Wanderlust UK – September 2019

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154 wanderlust.co.uk September 2019

POCKET GUIDES TRAVEL ICON

Language:KhmerTime:GMT+7

Visas: 90 daye-visasareavailable

(evisa.gov.kh;$30/£23)inadvance

Money:Cambodianriel(KHR),

currentlyKHR5,116totheUK£

Needtoknow Thisfeatureisadaptedfrom

theDKEyewitnessCambodia

andLaostravelguide,which

containsillustrations,insider

tips,toursuggestionsanda

largepull-outmap.Seedk.com

ANGKORWAT

Exploringthetemple

AngkorWatisasublimeblendofgrandimpressionand

minutedetail.Upclose,thestaggeringcomplexityand

craftsmanshipofthebas-reliefsandstatuarybecomes

apparent,especiallyasyouenteritsenclosingwalls.

Thethirdwallistheplacetopauseforacircuitof

longgallerieslinedwithintricatebas-reliefpanels.

Beyondthis,visitorspassthroughashady,cloister-like

sectionspanningthesecondenclosuretoreachthe

innermostpartsofthetemplewherethewallsare

crowdedwithexquisitecarvings.

Toweringoverthecomplex,theCentralSanctuary

isasteepclimb,intendedtosymbolisethediiculty

ofascendingtothekingdomofthegods.Itsfour

entrancesfeatureimagesofBuddha,re­lectinghow

BuddhismeventuallywentontodisplaceHinduism.

Visitors

descending

thesteep

climbto

the Central

Sanctuary of

Angkor Wat.

Bas-reliefdepictionsof

apsarasliningthewalls

ofthesecondenclosure.

INSIDER TIP

Getting around the temples

There are various ways to get around the

temples of Angkor. Though many people visit

on organised tours by minibus, travelling

independently gives you a lot more freedom.

A popular option is to charter a motorbike taxi

or tuk-tuk for the day – with many drivers also

doubling as informal guides. If you’d prefer to

travel under your own steam, it’s possible to

walk between the major temples, although

you’ll need to get transport out from Siem

Reap at the start. Alternatively, bicycles

are available to rent in Siem Reap, and the

area around the temples is mercifully ­lat.

The carvings of hundreds

of sensual apsaras line

the walls of the temple.

Bas-reliefs in the southern

gallery depict images of

King Suryavarman II, who

initiated the construction

of Angkor. Wat.

The Terrace of

Honour was used to

receive ceremonial

processions and

foreign dignitaries.

The causeway leading

to the temple’s main

entrance on the

west side aˆords

a spectacular view

of Angkor Wat’s

grand exterior.

The library
provides views
of the upper
levels of Angkor.

Hall of Echoes

Central

Sanctuary

The southern section

of the western gallery

is decorated with

intricate bas-relief

sculptures.