This section as intended as a
guide for visiting the monuments at Angkor. It can be either read in advance of
a visit or afterwards to reinforce the experience, or used at the sites to
enable the visitor to be an active spectator. Historical quotes from early
visitors to Angkor are included where appropriate to try to capture the spirit
of its past glory.
Legends and symbolism are also
included whenever feasible to give the visitor additional background for a
better appreciation of Angkor.
VISITING THE MONUMENTS
It is based on the amount of time
the visitor has to spend at Angkor and take into consideration the roads,
proximity of the temples, and favorable light conditions.
For some temples it is important
to begin at the principal entrance to perceive the space and decoration as the
builder intended, and entrances are indicated in the text. The monuments are
oriented according to the four points of a compass which can be used as a point
of reference. the temple of Angkor Wat is covered in detail in this book because
of its importance, complexity and size.
Angkor provides wonderful
photographic opportunities. the monuments and the surrounding jungle afford
unlimited textural and lighting opportunities for composing a picture.
Clouds are common and tend to diffuse
the light which is somewhat flat even though it is intense. As most of the
temples face east the best lighting conditions are in the morning except for
Angkor Wat where the best light is in the afternoon because it faces west. the
temples surrounded by jungle such as Ta Prohm and Prah Khan can be photographed
with good results when the sun is directly overhead and shining through the
foliage. Just as one is never prepared for the enormous size and overwhelming
beauty of Angkor, one is never ready to leave it. With photographs and visions
etched in memory, one need never say good-by to Angkor, for its magic will go
with you wherever fate and the gods may take you to colour your thoughts and
dreams to life's very end. The name of the monuments at Angkor are often modern
ones designated by Cambodians or early European travellers. In publications by
the French the enclosures of a temple are numbered starting from the central
sanctuary and progressing towards the enclosing walls. The system used in this book
reverses the order for the convenience of the visitor. Thus the first enclosing
wall the visitor encounters when entering a temple is number one. the numbers
ascend from the exterior to the interior of the monument. In many distances,
though, only traces of the enclosing walls, particularly the outer one, remain.
ADMISSION FEES
You must possess an admission
pass (an 'Angkor Pass') to visit the temples and sites in the Angkor
Archaeological Park. Passes may be purchased at the main entrance on the road to
Angkor Wat. One-day tickets only can be purchased at the secondary tollgate on
airport road entrance near Angkor Wat and at Banteay Srey.
Passes are sold in one-day ($20),
three-day ($40) and seven-day ($60) blocks that must be used on consecutive days.
Photo taken on the spot with free of charge is required at time of purchase.
Visiting hours are 5:00AM -
6:00PM. Angkor Wat closes at 6:00PM, Banteay Srey closes at 5:00PM and Kbal
Spean at 3:00PM. Always carry your ticket. It will be checked upon each park
entry and at major temples. There is a significant fine for not possessing a
valid ticket inside the park. A regular admission ticket is not required to
visit Phnom Kulen, Koh Ker or Beng Melea, but there is a separate entrance fee
of $20, $10 and $5, respectively.
