Many tourists head to Angkor before dawn to capture beautiful snapshots of the temple ruins at sunrise. — Photos: DAVID BOWDEN
Tourism was identified as a major industry for Cambodia after years of civil unrest, and the listing of Angkor as a United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Site in 1992 was key to implementing a national tourism plan for the country.
The jewel in Cambodia’s tourism crown is Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious site. It’s worth noting that this temple is but one of the many close to the rapidly growing township of Siem Reap. Archaeologists have identified over 1,000 religious sites scattered over the plains of northern Cambodia, with Unesco recognising greater Angkor as a heritage site for all to admire.
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The mysteries of Angkor
Many tourists head to Angkor before dawn to capture beautiful snapshots of the temple ruins at sunrise. — Photos: DAVID BOWDEN
Get off the tourist paths to explore antiquities like the Angkor Thom East Gate, also known as the Gate Of The Dead.
Angkor Wat is one of many temples scattered among the forests on the plains of central Cambodia.
Angkor was once a massive city with agriculture as an integral component.
Vespa tours of the temples can be organised as a Raffles curated journey.
Ta Phrom Temple has been left in its original state and is overrun by rainforest trees.
Unesco protection helps in protecting a few temples from being plundered for their antiquities.
Sunrise is a popular time for eager temple-goers to visit Angkor Wat.
The Grand Hotel d’Angkor Siem Reap is the hotel of choice for discerning travellers.
Angkor is an expansive site surrounded by forests and farm land.
One of the features of most of the sandstone walls in Angkor is the bas-relief, or three-dimensional engravings.
