Joanna James
Known as the Kingdom of Wonder, Cambodia is home to many world-famous temples, a magnificent Royal Palace and natural attractions of low-lying plains, fine mountains and the richness provided by the Mekong Delta. Find insights into some of the unique sites you must experience when in Cambodia.
Aptly named the Terrace of Elephants due to the numerous carved elephants adorning this 350 m long and 2.5 m high wall making it an eye-catching one, this terrace had been built in the 12th century. It had been a viewing platform for the reigning king of Cambodia during that period, King Jayavarman VII to view his victorious army returning home. The terrace had been attached to the Royal Palace of Phimeanakas at the heart of the Khmer capital, Angkor Thom. Visiting this beautiful terrace is one of the important Siem Reap things to do.
The largest and the best-preserved monument from the Angkor group of monuments this masterpiece in architecture portrays perfect composition, proportions, balance, sculpture and relief making it rank amongst some of the finest monuments in the world. This temple complex was first built in the first half of the 12th century and fully completed 30 years later by King Suryavarman II is situated about 06km north of Siem Reap within the confines of Angkor Archaeological Park and has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. This is a site frequented by many visitors from Anantara Angkor Resort.
Also called Banteay Samre, this is a lovely 10th-century temple with intricate carvings on the sculptures, friezes and lintels with fine details making it a beautiful structure. The walls too carry fine carvings. Being made of pink sandstone the complex encompasses a hall, a temple and two, libraries. An interior moat with laterite paving which when filled with water would have exuded an ethereal aura to the temple.
Meaning Citadel of Chambers, Banteay Kdei is a Buddhist temple in Angkor built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII in the 13th century AD. Believed to follow Bayon architectural features this temple was inhabited by monks until the 1960s. Sprawling across Angkor Archaeological Area the compound walls of the temple are of laterite stone. The sculptures of the temple are believed to follow ancient Buddhist traditions.
A scenic baray or an ancient Khmer reservoir which is best witnessed at sunrise, Srah Srang is situated to the east of Banteay Kdei. Landings were built at different levels on the western part of the reservoir each of them adorned by carved nagas (serpents) and guardian lions. A large garuda on a three-headed serpent sits on a platform with carvings of many other mythical creatures. When the water levels recede during the dry season, the remnants of a mound temple become visible to onlookers signalling the presence of an ancient temple. Sran Srang is an ideal location to view the magnificent sunrise and is a soothing and calm place much less crowded than the more famous Angkor Wat.
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