5 Must See Templesin Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap is the most popular tourist destination in Cambodia, and the temples of Angkor Archaeological Park attract millions of visitors every year. Most people will have heard of the legendary Angkor Wat, but there are many temples located in Siem Reap and surrounding provinces which are also worth visiting.

- William Lake

The temples in Cambodia were built by kings during the Khmer Empire, or what is known as the Angkor Period. The Angkor kings built up a vast empire which covered Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. During this time, they built huge reservoirs, canals, large cities, and the largest religious monument the world has ever seen.

ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE

The magnificent Angkor Wat is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the largest religious monument in the world. It was built in the early part of the 12th century by King Suryavarman II and was dedicated to Vishnu, a Hindu god. However, by the end of the 12th century, it had been converted into a Buddhist temple.

Angkor Wat was built to represent Mount Meru, the home of the Hindu Gods. The five towers represent the five peaks of the mountain, the walls symbolize the surrounding mountain range, and the moat represents the ocean.

Angkor Wat is famous for its extensive carvings which mainly depict stories from Hindu epics. On the east gallery, you can see the famous "Churning of the Sea of Milk" scene with carvings of 88 devas and 92 asuras churning the sea under the guidance of the great Vishnu.

KOH KER TEMPLE

Located around 120km away from Siem Reap, Koh Ker is far less crowded than the temples near Siem Reap town. The peaceful surroundings and Koh Ker's unique place in Khmer history makes Koh Ker one of the most fascinating temples in Siem Reap province.