Every year, more than a million tourists travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to the ancient Angkor temples, a collection of approximately 100 structures covering 400 km2 (150 square miles) in the northwestern Cambodia jungle. The Angkor Temple Complex is considered one of the architectural wonders of the world and, in 1992, was designated a World Heritage Site. The temples were built between the 9th and 14th centuries AD, at the height of the Khmer empire. These historical structures are decorated with intricately carved Khmer artwork depicting Hindu and Buddhist themes, providing an archaeological portrayal of the empire that ruled much of Southeast Asia for 5 centuries. After the decline of the Khmer empire, the site was largely abandoned to the surrounding jungle and remained virtually untouched until descriptions of the “lost temples of Cambodia” were published late in the 19th century. Restorations began as international visitors arrived, but the emergence of the Khmer Rouge and the ensuing decades of civil war halted most tourist travel to the site until the late 1990s. As Cambodia has emerged from more than 20 years of political and economic turmoil, the Angkor temples have become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.
Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia but is rapidly developing, especially with the tourist boom in its second largest city, Siem Reap. Most visitors arrive in Siem Reap via the short plane ride from Bangkok; however, flights from other Asian cities, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Ho Chi Minh City, also serve Siem Reap. Overland travel is also possible from Bangkok and Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh.
Typical itineraries for visiting the Angkor Temple Complex are for 2–4 days. The temples are spread over a large area throughout the surrounding forest. The closest temple to Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, is the most famous. Other popular sites close to Siem Reap include the walled city of Angkor Thom (principally the Bayon), and Ta Prohm. These sites can get crowded, especially around sunrise and sunset. Angkor is best experienced by exploring the temples at a leisurely pace, especially in intense heat, and good walking shoes, adequate hydration, sunscreen, and insect protection are critical. The temples are several kilometers apart, ordinarily requiring some sort of transportation; the most popular are tuk-tuks or car taxis.