect body next life. Pre Rup is second choice for watching sunset ( optinal )

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat built by Suryavarman II in 12 century to honor Lord Vishnu, the Hindu deity with whom he identified. Angkor Wat is the largest and undoubtedly the most breathtaking of the monuments of Angkor, and is widely believed to be the largest religious structure in the world. It is simply unique, stunning blend of spirituality and symmetry, an enduring example of man's devotion to his gods. Relish the very first approach, as that spine-tickling moment when you emerge on the inner causeway will rarely be felt again. It is the best-preserve temple at Angkor. Angkor Wat is unique among the temples of Angkor. The most significant fact is that the temple is oriented towards the west. West is symbolially the direction of death, which once led a large number of scholars to conclude that Angkor Wat must have existed primarily as a tomb.

Phnom Bakheng

Phnom Bakheng built by Yasovarman I in early 10 century. Phnom Bakheng claim to being home to the first of temple-mountains built in the vicinity of Angkor. The temple-mountain has five tiers, with seven levels ( including the base and the summit ). At the base are-or were - 44 towers. Each of five tiers had 12 towers. The summit of the temple has 4 towers at the cardinal points of the compass as well as central sanctuary. All of these numbers are symbolic significance. The seven levels, for example, represent the seven Hindu Heavens, while the total number of towers, excluding the central sanctuary, is 108, a particularly auspicious number and one that correlates to the lunar calendar. It is easy hiking place,to the top of the hill, about 20 minutes.

Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom ( great city ) was the last city of Angkor and was built by Jayavarman VII. At the city's height, it may have support a population of one million people in the surrounding region. Centred on the Bayon, Angkor Thom is enclosed by a jayagiri ( square wall ) 8m high and 12 km in length and encircled by a 100m-wide Jayasindhu(moat). The city has five immense gates, one each on northern, western, southern walls and two in the eastern wall. The gates are 20m in height, decorated with stone elephant trunks and crowned by four gargantuan faces of Avaloketishvara, the Budhissattva of Compassion, facing the cardinal points. In front of each gate stands giant statues of 54 gods and 54 demons, a motif taken from the story of The Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Beside these fabulous things, Angkor Thom has amazing temple Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas and leper king terrace and elephant terrace.

Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm is undoubtedly the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor and should be high on the hit list of every visitors. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlikely the other monuments of Angkor, it has been swallowed by the jungle, and look very much he way most of the monuments of Angkor appeared when the European explorers first stumbled upon them. Built from 1186 and original known as Rajavihara( Monastery of the king )Ta Prohm was Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII. It is one of the few temples in the Angkor region where inscription provides information about the temple's dependents and inhabitants about 12 thousand people lived within the compound.