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.
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