The temples of Angkor, built by the Khmer civilization between 802 and 1220 AD, represent one of humankind's most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements. From Angkor the Khmer kings ruled over a vast domain that reached from Vietnam to China to the Bay of Bengal. The structures one sees at Angkor today, more than 100 stone temples in all, are the surviving remains of a grand religious, social and administrative metropolis whose other buildings - palaces, public buildings, and houses - were built of wood and are long since decayed and gone.
Angkor Wat, built during the early years of the 12th century by Suryavaram II, honors the Hindu god Vishnu and is a symbolic representation of Hindu cosmology. Consisting of an enormous temple symbolizing the mythic Mt. Meru, its five inter-nested rectangular walls and moats represent chains of mountains and the cosmic ocean. The short dimensions of the vast compound are precisely aligned along a north-south axis, while the east-west axis has been deliberately diverted 0.75 degrees south of east and north of west, seemingly in order to give observers a three day anticipation of the spring equinox.
Unlike other temples at Angkor, Ta Prohm has been left as it was found, preserved as an example of what a tropical forest will do to an architectural monument when the protective hands of humans are withdrawn. Ta Prohm's walls, roofs, chambers and courtyards have been sufficiently repaired to stop further deterioration, and the inner sanctuary has been cleared of bushes and thick undergrowth, but the temple has been left in the stranglehold of trees. Having planted themselves centuries ago, the tree's serpentine roots pry apart the ancient stones and their immense trunks straddle the once bustling Buddhist temple. Built in the later part of the 12th century by Jayavarman VII, Ta Prohm is the terrestrial counterpart of the star Eta Draconis the Draco constellation.
During half-millennia of Khmer occupation, the city of Angkor became a pilgrimage destination of importance throughout Southeastern Asia. Sacked by the Thais in 1431 and abandoned in 1432, Angkor was forgotten for a few centuries. Wandering Buddhist monks, passing through the dense jungles, occasionally came upon the awesome ruins. Recognizing the sacred nature of the temples but ignorant of their origins, they invented fables about the mysterious sanctuaries, saying they had been built by the gods in a far ancient time. Centuries passed, these fables became legends, and pilgrims from the distant reaches of Asia sought out the mystic city of the gods. A few adventurous European travelers knew of the ruins and stories circulated in antiquarian circles of a strange city lost in the jungles. Most people believed the stories to be nothing more than legend however, until the French explorer Henri Mouhot brought Angkor to the world's attention in 1860. The French people were enchanted with the ancient city and beginning in 1908 funded and superbly managed an extensive restoration project. The restoration has continued to the present day, excepting periods in the 70's and 80's when military fighting prevented archaeologists from living near the ruins.
Orthodox archaeologists sometimes interpret the temples of the Angkor complex as tombs of megalomaniacal kings yet in reality those kings designed and constructed the temples as a form of service to both god and their own subjects. The temples were places not for the worship of the kings but rather for the worship of god. Precisely aligned with the stars, constructed as vast three dimensional yantras and adorned with stunningly beautiful religious art, the Angkor temples were instruments for assisting humans in their realization of the divine.
Getting to Siem Reap(Angkor Wat):By air:
Most people arrive in Siem Reap by air directly from neighboring countries. Siem Reap's small airport is only a few minutes from town
Bangkok Airways Flies from Bangkok to Siem Reap directly.
Jet Star Asia One of Singapore's own home grown budget carriers. We've actually found flying with Jet Star to be a rather pleasant experience. See our complete review of Jet Star Asia for more information.
PMT Air Cambodian airline with a small international network to neighboring countries.
Royal Khmer Airlines Services both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. International destinations include Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi.
Silk Air This Singaporean airline flies from Singapore to both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Vietnam Airlines The Viet national carrier flies to both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
In addition to the above, other airlines include Angkor Airlines, China Eastern, Kampuchea Airlines...
By bus/Train - Through Aranya PrathetBangkok-Aranya Prathet
By Train:Take the number 275 train, leaving Hua Lampong Train Station at 05:55 AM. Trains in Thailand generally offer a much more scenic view of the countryside, however, they usually take a longer time to reach their destination. The trip to Aranya Prathet takes about 6 hours. Both first and second-class train cars are air-conditioned and comfortable. Third-class is not suggested for the traveler looking for a comfortable ride, as it is often hot, crowded, and the seats are very small and uncomfortable wooden benches. The prices are as follows:
First-class 222 baht
Second-class 111 baht
Third-class 48 baht
By Bus:Take the number 60 or 921 bus from Moh Chit 2 bus station.
These buses leave every hour, taking about 4 hours to get to Aranya Prathet, and are available in two classes. Both first and second-class buses are air-conditioned, with adequately comfortable seating. The 921 bus is a more direct route, and about a half-hour shorter. These buses are priced as follows:
First-class – No. 60 (Blue) – 160 baht
No. 921 (Blue) – 144 baht
Second-class – No. 60 (Orange) – 125 baht
No. 921 (Orange) – 112 baht
Aranya Prathet-Siem ReapOnce you get to Aranya Prathet, your trip is far from over. After a short tuk-tuk to the border, which should be around 40 baht, you cross in to Poipet, Cambodia, where the real adventure begins. In Poipet, transportation is readily available at the traffic circle just past the border checkpoint. There should be a number of pickup trucks there, many of which will have English-speaking drivers. You will have to change trucks in Sisophon, however, if you pay your driver up front, he will arrange through transportation to Siem Reap. The fare is generally in the range of 200 baht. Although the entire trip from Poipet to Siem Reap is only just over 200km, it takes around 7.5 hours due to horrific road conditions. The road from Poipet to Sisophon is bad, and winds through areas that are still scattered with land mines; however, once you get on the road from Sisophon to Siem Reap, conditions markedly worsen. Roads are barely passable wide, dirt paths with ridiculously large potholes. Many of the bridges no longer function, or are in hazardously poor condition. Additionally, from the middle portion of the road onwards, AK-47 toting terrorists stop the truck to collect impromptu “tolls”. For this reason, travelers are advised to carry little amounts of cash, and no valuables. Also, for very real safety reasons, this entire trip must be made during daylight hours. Plan accordingly, so that you arrive in Aranya Prathet as early as possible. If you do not reach Cambodia by 10:00AM, delay your trip for a day. Also, if you plan to travel by land, tell someone before leaving, giving them your dates of travel and a copy of your passport. If you are not back by the return date, have them call the proper Embassy. This is for safety reasons, and although the situation in Cambodia is improving, there is still a need for some concern.
(Source: Thailand.com)
Budget Hotels in Siem Reap!Bou Savy GuesthouseRange: $6 - $18
Price includes breakfast. Family run guesthouse a bit off Route #6 in a quiet, green area. Big rooms. Restaurant. Internet service.
Just off Route #6 down a small road next to Wat Kesararam, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tel: +(855) (0)63-964967,+(855) (0)12-898627
E-mail:
services@bousavyguesthouse.com Web Site:
www.bousavyguesthouse.com 
Divine Lotus InnRange: $3 - $15
Brand new budget hotel just south of the Old Market area in a quiet area. Fan and a/c rooms with CTV, fridge and en suite bathroom, some with hot water. Restaurant. All travel and tours services available.
Just south of the Old Market area
Tel: +(855) (0)16-611699, +(855) (0)90-828628, +(855) (0)13-780808
Earthwalkers’ Range: $5 - $35
Western Managed. Relaxed atmosphere. Friendly staff. Clean. Garden with swimming pool. Lush garden with hammocks. Cozy bar and restaurant. Pool table. Travelers information. All rooms with en suite bathroom and hot water. Breakfast included. Visa/AMEX/MC/JCB
Off Route #6 (Airport Road) in a quiet area, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tel: +(855) (0)12-967901, +(855) (0)63-760107
E-mail:
mail@earthwalkers.no Web Site:
www.earthwalkers.no
European GuesthouseRange: $8 - $18
Swedish family managed. Relaxed atmosphere. Friendly staff. Clean rooms. Gar- den with hammocks, fish pond. Crocodile farm. Cozy bar and restaurant. Quiet area, in town.
Wat Bo area, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tel: +(855) (0)12-582237, +(855) (0)92-508408
E-mail: :
european.guesthouse@gmail.com Website:
www.europeanguesthouse-siemreap.com 
Garden Village GuesthouseRange: $3 - $15
Long established budget/backpacker guesthouse in a quiet neighborhood. $1 dorm beds. Lots of services. Restaurant. Bar. Tour services. Good value.
#434, Stung Thmei Village, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tel: +(855) (0)12-217373,+(855) (0)12-299000
E-mail:
gardenvillage@asia.comWebsite:
www.gardenvillageguesthouse.com 
Home Sweet Home Range: $5 - $25
Friendly, very clean hotel. Upstairs rooms with hardwood floors. Good little restaurant. Internet access. Good value.
Wat Bo area, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tel: +(855) (0)12-824626, +(855) (0)12-939856
Tel/Fax: +(855) (0)63-760279
E-mail:
reservation@homesweethomeangkor.comWeb Site:
www.homesweethomeangkor.com 
Ivy GuesthouseRange: $6 - $15
Charming budget and a/c rooms, in a chilled garden setting with great Ivy food, all in the heart of Siem Reap town.
Just off the riverfront road near Phsar Kandal, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Tel: +(855) (0)12-602930, +(855) (0)12-800860
E-mail:
ivyasia@hotmail.com Web Site:
www.talesofasia.com 
