1 Day Angkor Wat

_{Facing the highest point of Khmer Empire –}

Who doesn’t know Angkor Wat? It is globally famous as the biggest religious temple complex in the world measuring a size of 400 acres. Angkor Wat is a proof of the highest point in the Khmer empire. It is a Cambodian pride that they decided to put it in their flag.

_{Well preserved carvings @ Angkor Wat}

Imho one should not leave Cambodia without visiting Angkor Wat. When I wanted to visit Angkor Wat, I had to say that I was shocked because of the prices. Going to Angkor Wat is pricey. They offer a 1 Day Pass, 3 Days Pass and 1 Week Pass.

_{You should only buy the tickets from their official website}

SO, HOW TO ENJOY ANGKOR WAT ON BUDGET?

I opted for 1 Day Pass for 37 USD (2 USD is automatically donated to a hospital in the pass). And since this complex is so big, I also decided to explore around Angkor Wat with a rented motorbike for 10 USD per day instead of TukTuk. For the guide, I wandered around alone with an Audio guide from Smartguide App.

_{Preview of SmartGuide App –}

Available in PlayStore for free (do note this app is very battery consuming tho)I decided to follow the itinerary from Smartguide for my Angkor Wat Day Trip. But, coming from personal experience, there was also a flop on the route. Exploring Angkor Wat from 8 AM until 6 PM was not as easy as imagined, since you have to walk a lot under the heat.

Below is my recommendation on what you have to see if you decided on doing Angkor Wat for just 1 Day

_{Presumably Petrogliph @ Angkor Wat}

1 – Phnom Bakheng

Besides being the highest point on the Angkor region, this temple is a must visit since before Angkor Wat was built, this was the main core of the region.

_{Phnom Bakheng from afar}

_{On the highest floor of Phnom Bakheng}

2 – Baksei Chamkrong

This smaller temple is located just beside the path of Phnom Bakheng. And during my trip to Angkor, this is the only temple that was built to worship Shiva.

_{Baksei Chanrong seen on the path to Phnom Bakheng}

_{Steep steps to the top}

3 – Angkor Thom West Gate

This is a teaser of the famous Bayon temple, which is famous with 4 faces facing main compass directions. In comparison to the north gate, this gate is least popular and I will tell you later on why.

_{Otw passing by Angkor Thom West Gate}

4 – Bayon

Once you arrive at Bayon, you can see how popular it is and you will understand why. There are a lot of face sculptures in Bayon, 216 to be exact. Some said it is Buddha’s face, but some said it is the King Jayawarman VIs.

_{Main faces carvings @ Bayon}

_{Lively carvings @ Bayon}

5 – Baphuon

This temple is famous because of its reclining Buddha statue. However, when I was there, I couldn’t find it no matter how far I climbed. Apparently, you can only see it from the side and from afar.

_{Can you also see the reclining Buddha?}

_{Corridors @ Baphuon}

6 – The Leper King Terrace

This 12th century terrace offers you a lot of carving sets. Despite the name, there is no evidence found that the King who built this had leprosy. The name was given due to the carving wall color, which makes it look like somebody with leprosy.

_{Welcome to Terrace of The Leper King}

_{Carvings of The Leper King}

7 – Phimeanakas

A pyramid temple that dated older than Angkor Wat itself. This temple apparently was used as a private chapel to the royals. I didn’t climb it and just admired it from where I stood.

_Phimeanakas

8 – The Elephant Terrace

Located just beside The Leper King Terrace, this terrace is convenient to be visited. There are a lot of elephant carvings mounted on its walls varying in different sizes, from small to the size of a real elephant.

_{Big elephant carving}

_{An elephant head carving on the entrance}

9 – Preah Pallilay

This temple is a mysterious one since no one can actually say how old this is. There are no inscriptions left on the temple, making it hard to be researched. However, this temple is used nowadays by Buddhist monks. I saw people praying too.

_{No found inscription in dating Palilay}

_{Mysterious Paliley}

10 – Angkor Thom North Gate

The most popular gate in the Angkor region. And the reason is because its usage back in the days. This gate is known as the Victory gate, used after the Khmer empire won the battle.

_{The historical gate}

11 – Preah Khan

When I arrived here, I just didn’t know how big the temple was, 800 x 700 meters. King Jayavarman VI built this temple in the spirit of Buddha Mahayana and honoring his dad.

_{Chilling a bit @ Preah Khan}

_{Preah Khan is big that you need to walk through multi corridors like these}

12 – Ta Keo

I definitely regretted not coming to this temple, since this is the oldest temple made of sandstone. If you are an ancient architecture fan, this is your place.

_{Pic. Source}

13 – Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm is probably the most famous temple after Angkor Wat itself. And the reason behind it is because of the shooting of Tomb Raider in it. But, even without the pop culture reference, I feel this temple is so unique and charming because of the integrated giant trees in the temple.

_{Tree like this is why Ta Prohm could be more charming}

_{While admiring Ta Prohm with hubby}

14 – Angkor Wat

This is the reason why you are here in the first place. Angkor Wat is so loved by the Cambodians and they wear it proudly as their culture. Angkor Wat is mighty. It has a lot of great well-preserved details and it is used by the locals too for praying.

_{Mesmerizing details @ Angkor Wat}

_{View from inside Angkor Wat}

15 – Angkor Wat View

The reason why I put this separately is because of the size of Angkor Wat itself. When I came inside, I realized that I actually couldn’t enjoy the view of three iconic spheres of the Wat. So, I needed to go out to actually admire it. And in almost sunset setting, it was a wonderful view indeed.