| Angkor Wat |
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January 11, 2007
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"Angkor" literally means "Holy City"; and Ankgor Wat is the main and most visited temple of the city of Angkor.
Ankgor Wat, one of the seven wonders of the world, is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters from the ground level. The temple itself is 1km square and consists of three levels surmounted by a central tower. The walls of the temple are covered inside and outside with bas-reliefs and carvings, with stories and characters from Hindu mythology and historical wars. Nearly 2000 apsaras carvings (mythological celestial nymphs) adorn the walls of the temple.
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| Glossary |
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January 11, 2007
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A small glossary to better understand the meaning of what you are going to see in Angkor.
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| Bayon |
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January 11, 2007
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If you see only two temples, Angkor Wat and Bayon should be the ones. The giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognizable images of Khmer art.
There are 37 standing towers, most of which with four carved faces oriented toward the four cardinal points. The size of these faces is impressive. As you walk around, a dozen or more of the heads are visible at any time, full-face or in profile, almost level with your eyes or staring down from on high.
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| Ta Prohm |
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January 11, 2007
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The Lonely Planet describes the temple of Ta Prohm as the ruins of Angkor where there is the famous door where Angelina Jolie (in the movie Tomb Raider) takes the flower and... (watch the movie!!!)
Of course, Ta Prohm is much more than this... The romantic atmosphere you feel around these ruins, little by little taken by the jungle, walking around hidden corners, make Ta Prohm a temple full of charm.
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| Banteay Srey |
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January 11, 2007
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Banteay Srey, which means "Citadel of the women", displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. The walls are densely covered with some of the most beautiful, deep and intricate carvings of any Angkorian temple. The Banteay Srey templès small size, pink sandstone, and ornate design give it a fairyland ambiance. |
| Preah Khan |
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January 11, 2007
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Preah Khan, which means "sacred sword", is a huge monastic complex; full of carvings, passages and photo opportunities. It originally served as a Buddhist monastery and school, engaging over 1000 monks. |
| Angkor Thom |
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January 11, 2007
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Angkor Thom (Big Angkor) is a 3km squared walled royal city. Inside the walls there are small temple, such as Baphuon and Phimeanakas, and the famous Bayon, set at the center of the city of Angkor Thom.
There are five entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point, plus the Victory Gate leading to the Royal Palace area; each gate is crowned with 4 giant faces. |
| Terrace of the Leper King and Terrace of the Elephants |
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January 11, 2007
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Terrace of the Leper King is a terrace wall with deeply carved nagas, demons and other mythological beings. The terrace was named for the statue of the "Leper King" that sits on top.
Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two and a half-meter tall, 300 meter long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and garudas (mythical bird-man, mortal enemy of nagas).
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| Roluos Group |
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January 12, 2007
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The Roluos Group takes its name because of the proximity to the modern town of Roluos. It is a group of three temples, outside the area of the main one; it includes Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei. |
| Ta Som |
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January 12, 2007
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Small monastic complex, with entrance tower gates. The jungle is destroying the temple, Ta Som looks like a miniature version of Ta Prohm. Inside the Ta Som there are a lot of carvings in good conditions. |
| Phnom Bakheng |
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January 12, 2007
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Phnom Bakheng, which means "Bakheng Hill", takes the name from the hill where it was built. Bakheng's hilltop location makes it the most popular sunset location in the area (after Angkor Wat), offering a view of the Tonle Sap Lake and a distant Angkor Wat in the jungle. |
| Banteay Kdei |
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January 12, 2007
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Banteay Kdei is a monastic complex, largely unrestored. A restoration project is underway on many of the towers and corridors, and some areas are blocked off. There are some nice carvings on columns. |
| East Mebon |
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January 12, 2007
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East Mebon is a large temple on the hill, rising three levels and crowned by five towers. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. |
| Banteay Samre |
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January 12, 2007
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Banteay Samre is a large, comparatively flat temple, displaying Angkor Wat-style architecture and artistry; expecially the style of the towers and balustrades. Also, many of the carvings are in excellent condition.
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| Ta Keo |
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January 12, 2007
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Towering but plainly decorated temple-mountain dedicated to Shiva. Ta Keo is known as "the mountain with golden peaks". This is the first temple to be constructed wholly of sandstone. |
| Thommanom |
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January 12, 2007
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Thommanom is a small, attractive temple in very good condition. Many of the Thommanom' carvings are in excellent conditions; and the colours of the age stained sandstone against the jungle are really nice. |
| Pre Rup |
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January 13, 2007
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Pre Rup is a temple mountain, believed to be a funerary temple. From the top there is a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside. There are some well-preserved carvings, and beautifully carved false doors. |
| Kbal Spean |
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January 13, 2007
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Kbal Spean is an area on the mountain, with a river of 1000 lingas. There are also some good carvings of Gods images in the rocks.
Kbal Spean is a good visit, far from the Korean crowd, with a nice walk outside the Angkor heart. |
| Neak Pean |
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January 13, 2007
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A small island temple, located in the middle of the baray. The temple is faced by a statue of the horse, Balaha, saving drowings sailors. Neak Pean may also have served an absolution function, believing the waters to have healing properties. |
| Prasat Kravan |
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January 13, 2007
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Brick towers, Prasat Kravan contains some unique bas-reliefs of Vishnu, rendered in bricks. |
| Prasat Bei |
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January 13, 2007
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Prasat Bei, which means "three towers", is a set of three bricks towers.
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| Baksei Chamkrong |
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January 13, 2007
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A 12-meter tall brick tower, pyramid style. It is believed that Baksei Chamkrong was used as a funerary temple. |
| Srah Srang |
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January 13, 2007
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Srah Srang is a pictoresque baray, with a multi-tiered landing platform adorned with naga and guardian lions. |
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