Walking Tour 1: Siem Reap Wat (3 km)

 

The town of Siem Reap was formed by many villages. Each of these had or have their own wat, or pagoda. After Angkorian temples, visit the lively town wat sitting along the Siem Reap river. The 3 kilometre walk can be done by foot, bicycle or moto.

1. Wat Preah An Kau Sai
Behind Wat An Kau Sai's yellow main hall, Angkorian ruins can be found.

2. Wat Preah An Kau Saa

3. Wat Po Lanka
Do not miss the mural paintings in Wat Po Lanka's airy main hall.

4. Preah Ang Chek and Preah Ang Chorn Shrine and Ya Tep Shrine
The Preah Ang Chek and Preah Ang Chorn Shrine is one of the most important shrines in Siem Reap. It contains two standing Buddhas. The Ya Tep Shrine is located close to the Preah Ang Chek and Preah Ang Chorn shrine. The Ya Tep shrine sits under a very large tree, on a small round-about in the middle of traffic.

5. Wat Bo
Wat Bo is one of Siem Reap's oldest pagodas. It was founded in the 18th century. Old mural paintings, said to date back to the 19th century, can be found here.

6. Wat Preah Prom Rath
Located in Siem Reap's historic district, this pagoda was founded around 1915.

7. Wat Damnak
Today Wat Damnak is not only a religious centre, but also houses the Centre for Khmer Studies and its library.

 

 

Walking Tour 2: Temples Less Travelled (25 km, Try Cycling...)

 

1. Prasat Kravan

Builder: Hashavarman I

Consecration stele: 921 AD

Cult: Brahmanism (Vishnu)

This prasat is often ignored as it is the last one or first one from Siem Reap, depending on which way the tour buses go. Most guidebooks and guides tend to overlook the five ochre brick towers. Restored in the 1960s, Kravan is the only temple with bas-relief cut into bricks. Pay respect to the superb representations of Vishnu and Laksmi.

2. Banteay Samre

Builders: Suryavarman II & Yasovarman II

Consecration stele:12th century

Cult: Brahmanism (Vishnu)

On your way to the famed Citadel of Women (Banteay Srei), rest your legs at the Citadel of the Samre, an eastern Mon-Khmer aboriginal group that inhabited the Kulen Plateaux. This classic temple was built shortly after Angkor Wat and welcomes pilgrims with a 200 meter long causeway lined Naga balustrade. Admire some of the best preserved Buddhist iconography in Angkor.

3. Krol Ko

Builder: Jayavarman VII

Consecration stele: 12th century

Cult: Bhuddism

The boddhisatva of compassion, Lokesvara, looks down upon the "Cow Enclosure", in the company of Khrisna who shelters herders and their flocks.

4. Banteay Prei

Builder: Jayavarman VII

Consecration stele: 12th century

Cult: Bhuddism

Located 150 metres north of the smaller Prasat Prei (Temple of the Forest), the Citadel of the Forest follows the architectural style of the Bayon and its overflowing decorations. Half of the four story superstructures are still standing watched over by lone temple guards.

5. Preah Pithu

Consecration stele: 12th century

Cult: Brahmanism and Buddhism

These four Hinduist and a Buddhist temples were not built around the same period. The decorations are incomplete but there are noteworthy carvings of the Churning of the Sea of Milk, Hindu deities, devatas as well as floral motifs.

6. Kleang

Builders: Jayavarman V (North) & Suryavarman I (South)

Consecration stele:11th century

The two kleang (warehouse), given their monumental sizes, meticulous architecture and beautiful ornamentations, are best described as royal warehouses rather than storerooms. The Kleang may have also been used as palaces for visiting high ranking dignitaries and foreign emissaries.

7. Prasat Bei

Consecration stele: 10th century

Cult: Brahmanism (Shiva)

The "Temple of the Three (Towers)" was never completed. The side towers rise just above the level of the doors. A three headed elephant is visible on lintel of the central tower.

 

8. Prasat Thma Bay Kaek

Consecration stele: 10th century

Cult: Brahmanism

The Temple of the Stone for Rice to Feed the Crows is located by the moat of Angkor Thom. A single square tower made of bricks stands at the centre. To the east, a terrace with laterite benches which used to be covered with sandstone blocks, probably served to feed crows.

 

9. Baksei Chamkrong

Builders: Harshavarman I - Rajendravarman II

Consecration stele: 10th century

Cult: Brahmanism (Shiva)

The temple's name literally means "waiting under the bird". Legend says that a bird protected the King from his enemies under his wings. One of the first temples of brick and laterite used to house a golden statue of Lord Shiva. The pyramid is only thirteen meters high, but the neat trick of proportional reduction (the higher steps are shorter). Avoid climbing as you would likely fall and damage the temple further.

10. Ta Prom Kel

Builders: Jayavarman VII

Consecration stele: 12th century

Cult: Buddhism

A chapel associated with one of the many hospitals built by our greatest King (102 for the city of Angkor alone). "He felt his subjects’ afflictions more than his own; for the suffering of the people is the suffering of the King."