Angkor Wat★★★
Täglich 5:00–17:30 Uhr
Im Angkor-Pass enthalten (37/62/72 USD)
Angkor Wat — The Largest Religious Structure in the World
Angkor Wat is more than a temple — it is the national symbol of Cambodia (it adorns the flag!) and the largest religious structure ever built by humans. Constructed between 1113 and 1150 under King Suryavarman II, originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, later converted into a Buddhist sanctuary.
The Numbers
- Area: 162.6 hectares (larger than the Vatican)
- Moat: 190 m wide, 5.5 km circumference — with crocodiles!
- Central Tower: 65 m high
- Bas-reliefs: Over 800 meters of gallery walls with reliefs depicting Hindu epics (Mahabharata, Ramayana) and historical battles
- Apsara Dancers: Over 1,800 individually carved figures on the walls — no two are alike
- Construction Time: About 37 years, 300,000 workers, 6,000 elephants for transporting stone
What You Must See
- Sunrise: THE experience. Position yourself to the left of the northern lotus pool (less crowded than the southern one). Be there from 5:00 AM. The silhouette of the five towers, mirrored in the pool, as the sky turns orange and pink — unforgettable.
- Bas-relief Gallery (3rd Level): The southern gallery depicts the Battle of Kurukshetra (Mahabharata), the western one the "Churning of the Ocean of Milk" — a masterpiece where 92 demons and 88 gods pull on the Naga serpent body.
- Bakan (Central Tower): The steep stairs (70° incline!) to the highest level. Max. 100 visitors at a time, waiting times up to 45 min. Worth it for the panoramic view! Shorter wait times in the afternoon.
💡 Tipp
Return to the temple after sunrise around 7:00–7:30 AM. The tourist buses arrive from 8:30 AM — in the meantime, you have the galleries almost to yourself. Or come in the afternoon from 3:00 PM when the groups are gone. The light is then most beautiful on the west side (main entrance).
