In 1907, Thailand returned control of Angkor to Cambodia and in the same year the first tourists arrived. In the early days of tourism, visitors to Angkor followed one of two circuits to see the temples, the Little (Petit) Circuit or the Big (Grand) Circuit. Tours were often undertaken on the back of an elephant. Today things are different, and air-conditioned vehicles make the experience faster and more comfortable. Hanuman Tourism-Voyages can arrange anything from day trips around the principal monuments to one week itineraries that include lost temples in the jungle. See our Angkor Tours for more details.

Believed to have been undertaken as a temple and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the best-preserved of the Angkorian temples. As with other Angkorian temples and walled cities such as Angkor Thom, the central theme of Khmer architecture revolved around the idea of the temple-mountain. By the time building on Angkor Wat was begun early in the 12th century, this had been elaborated to a central tower surrounded by four smaller towers. The central monument represents the mythical Mount Meru, the holy mountain at the centre of the universe, which was home to the Hindu god Vishnu.

The five towers symbolise Mount Meru's five peaks. It is difficult to express in words the enormous size of Angkor Wat, but it can be hinted at in part by a look at the scale of the complex. The temple is surrounded by a moat which makes the one around the Tower of London, built at roughly the same time, look like nothing more than a garden pond. At 190m wide and forming a rectangle 1.5km by 1.3km, it is hard to imaginzs around the walls of the outer gallery and the hundred figures of devadas and apsaras. This intricately carved gallery tells stories of the Hindu gods and of Suryavarman II's successes on the battlefield. A visit to Angkor Wat is the experience of a lifetime and will be cherished forever.

Angkor Thom
This huge walled complex was the centre of the world’s largest city in 1200. The royal city was first built under the reign of Udayadityavarman II in the 11th Century. It was destroyed when the Chams from Vietnam invaded, sacking the city, and was subsequently rebuilt by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th Century.Its vast walls, some 6m wide, 8m high and 13km in length contain many monuments.

The central shrine is surrounded by 54 towers, all crowned by gigantic, enigmatic faces, representing Lokiteshvara, but withthe features of Jayavarman VII. They gaze out to the north, south, east and west. Unlike his predecessors who had worshipped the Hindu deities of Shiva and Vishnu, Jayavarman VII adopted Mahayana Buddhism as the fount of royal divinity. This sets the Bayon apart from many other Angkorian monuments.

The Baphuon
This perfect pyramidal temple, built by Udayadityarvarman II, was the most poorly constructed of all the temples in Angkor. From the remaining ruins, it is possible to see how imposing it was. This temple mount was dedicated to Shiva, but in its reliefs many motives from Vishnu’s life can be seen. Complexed work continues at the Baphuon to preserve it as a partial ruin complete with a huge reclining Buddha, added in the 16th Century.

The first terrace owes its name to the outstanding depiction of elephants, and was used as a viewing gallery at royal events, while the second terrace takes its name from the magnificent sculpture of King Yasovarman, popularly known as the Leper King. The original of this statue is now in the National Museum.

It has been largely consumed by the jungle and as you climb through the dilapidated stone structures you see many giant trees growing out of the top of the temple itself. At every turn you expect to see Indiana Jones or Lara Croft step out from behind a fallen pillar. It is one of the most regularly visited temples, with visitors often arriving during the middle of the day to take advantage of the protective forest canopy above the ruined temple. Ta Prohm looks as many of the monuments did when European explorers first laid eyes on them.

Preah Khan
Built in the same style as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan is a much better state of preservation. Meaning The Sacred Sword, this temple was also built by Jayavarman VII and is famous for its immensely long cruciform corridors and delicate carvings.

Banteay Kdei
This temple was constructed by Jayavarman VII during the 12th and 13th Centuries. Its system of galleries and vestibules that were added after the construction of the main towers makes it look like a cloister. It was built in sandstone, which has deteriorated quite badly. However, there remain some very beautiful lintels and pediments.

Sras Srang
This royal pool was the King's bathing pond, where he washed with his many concubines each day.

Pre Rup
This temple was built in the 10th Century by Rajendravarman.Pre Rup means turning the body and the Khmers believe this temple was used for cremations.

East Mebon
Also built in the 10th Century by Rajendravarman, this temple was situated on a small island in the middle of the Oriental, or Eastern, Baray.

Neak Poan
This temple is a delicate highlight of Khmer art. Built by Jayavarman VII, this temple is the perfect representation of the heavens on earth. It has been said that this monument was consecrated to Buddha who attained Nirvana, and the ornamental lakes surrounding it were meant as places where pilgrims could wash and purify themselves before reaching perfection. In the centre of these ornamental lakes there is a small temple surrounded by two nagas.

Banteay Samre
Thoroughly restored before the war, this delicate temple demonstrates how Angkor may have looked in its prime. It was built by Suryavarman II.

Phnom Krom
Built by Yasovarman I in the 10th Century, this temple sits atop a hill overlooking the Tonle Sap Lake. The temple is in very poor condition, but its ruins are worth visiting for views. This is the place for a quiet sunset.

Barays
The East and West Barays are two enormous reservoirs, both dug by hand. They were central to the health and vigour of Khmer civilisation. The East Baray is empty, while the Western one is half full, measuring 8km in length!

Roluos
Roluos was one of the earliest Angkor capitals, built by King Indravarman and originally called Hariharalaya. Today there are three Hindu sanctuaries: Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei.
All three temples were built of brick and though they are not as spectacular as the other temples of Angkor, they are well preserved and worth a visit to offer the visitor a chronological perspective on the development of Angkor. Roluos is 11km east of Siem Reap on National Highway 6 to Phnom Penh.

Phnom Kulen
Phnom Kulen is considered by Khmer people to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia and is a popular place of pilgrimage. It played a significant role in the history of the Khmer empire as it was from here in 802 AD that Jayarvarman II proclaimed independence from Java, giving birth to modern Cambodia. On the plateau, there is a large reclining Buddha carved into a sandstone boulder and beautiful views across the jungle. Nearby is a major waterfall and some riverbed carvings of the sort seen at Kbal Spean. For more adventurous visitors, there are many old temples scattered across the mountain, but these are tough to reach. Phnom Kulen is about 55km north-east of Siem Reap.

Boeung Mealea
This vast 12th Century temple was constructed by Suryavarman II in a similar design to his more famous creation, Angkor Wat. The temple has been completely swallowed by the jungle and is incredibly atmospheric. Beng Mealea is 70km north-east of Siem Reap on reasonable dirt roads.

Preah Vihear
This imposing mountain-top temple guards the border between Cambodia and Thailand. It sits 600m, above the Cambodian plains below, and many consider its location the most dramatic of all the Angkorian temples. Until recently, it was only really accessible by helicopter from the Cambodian side or from Thailand by road. However, it was closed to visitors from the Thai side in December 2001 and new roads are being constructed to plug it into the rest of Cambodia. One road is will link it to Tbeng Meanchey to the south and a second road will link it to Anlong Veng to the west offering a new loop between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Koh Ker
This served as a capital for a short period in the 10th Century under Jayavarman IV, who seized the throne and transferred power here. Also know as Chok Gargyar, it has several huge temples in a pinkish sandstone as seen at Banteay Srei, inlcuding Prasat Thom and Prasat Krahom. It is very tough to reach and involves an overnight adventure from Siem Reap or a helicopter flight.

Preah Khan
This was once the second city of the Angkorian empire, and home to Jayavarman VII during his younger years. It is a vast complex including a small temple in the style of the Bayon, as well as small but beautiful Prasat Damrei (Elephant Temple). It is difficult to get to and involves an overnight adventure from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, or a helicopter flight.