FlyerTalk Forums - Suggestions for Angkor Wat

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Quote:

Originally Posted by YVR Cockroach (Post 8684914)

Angkor Thom is actually the large walled city complex that contains many temples, of which the Bayon which you are referring to is one. The faces are supposed to be of the king who had the temple erected. The faces are asymmetric as evidently two different teams were assigned to making the left and right parts.

For anyone interested, the book Ancient Angkor by Micheal Freeman and Claude Jacques is a must. Published by River Books Guides. ISBN 974 8225 27 5.

You're right, you're right, you're right. My mistake. I was thinking of the Bayon. Ashamed I couldn't remember that name correctly. The Angkor Thom complex as a whole is worth visiting, and stopping to give a close inspection to one of the many monumental gateways is a worthwhile diversion. Far and away my favorite part, though, was the Bayon.

I'd recommend The Treasures of Angkor from White Star Publishers. I bought one Stateside for $25+ and Mr. Megatop bought another, apparently legitimate, copy right in Angkor Thom for $4. No overhead, I guess. :rolleyes:

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTravel (Post 8652420)

We're planning a quick trip to Angkor Wat from Hong Kong in a couple of weeks. Any special tips, "must sees" that are off the beaten track, etc.?

Depends upon what you mean by "quick trip".

If one day... hire a good driver ( and you may also need to pay a separate guide" and they'll get you all the major sites in a very long day. Tell them you've only got one day.. and if you get a good driver.. .they'll know what to do. ( ta prohm, bayon, angkor wat, terraces/gates )

Some of the ones mentioned in earlier posts are very much worth visiting, but a bit of a trip out, or a hike to. ( banteay srei, beng mealea, kbal spean, phnom bakheng ) and I wouldn't do them unless I had a second or a third day at least. Hire a real CAR to avoid dust and cut down transit time. if possible, try to make time to stop at a Wedding or area outside of the main sites.

Depends if you are after quality or quantity. ( I've seen Japanese tourists who stop at the Bayon, go in far enough to take a picture or two.. and then exit and rush to the next destination. Never even noticing the bas-reliefs or 99% of the other features )