Journey to Angkor Wat: Mysterious ruins eroded by forest

Angkor Wat, located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, is one of the most captivating and mysterious ancient ruins in the world.

Ever since I read about Angkor Wat in a world history book during elementary school, I wanted to visit this magnificent site in Cambodia. 

The thought of the mysterious ruins, gradually eroded by the forest over the years, captivated my imagination. I dreamed of the day I would finally witness this wonder with my own eyes.

This experience is something I will cherish forever, and I am excited to share the details of my visit to Angkor Wat.

Entering Cambodia from Thailand by Land

The Thai national bus that departed from Bangkok at 9 AM arrived at the Thai border around 2 PM. After crossing into Cambodia, it reached Siem Reap, where Angkor Wat is located, around 6 PM. As I walked down the street, a Tuktuk driver immediately approached me, and I asked him for a nearby budget guesthouse. After checking in, I set out to explore Siem Reap. I had dinner, which included fried frog, and then treated myself to a massage to heal my tired body from the long journey. I then rested for the day. The next morning, I left the guesthouse at 4 AM while the sky was still dark and headed to Angkor Wat with the Tuktuk driver I had booked the day before.

What is Angkor Wat?

Angkor Wat, a historic temple complex in Cambodia, was built by the Khmer dynasty in the early 12th century. It is a Hindu temple and registered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The temple complex itself covers an area of ​​about 162.6 hectares (1.626 square kilometers), the surrounding moat is about 190 meters wide, and the total length is about 5.5 kilometers. Even in the central part alone, there are huge towers, corridors, and shrines, and it is so large that it is impossible to see everything in one day.

This time, I bought a one-day ticket and planned to watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat and then see the popular Ta Prohm and Bayon Temple.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

When I booked a tuktuk to go to Angkor Wat the day before, I was picked up at 4 AM because the sunrise at Angkor Wat is world-famous for its breathtaking beauty.

Upon arrival, there was already a long line at the ticket window with tourists from all over the world, gathered to witness the sunrise, even though it was the off-season. Despite the early hour and the crowd, the sunrise at Angkor Wat was absolutely worth seeing. 

The first light of dawn illuminated the temple's towers, creating a stunning reflection in the nearby pool. The combination of ancient stonework and the soft morning light made for an unforgettable experience.

It was spectacular to see the silhouette of Angkor Wat emerge as the dawn sky turned red and orange. (It was worth getting up early.) In particular, the Angkor Wat in the reflection pond was beautiful, and I was able to capture a fantastic moment.

Ta Prohm ruins eroded by forest

Angkor Wat is located in the dense forests of Cambodia, and as a result, many parts of it are eroded by forest. Among them, Ta Prohm is known as the "jungle temple" because of the large trees that are entangled in the ruins, and the way the roots of the giant trees cover the stone buildings is very mysterious. 

This temple became famous as for the movie "Tomb Raider", and its fantastic atmosphere attracts many tourists.

Angkor Thom

Built at the end of the 12th century, Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Khmer Empire, and its name means "big city" in Khmer. At the center of Angkor Thom is Bayon Temple, and other important buildings include Baphuon Temple, Phimeanakas Palace, and the Royal Palace. Its layout is based on religious and cosmological principles.

Bayon Temple

Bayon Temple is part of the Angkor ruins in Cambodia and is located at the center of Angkor Thom (Great Angkor Fortress).  The temple has 54 towers, each of which is carved with a huge face facing in all four directions. These faces appear to be calm and smiling, giving visitors a mystical impression. Detailed reliefs depicting the history and daily life of the Khmer dynasty are carved on the walls of Bayon Temple. Diverse scenes are carved, including war scenes and market scenes.

Preah Khan

Many pagodas and Buddha statues are scattered throughout the vast grounds, and the temple is characterized by its beautiful architecture and grand scale. In the center of the temple, a huge pagoda stands, and many stone monuments and reliefs can be seen around it. Gardens and waterways spread out around the temple, allowing you to enjoy beautiful scenery in harmony with nature.

People at Angkor Wat

When I was walking alone in this place, many people approached me with smiles. Even though I didn't ask, they offered to guide and take me to photo spots, then charged me tips and fees. So, when someone talked to me with a smile, I had to immediately say "no thank you" and leave. However, children selling souvenirs called out. I said "No thanks" many times, but one girl kept following me and said "Juumai ichidoru" (10 pieces for 1 US dollar in Japanese), so I bought a postcard. Once other kids saw this, ladies selling silk, men selling toys, and even elderly people from somewhere gathered around me and asked for tips, so I ran away.

Summary

Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia, is a vast temple ruin built in the early 12th century. It is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world to witness the beautiful scenery that harmonizes with nature. Since reading a book about Angkor Wat as a child, I had always dreamed of visiting. Finally, my dream came true, and seeing the ruins eroded by the forest was truly impressed. I felt incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to come here.