Overseas Attractions - Travel Guides to Attractions Worldwide

Ta Som

ileana — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:03:17 +0000

Overview

Opening Times: 5am-6pm (Sunrise to sunset)
Duration: 1 Hour
Fees: $20-$60
Address: Angkor Palm, Siem Reap 82720, Cambodia
Type: Temples

Ta Som is a Buddhist temple of the Angkor complex. Its small size is uncharacteristic for the type of edifices constructed by King Jayavarman VII, during whose reign Ta Som was also built. The origins of the temple are clouded in mystery. Having never been restored, the ruins now consist of one shrine and laterite walls that enclose it. Roots of old trees are slowly taking over the temple and make fantastic photo opportunities for visitors.

Ta Som Photos

History

Ta Som was built in the second half of the 12^th century by King Jayavarman VII . Although historians are not sure about the initial purpose of the temple, it is speculated that the Buddhist king built Ta Som for one his teachers or his father. The little restoration done to this site happened after 1950.

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Thma Bay Kaek

ileana — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:12:25 +0000

Overview

Opening Times: 5am-6pm (Sunrise to sunset)
Duration: 15 minutes
Fees: $20-$60
Address: Angkor Palm, Siem Reap 82720, Cambodia
Type: Temples

Thma Bay Kaek is a former temple of the Angkorian era, from which only a few ruins are left today. One brick tower is left standing. Its door frame is featured with a lintel and other decorations. The most fascinating part related to these ruins is actually the discovery of a sacred deposit of five gold leaves underneath it, one of which has Nandi’s – Shiva’s bull – image carved on it.

Thma Bay Kaek Photos

History

Thma Bay Kaek was built in the early 10^th century to honor the Hindu god Shiva. King Yasovarman I initiated the construction of the temple in a period when Phnom Bakheng, located close by, was the capital of Angkor.

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Thommanon

ileana — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:23:52 +0000

Overview

Opening Times: 5am-6pm (Sunrise to sunset)
Duration: 1 Hour
Fees: $20-$60
Address: Angkor Palm, Siem Reap 82720, Cambodia
Type: Temples

Thommanon is a small, yet very popular and well maintained Hindu temple of Angkor Wat. The point of attraction in this temple is a statue of a female devata (deity) wearing traditional clothing and jewelry, resembling the statues in Angkor Wat. The Angkorian style is also present in the design of the tower.

Thommanon Photos

History

Thommanon was built in the same era as Angkor Wat by Suryavarman II. However, the statues of female deities are said to have been built during the reign of Jayavarman VI, in late 11^th century. During the 1960’s, French archaeologists restored Thommanon. In 1992, the temple became an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Wat Athvea

ileana — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:59:56 +0000

Overview

Opening Times: 5am-6pm (Sunrise to sunset)
Duration: 1 Hour
Fees: $20-$60
Address: Angkor Palm, Siem Reap 82720, Cambodia
Type: Temples

Wat Athvea, also called Prasat Vat Althea, is a Hindu temple located south of Siem Reap, in a more secluded area than the main attractions of Angkor. This makes it less visited by tourists and more of an appropriate setting for artistic photos. One of the better maintained temples, the Wat Athvea perimeter also hosts a functional Buddhist temple. The garden surrounding it adds to the picturesque of the place. There are no finished carvings on Wat Athvea, but it does somewhat resemble Angkor Wat architecture.

Wat Athvea Photos

History

Wat Athvea dates back to the 12^th century, when it was constructed by King Suryavarman II. 6 female carvings, representing the sisters of Angkor Wat, were planned for the internal decor but only 4 were completed.

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Beng Mealea

ileana — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:14:40 +0000

Overview

Opening Times: 5am-6pm (Sunrise to sunset)
Duration: 1 Hour
Fees: $5, separate to Ankor Archaelogical Park.
Address: Angkor Palm, Siem Reap 82720, Cambodia
Type: Temple

Perhaps one of the more mysterious edifices in Cambodia, Beng Mealea is a fresh piece of tourism attraction - until recently it was impossible to reach. Situated 77 km away from Siem Reap, the newly built road to Koh Ker has its starting point in town. The reason for which Beng Mealea is shrouded in mystery is because its origins history are unknown. Architects have approximated that Beng Mealea is characteristic to the period of Suryavarman II (early 12th century). Its thick trees are similar to Ta Phrom.

The sandstone ruins of Beng Mealea feature three galleries that surround what used to be the sanctuary of the edifice. The carvings on the walls tell stories from the Hindu mythology; the most famous of them is the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.

Beng Mealea Photos

History

Beng Mealea was constructed under the reign of King Suryavarman II, who was also the founder of Angkor Wat. The edifice was constructed in the image of Angkor Wat and displays similar decorations. Beng Mealea opened to the public in 2003, when a new road to it was constructed.

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Thunderstorm 35°/26°	Thunderstorm 35°/26°	Partly Cloudy 37°/27°	Partly Cloudy 35°/26°	Chance of a Thunderstorm 35°/27°

Ta Prohm Kel

ileana — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:55:27 +0000

Overview

Opening Times: 5am-6pm (Sunrise to sunset)
Duration: 15 minutes
Fees: $20-$60
Address: Angkor Palm, Siem Reap 82720, Cambodia
Type: Temple

The ruins of Ta Prohm Kel, placed near Angkor Wat, used to be a Buddhist temple. Although small and often missed by tourists, legend has it that a paralyzed beggar regained full function of his body in this place, thanks to Indra’s bull, Airavata. Ta Prohm Kel used to be a chapel for one of the many hospitals constructed by King Jayavarman VII. The still standing sandstone tower is also decorated in Bayon style, with carvings of devatas and tapestry medallions.

Ta Prohm Kel Photos

History

Ta Prohm Kel was constructed during the reign of Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century, as one of the two hospital chapels . During that time, the king built 102 hospitals in the region.

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Ta Nei

ileana — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:34:36 +0000

Overview

Opening Times: 5am-6pm (Sunrise to sunset)
Duration: 30 minutes
Fees: $20-$60
Address: Angkor Palm, Siem Reap 82720, Cambodia
Type: Temples

Ta Nei is a Buddhist stone temple from the Angkorian era, situated near the holy reservoir of East Barray. Most of its decorations, representative for the time of Jayavarman VII, are still well maintained. Among them are a battle scene with a horse rider and the blessing of two children. The ruins comprise of two moats and two gopuras, the central sanctuary and a few tiny galleries.

Ta Nei Photos

History

Ta Nei was built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII towards the end of the 12^th century. History has it that the initial purpose of the edifice was to serve as a hospital.

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Preah Ko

ileana — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:54:42 +0000

Overview

Opening Times: 5am-6pm (Sunrise to sunset)
Duration: 1 Hour
Fees: $20-$60
Address: Angkor Palm, Siem Reap 82720, Cambodia
Type: Temples

Preah Ko literally means Sacred Bull, and it refers to Shiva’s mount, Nandi. It was the very first temple built in the old capital of Hariharalaya (modern day Rolous).

The attraction consists of six towers in two rows, facing east. The structure is dedicated to three generations of Indravarman’s ancestors. The front central tower is dedicated to Jayavarman II, the founder of the Khmer empire. The towers in the center bear carvings of Shiva.

Preah Ko Photos

History

Preah Ko was constructed during the reign of Indravarman I, the nephew of Jayavarman I – founder of the Khmer Empire. Indravarman I wanted to build Preah Ko to honor the memory of his grandfather, whom he dedicated the edifice to in 879. Preah Ko was restored in the 1990s with German funds.

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Kbal Spean

ileana — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:39:55 +0000

Overview

Opening Times: 5am-3pm
Duration: 2 Hours
Fees: $20, separate to Ankor Archaelogical Park.
Address: Angkor Palm, Siem Reap 82720, Cambodia
Type: Carvings

More secluded than the other monuments of Angkor, on the slopes of the sacred mountain of Phnom Kulen there is a group of sandstone pieces bearing carvings of Hindu gods called Kbal Spean. Apart from the Hindu mythological motifs, the carvings also represent animals and birds.

The gods represented in the carvings are the Hindu trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva – as well as other important mythological figures and symbols, such as the lotus flower. Kbal Spean used to be known as the River of Thousands Lingams, because of the phallic Brahmanian symbols that are located along the river.

Kbal Spean Photos

History

The construction of Kbal Spean began during the reign of King Suryavarman I but it wasn’t completed until King Udayadityavarman II came to power. During the 11th and 12th century, the building expanded, with the former king responsible for the 1,000 lingas created at the very beginning, while the rest of the sculptures were made during the reign of the latter king. Discovered in 1969 by an ethnologist, it wasn’t until 1989 that Kbal Spean was opened to the public.

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Phnom Kulen National Park

ileana — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:22:37 +0000

Overview

Opening Times: 5am-6pm (Sunrise to sunset)
Duration: 2 Hours
Fees: $20, separate to Ankor Archaelogical Park.
Address: Angkor Palm, Siem Reap 82720, Cambodia
Type: National Park

Phnom Kulen National Park is located 50 km away from the rest of the attractions of the Angkorian Archaeological Park and represents the first pillar of the Khmer Empire. Historians theorize that it was here that Jayavarman II became the King of Kings and the father of the Khmer Empire.

Phnom Kulen Photos

Highlights

Chup Preah – This point of attraction is the valley of the sacred mountain where the waterfalls flow. In the area there is a tall Buddhist statue accompanied by other small statues dating back to the 16^th century. Guarding the valley, there is a 15 meter Cham Pa tree, 7 meters thick.
Linga 1000 – Linga 1000 is a gathering of phallic Hindu statues arranged along the river
Terrace of Sdach Kamlung – This platform that was once drowned in lava is now holding the ruins of an old brick temple.
Preah Ang Thom - Going further to the next attraction, you will find a sandstone representation of the god of Phnom Kulen in a reclining Buddha, Preah Ang Thom. Two Cham Pa trees are deeply rooted in the ground nearby. Finally, two waterfalls, one of 5 meters height and another of 20 meters, contribute to the beauty of the place.

History

In 802AD, Jayavarman II created Angkor through the unification of several small states at Phnom Kulen. Thus, the site became the birthplace of an era. Later that year, Jayavarman II declared himself the King of Kings, building a temple for his royal Hindu gods.

The historical and archaeological importance of the site has placed it on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and made it the object of a French architectural and community development project.

Weather for Siem Reap
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Thunderstorm 35°/26°	Thunderstorm 35°/26°	Partly Cloudy 37°/27°	Partly Cloudy 35°/26°	Chance of a Thunderstorm 35°/27°