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You can't fully appreciate the magnificence of Angkor by just visiting briefly and then leaving. That's why I spent an entire day in Angkor, from before sunrise until the last faint rays faded, to fully embrace the mystical beauty of this structure, considered the symbol of Cambodia.
Many tourists flocked to Angkor to witness the sunrise firsthand.
Angkor Wat in the gentle morning sunlight of early spring.
The Khmer king Suryavarman II built Angkor Wat in the early 12th century. Initially constructed as a Hindu temple of the Khmer Empire, it gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple by the end of the 12th century. The best-preserved in the region, Angkor Wat is the only temple that has retained its central religious significance. The temple represents the pinnacle of Khmer architectural style.
Angkor Wat today is an important pilgrimage site for people in the Buddhist country of Cambodia.
The sacred Buddha statues stand majestically in this mystical setting.
In addition, there are statues that were destroyed due to socio-political reasons during the Cambodian civil war.
A special moment inside Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat combines two fundamental elements of Khmer architecture: temple-mountain architecture along with long, narrow corridors. This architecture symbolizes Mount Meru, the home of the gods in Hindu mythology: situated within a moat and a 3.6 km long wall is the three-tiered main temple with a rectangular structure, connected by deep corridors.
The magic of Angkor Wat never fails to impress us.
On the walls surrounding Angkor Wat, the Khmer kings commissioned the carving of exquisite bas-reliefs depicting battles and the lifestyle of the ancient Angkorians. This is considered an invaluable research document they left for posterity.
There are a huge number of exquisitely crafted Apsara goddess sculptures here.
After lunch, we began exploring the central temples at Angkor Wat. At the heart of the temple complex are five towers: a central tower and four at the four corners of a square. Unlike other Angkor-style temples, Angkor Wat faces west, and there is still no consensus on the meaning of this. The temple is admired for its majestic and harmonious architecture, the richness of its sculptures, and the large number of deities adorning its stone walls.
Gentle afternoon sunlight streams through the windows at Angkor Wat.
Despite Angkor Wat attracting many tourists, it's not difficult to find tranquility and peace in many corners of the site.
Regarding tourism in Angkor:Traveling to Cambodia from Ho Chi Minh City is quite convenient and easy. You'll take a bus from Ho Chi Minh City, through the Moc Bai border gate (Tay Ninh province), to Phnom Penh. From Phnom Penh, you'll take a sleeper bus to Siem Reap. Siem Reap is the capital of the Angkor complex and the pristine and peaceful Tonle Sap Lake region.
About the author:Gia Thịnh, a writer specializing in cultural geography, currently lives and works in Ho Chi Minh City. Thịnh is a storyteller, sharing his experiences through articles, photo series, and documentaries. His stories are personal reflections and experiences from his travels across the country.
