The Business and Pleasure of Angkor Wat

 

Hollywood often distorts reality for dramatic effect to pump up ticket sales. Movies, such as Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider, consolidated various Khmer temples, with additional props, to fit into their storylines. The movie industry is, after all, a business for profit.

As a result, many think that Angkor Wat is the only monument in this UNESCO World Heritage site with the faces of Bayon and the trees of Ta Prohm all in a single location. The truth is, Angkor Wat is one of the hundreds of temples in this ancient ruin site. It is, however, the most well-known.

Judging from the US$20 daily admission fee, the Angkor Archaeological Park is no small business either. The vast layout of the numerous temples built by the Khmer centuries ago serves the ticketing concessionaire well as one is often not able to visit the must-see sites within a single day. Some of the temples are more than 20km outside of the city center, and often take a day to travel for the visit. Hence, the majority of visitors opt for the 3-day pass for US$40.

Angkor Wat, the biggest religious monument in the world, is a half-day site, at least. Many visitors make the early trip (5am) just for the sunrise, and return later in the afternoon for a more extensive visit.

Although not as many go for the sunset here as compared to Phnom Bakheng, the sunset is no less amazing as the entire monument is bathed in an orange hue. The sunset crowd at Phnom Bakheng, usually in the hundreds, makes the experience more like being in a open market. The experience at Angkor Wat is much more serene and intimate.

Yes, the Angkor Archaeological Park is very commercialized with its steep entrance fee and the hordes of vendors trying to get as many dollars they can from tourists like you and me, who are arriving by the van and bus loads by the minute everyday.

However, if you can get pass the commercialism and arm yourself with the history of the Khmer, visiting Angkor Wat is truly a unique and spiritual experience.

Siem Reap Travel

 

Town/City	:	Siem Reap (暹粒)
Country	:	Cambodia (柬埔寨)
Other names	:
Province / District	:	Siem Reap (暹粒省)
Nearest local airport	:	Siem Reap International Airport (REP)
Nearest international airport	:	Siem Reap International Airport (REP)
Airport departure tax	:	International US$25 CASH, not included in airfare
Geographical orientation	:	Northwestern Cambodia
Surrounding tour venues	:	Angkor Archaeological Park
Currency for payment	:	Riel, US$ ( approx. 1US$ = 4,100 Riel)
Currency for exchange	:	All major currencies, including MYR & SGD
		(Use US$ as little need to use Riel)
Entry Permit / Visa	:	Not required for MY & SG passport holders
Electricity	:	220 volts / 2-prong plugs

 

 

SEASONS

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Peak

X

X

High

X

X

X

Low

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Cool

X

X

X

X

X

Hot

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Wet

X

X

X

X

X

 

TRANSPORTATION

Type	Rental Cost (US$)	Duration (hour)
Bicycle	1	24
Mountain Bike	2 – 3	24
Scooter (auto)	Not available	Not available
Sedan Car (auto)	Not available	Not available

 

Siem Reap	From Airport* (US$)	To Airport* (US$)
Tuk-Tuk / Truck Taxi	3 – 4	3 – 4
Taxi	5 – 7	5 – 7
Van	8 – 10	8 – 10

* Siem Reap International Airport (REP)

* Most guest houses or hotels provide free airport pickup

 

THINGS TO DO/SEE

• Visit religious monuments

• Go on a sunset cruise on Tonle Sap

• Attend cello concert every Saturday 7:15pm by Dr. Beat Richter at Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital

• Donate blood at a local blood bank

• Visit religious monuments

• Take a Khmer cooking class

• Enjoy a cultural dance performance of the Apsara

• Visit farms and villages

• Visit religious monuments

• Visit an orphanage

• Relax over a Khmer dinner and Angkor Beer

• Get a Khmer/Thai massage

• And, visit religious monuments

 

 

PLACES TO VISIT

(City attractions)

• Angkor National Museum – admission US12

• Cultural Village – admission US$12

(Out-of-city attractions)

• Angkor Wat – the biggest religious monument in the world #

• Angkor Thom – the ancient city of the Khmer empire #

• Bayon, Baphuon,  Phimeanakas, Phnom Bakheng, Preah Khan, Pre Rup, Ta Prohm, Ta Som, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, etc. #

• Beng Melea – jungle temple 60+km outside of city center

• Bantaey Srei – Citadel of Women/Beauty 30+km outside of city center #

• Kbal Spean – river of a thousand lingas 40+km outside of city center #

• Landmine Museum – admission US$2

• Floating villages

# Admission is included as part of the 1, 3, or 7-day pass sold at the park entrance

 

ITEMS TO BUY

• Silk

• Herbs and spices

• Local handicrafts

 

FOOD TO EAT / DRINK

• Amok Fish – fillet with spices  in coconut milk steamed in banana leaf

• Chicken and lemongrass soup

• Fish and morning glory (watercress) soup

• Any dish with shredded ginger: beef, chicken, and even fried rice

• Khmer curry fish, chicken, or pork

• Beef, chicken, or shrimp Lok Lak (stir-fried)

• Prahok Jien – stir-fried fermented fish paste with meat

• Grilled or steamed freshwater fish

• Fruits and vegetables similar to those in MY, SG, and TH

• Toasted baguette with grilled pork sausages and vegetable salad

• Local coffee (dark & strong with condensed milk like the rest of Southeast Asia)

 

A Temple on a Mountain

(September 2009 & February 2010)

“If you haven’t been to Doi Suthep, you haven’t been to Chiang Mai.”

That’s a common ‘advice’ you hear about visiting the 2nd biggest city in Thailand.

Although Doi Suthep translates to Mount Suthep, many refer to the temple on this mountain when they mention Doi Suthep. Officially, the temple is named Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

It’s a 25-minute journey by vehicle from Chiang Mai old city.

Locals flock to this temple on special religious occasions while tourists pack this place during the high season.

Besides the golden stupa and the 300-step dragon stairs, this temple is just like any of the other 60+ temples in Chiang Mai city. The only difference is that this temple is on a mountain.

(Note: the golden stupa was under renovation when I visited between Sep 2009 and Feb 2010.)

Don’t worry about the 300 steps. You can take a tram up to the temple.

Due to the less than favorable air quality in northern Thailand during the dry season, you are unlikely to see anything other than haze from Doi Suthep.

“If you have to skip a few attractions in Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep is one of them.”

That’s my advice.

Wat Rong Khun – The White Temple

This is no regular temple. This is a piece of art.

This temple is more like an architectural interpretation to showcase the chief designer/artist’s religious belief, rather than a place for religious worship.

Most who travel to Chiang Mai make the 1 day trip to the Golden Triangle. While passing Chiang Rai to the Golden Triangle, it’s customary to visit Wat Rong Khun. This is a popular spot for both local and foreign tourists.

As you walk towards the entrance, you’ll see hell with arms reaching up, followed by earth with a path leading to heaven inside the temple.

 

The entire building is painted white lined with reflective pieces of glass tiles.

His gallery, which faces the temple, is a display of his paintings and sculptures, some of which are worth millions of dollars, American Dollars! As with most galleries, cameras are prohibited.

It’s interesting to see that Superman, Batman, the space shuttle, Coke, Pepsi, and even George Bush junior are featured in the paintings. You can do your own interpretation on that.

The drive from Chiang Mai to Wat Rong Khun is about 1.5 hours before the town of Chiang Rai. Wat Rong Khun is, in my opinion, the highlight of the trip to the Golden Triangle.

After more than 10 years since work commenced, this is a piece of art still in progress.

Cool & Dry in Chiang Mai

(January – February 2010)

 

Avoid visiting Chiang Mai between November and February if you don’t like the tourist crowds, are not too particular about the condition of the weather or tourist destinations, and want to get a good deal on lodging and tour packages.

These 4 months are generally cool and dry which make for a comfortable time to visit the various botanical gardens in full bloom, the ever popular daily and weekend night markets, the temples, the elephant/monkey/snake/tiger parks, and the many waterfalls and farms outside this northern city.

Logically, these 4 months also see the largest number of tourists in and around Chiang Mai, including Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle.

During this high and peak tourist period, you can expect to pay 30% – 50% more on lodging and transportation. However, street vendors are normally very consistent in their attractive pricing throughout the year.

 

For the best lodging and tour deals, go in the months of September and October to also avoid the summer holiday travelers from western countries.