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Peace Of Angkor Photo Web
Accommodation and Photo Adventure Tours
Angkor and the
Temples
There is
nothing like Angkor anywhere on this planet.
The 12th century city covered
an area of over 100 Sq Kms with a population of over 1 million.
At its core, the Great City, of
Angkor Thom, is contained with high walls with huge faces carved in the
gateways.
Angkor Wat; the Worlds largest
religious building covers one and a half square Kms and contains more stone
than was used to build the great pyramid of Giza.
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The Royal pyramid of Phiminakas
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Small part of the Elephants Terrace
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Map area approx 20 kms x 12 kms
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Angkor thom South Gate
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The great Temple
city of
Angkor
Thom
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Bayon Faces
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Royal
Palace gate
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East Gate of
Angkor thom
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Huge stone faces adorn the main gates of Angkor Thom and
other temples.
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Angkor Thom Moat with demon
figure on Naga Balustrade
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Angkor Thom is is just the
starting point. Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world is
so big as to be hard to take in at once.
The 200metre wide moat
and causeway with the 350 metre entrance portico is impressive enough, but
the grandeur within its walls is truly stunning.
Over 1 kilometre of
spectacular carvings lie within its outer galleries and a vast labyrinth of
passages, courtyards and the five lotus flower towers at its centre.
More on Angkor Wat
Apsara Angkor Wat |
Angkor reflected in
pool at sundown
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Other Temples within Angkor
Ta Keo and
Pre Rup are temple mountain pyramids
which had five towers, which like Angkor Wat, represent the mythical Mount
Meru the centre of the Hindu Universe.
Spean Thma is an old stone Bridge which was laft high and dry After
the Siem Reap River changes its course.
The Hill Temple of Phnom Bakheng is
one of the most ancient of all the Angkor temples. It is popular as a sunset
viewpoint; an average of 3000 people climb to the top each evening. Visit at
other times and it will be almost deserted.
East Mebon
Situated at the centre of the huge reservoir of Eest Baray (now dried up), the island temple of East Mebon was built by Rajendravarman II at the end of 10th Century. It has five brick towers and elephant statues at each corner. It is a contemporary of Pre Rup (Turning of the Body) a funerary temple with a similar plan.
Banteay Srey
A favourite of whoever visits it; this small Hindu temple around 45 mins drive from Siem Reap, has the finest of all the carvings of the temples of Angkor. Banteay Srey is a place of breathtaking beauty. Get there early to avoid the crowds!
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All images and text © Dave Perkes 2009 www.peaceofangkor.com
Peace Of Angkor Tours #0435 Street 20 Wat Bo Village, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
PO Box 93125 855 (0)63 760 475 |
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