There are few places in the world that you can travel to that are more beautiful that Angkor Wat Cambodia. After all, the ruins of the temples at Angkor Wat provide a view into the lives of the Cambodian people for hundreds of years.
- Angkor Wat CambodiaStuck in Customs / Water Photos / CC BY-NC-SA
Located in Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is the most popular tourist destination in Cambodia and with good reason. It took more than four centuries to build Angkor Wat in all its might and glory, and was a task undertaken by the Khmer Kings between the 9th and 13th centuries CE. And when you’re ready to travel to these beautiful temples, you should remember the following information to make your trip more pleasurable.
- You will do a great deal of walking when you visit Angkor Wat Cambodia. It is important to bring not only comfortable walking shoes, but also extra socks, an umbrella, a light jacket, and other necessities. The weather can change in an instant, and much of Angkor Wat is uncovered.
- Respect is essential when visiting the temples. Although the temples at Angkor Wat are no longer functioning for daily use, the complex is the national symbol of Cambodia and Cambodian heritage. Littering, graffiti, and inappropriate actions on this property are not well-tolerated.
- Take photographs, but nothing else. Taking a rock, a piece of broken stone, and other objects that you may come across at Angkor Wat Cambodia is both wrong and illegal. Tourists should remember to take plenty of photographs and make plenty of memories but to leave everything else behind.
- Although a personal visit to Angkor Wat can provide a lovely experience, the use of an experienced guide or tour group can enrich your experience tenfold. Visitors to Angkor Wat who come on a tour are provided with extra background, history, and interpretation of the site that otherwise does not exist.
- Bringing along a map of the site to help you locate specific sites can also enrich your experience. Maps of the site, as well as informational tools, are available online to help you learn more in advance and understand how to interpret what you are looking at.
- Don’t forget to wander. The complex of temples at Angkor Wat is vast and while staying on the beaten path and following other tourists around can lead you to the most exquisite examples of art and architecture, you may find hidden gems if you are willing to explore areas away from the crowds. Spending more time at doorways and arches may help you to comprehend the true majesty, beauty and craftsmanship of the work.
Remember, a visit to Angkor Wat Cambodia is like stepping into a time machine into the historical religious past of the country. The site is highly revered by locals, and can be a tool of great learning and a part of the perfect vacation if you handle yourself and your visit according to local customs and expectations.
