When it comes to Cambodia, we must talk about the Angkor temples. Anyone who comes to Siem Reap will be amazed by the numerous temple ruins within a radius of 10 kilometers. These magnificent and ancient buildings remind us of the prosperity and grandeur of the former Khmer Empire.

Angkor Wat: One of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The largest temple in the world took 30 years to complete and is Cambodia's national treasure. Its status is comparable to Paris' Eiffel Tower. Due to its massive scale, it is considered one of the 'Oriental Wonders' alongside the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.

The best way to experience Angkor Wat is to wake up at 5 a.m. to watch the sunrise. Unfortunately, we weren't lucky that day, and it was cloudy, so we missed the spectacular 'dawn' of Angkor Wat. Standing on the riverbank opposite Angkor Wat, it wasn't as magnificent as we imagined. As we slowly walked towards it, we gradually began to appreciate its grandeur.

Especially when wandering through the corridors and pillars, and appreciating the exquisite carvings on the stones, it's hard to imagine how such complex architectural structures were built with stone blocks. Although Angkor Wat has been damaged by the ravages of time, it still stands firm today, captivating all who see it.

Baphuon Temple: 'The Smile of the Khmer.'

Just like Baphuon, this temple's name may not immediately ring a bell for everyone. I renamed it 'The Smile of the Khmer' to help you remember it. The temple is shaped like a smiling human face, and the Baphuon is considered one of its classic masterpieces.

This is the last major temple built during the Khmer Dynasty, and it was built by King Jayavarman VII. The temple is located at the center of Wat Phnom, highlighting its importance within the Khmer Dynasty.

The temple boasts five-four stone towers, each with a face carved into it, and each face is a 'smile'. If you observe carefully, you'll find that each smile is unique, allowing you to indirectly feel the King's absolute confidence and pride.

Ta Prohm Temple: 'The Tomb Raider' Movie Filming Location.

Many people know this temple because of the movie 'Tomb Raider', and even the movie 'Angkor Wat' and the Hollywood blockbuster 'Tomb Raider' were filmed here. So what is it about this temple that has earned the favor of so many films?

After the collapse of the Khmer Empire, the capital was abandoned for 400 years, and these past glories were submerged in the surrounding jungle until it was rediscovered by French explorer Louis-Gabriel Caignet in 1858. 400 years can allow a seed in the cracks of the wall to grow into a tree, and the symbiosis between the tree and the temple has created the 'tree-encased house' phenomenon we see today at Ta Prohm.

The labyrinthine architectural structure also gives a sense of exploration and mystery, and the scattered stone blocks and the holes left by the theft of jewels further highlight the temple's vicissitudes and sorrow.

Srei Temple: Temple with a Greek-style architecture.

Many statues hold a god's sword, hence the name of this temple. However, only 5 complete statues remain, as during wartime, people were extremely poor, so they often took the head of a Buddha statue to repay debts. This sense of incompleteness evokes a feeling of sadness.

This temple was built by the king for his father, which is different from other temples. A notable aspect is the incorporation of Western architectural features, such as double-columned pillars, similar to the architecture of Athens.

The outer walls also feature two ancient trees that have merged with the temple's stone, but people were worried that the growing trees would damage the temple, so they took measures to protect the trees, and couldn't help but lament the wondrous magic of nature.

Preah Khan Reservoir: Temple surrounded by water.

Preah Khan Reservoir is one of the few temples in Siem Reap surrounded by water. The presence of water always adds a spiritual atmosphere to the place. To reach the temple, you need to cross a long wooden bridge, where you can see the beautiful scenery of the East Baray lake. Especially under the blue sky and white clouds, it is even more poetic.

However, what's even more surprising is that it was originally a hospital with 5 different healing pools, but due to management reasons, only one remains. In the center of the pool sits a very small temple, which is like a small island floating in the water. Because it differs significantly from other temples in Siem Reap, it will give tourists a different visual impact.

Banteay Kdei Temple: Temple with a small number of visitors and high aesthetic value.

This temple is relatively niche, and many people don't remember its name, but it doesn't hinder its high aesthetic value. The temple is located near the Royal Bathing Pool, and according to legend, it was where the King and Queen rested after swimming. Therefore, the wall paintings here are very exquisite, with many graceful dancing fairies carved on them, which is a pleasure to watch.

Furthermore, there is also a well-preserved square courtyard with rectangular frames and exquisite carvings around it. Although it is ancient, it can still provide a glimpse of the opulence of the past.

Without the noisy tour groups, this place gives you a quiet feeling. You can wander through the various interlocking corridors and halls, experiencing a brief moment of time travelling through the temple.

Ta Som Temple: The only temple with cats.

This is the only temple in Siem Reap that I encountered a cat, and in the afternoon, a few cats were lying on stone door sills, seemingly ignoring the surrounding tourists. Maybe because the temple is relatively small and few people visit, they can enjoy a period of uninterrupted time.

This temple was built for a brave general named Ta Som, and it is also a filming location for 'Tomb Raider'. The architectural style is similar to Baphuon, with 'smiles' to be seen in the towers. In addition, the stone carvings here are still relatively complete, and you can see 'ear-dropping goddesses' carvings.

Besides, the combination of framed doorways with light and shadow can take out very layered and spacious photos. You can also see the wondrous 'tree-encased house' phenomenon here.

Banteay Mey Temple: A temple with a beautiful sunset view.

Unlike Angkor Wat, which is best viewed at sunrise, Banteay Mey is best viewed at sunset. After missing the sunrise, we were lucky enough to see the sunset. This ancient temple with a history of 900 years has become one of the few places in Siem Reap to watch the sunset. It offers a beautiful view of the setting sun falling into the dense jungle.

The temple is relatively high, so the view is very wide, without any obstruction, you can see the beautiful sunset. The temperature in Siem Reap is very high, and you can only see beautiful and warm moments in this time.

Conclusion

This list provides a glimpse of eight distinctive temples in Siem Reap. But the fascinating stories of the Khmer Empire are hidden in many more temples, waiting for us to explore and discover. We believe that these ancient architectural civilizations will also bring you the same feelings of moving and shock.