Best Temples In Cambodia

Tucked in between Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia is a stunning country in southeast Asia that has only been growing in popularity in terms of tourism. The beautiful mountains, jungles, beaches, and ocean are just some of the amazing things that are attracting more and more visitors to Cambodia every year.

Cambodia is also known for its amazing temples, of which there are around 4000. Now, no one has the time to see all 4000 temples in Cambodia on a trip, even in a lifetime. Instead of wondering which temples are worth visiting, here are the best temples in Cambodia to spend time at while you’re there.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is the poster child for the temples of Cambodia as is known as the best temple in Cambodia. If you’re going to visit just one temple in Cambodia, Angkor Wat is the one to go to.

You’ll find Angkor Wat in northwest Cambodia just near Tonle Sap lake. It’s the largest temple and religious complex in the entire world and its grounds encompass 162.6 hectares. The temple sits within a moat that is around 5kms long and within an outer wall that stretches 3.6 km.

The Angkor Wat temple was built way back in the early 1100s during the Angkor Empire under the orders of King Suryavarman II. It was originally designed to be a personal mausoleum for the King and was dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Towards the end of the 12th century, the temple was converted to a Buddhist Temple.

The architecture of Angkor Wat was built to represent Mount Meru, the home of Devas, and the Buddhist universe, the house of gods. There are three levels to the temple, carved into the walls are apsara figures dancing, and statues of Buddha and Devas.

It’s a very popular place to visit and is a large part of the country’s pride, so much so, it’s even on their flag. Entrance to the temple for a day costs around $37 US dollars and it’s open from 5 am so you can be there for sunrise and beat the crowds.