Angkor Temple
Guide
Return to the Home Page Angkor Temple Guide Home Page Version Française Temples d'Angkor

History

Know the Chronology of Modern Cambodian History and the History of Angkor

When to go to Cambodia

Even hot, the best time to go is from November to February. Know details of temperatures and precipitation averages for Siem Reap.
Many Festivities are organized in Cambodia. The most interesting may be the Khmer New Year in April and the Water Festival in November

How to arrange your visit

How to come to Siem Reap and how to visit temples

The Angkor Site on essentials

Know Priority temples, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, Elephant and Leper King Terraces, ...

Angkor Wat

General Information about Cambodia

Cambodia, small nation squeezed between Thailand and Vietnam, with only 14 million people, has an historical background which shows it always was threatened by its main neighbouring countries. And lived at the end of the 20th Century some decades of terror and a genocide killing between 2 and 3 million people. Again independent and pacified, this country has recovered stability and is becoming a spotlight tourist destination

Temples of Angkor represent the remains of a powerful Khmer civilisation ruling over all of its neighbours, and is a testimony of Hindu and Buddhist worship. Angkor is even now the pride symbol of Cambodians. Moreover, the exceptional Angkor Wat temple adorns the national flag (on French Protectorate initiative)

Of course, the main tourist spots in Cambodia are the Angkor archaeological park and its numerous temples, but also floating villages on Tonle Sap lake and Phnom Penh, the capital, worth trying. At last, seaside near Sihanoukville, in some degree, may worth a short stay

 Map of Cambodia

How to come to Cambodia

Cambodia does not have any national air company. And international companies from Europe or USA do not propose direct flight to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. So, you must stop first in neighbouring countries to come to Cambodia. The most competitive flights are often via Bangkok

Cambodia has two international airports, one in Siem Reap, near Angkor, et one in Phnom Penh
From Phnom Penh, you could go to Siem Reap by plane (50 min), by boat (5 hours), or by road (6 hours).
More details

 Map of the Angkor District

Money

The national currency unit is the Riel, 1 € = 6 150 riels, but it is not used. US$ are de-facto the currency of the country, 1 $ = 4 000 riels. Even ATMs carry US$, retailers give change with US$ notes and small change in riels
ATMs are not widespread, especially outside tourist areas, and most retailers do not accept credit card payments. So, it is better to exchange some US$ before leaving

Visa

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your visit in Cambodia. And a tourist visa is generally required. This visa can be used during three months from the emission date for a one month stay maximum. The simplest mean to apply is on arrival in the Airport, the cost is 20 $ and you need two passport-size photographs

Telephone and internet

If you want to make a call to someone in Cambodia, you can use your hand phone dialling 00855 before the local number (and you must omit the first figure which is 0). If it does not work, do not worry, telecommunication service is not sure in Cambodia, you simply must start again later
Internet connexions are generally very slow but are available in almost all large towns in numerous shops in Phnom Penh or in Siem Reap

Health

Before leaving, vaccination against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and tetanus are recommended. Moreover, you must know Cambodia has a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic and one of the highest prevalence rates in Asia
Do not drink tap water, and if you want to eat on the sidewalk in a food stall, you must check if it looks clean before
If you go to remote areas far from major tourist destinations, do not forget land mines can exist yet. And when you visit temples of Angkor, do not put yours hands under stones, scorpions and snakes can be there
At last, you must have some insect repellent to protect yourself from mosquitoes in the evening, though urban areas are virtually free of malaria and dengue
While the potential dangers can seem quite frightening, in reality, few travellers experience anything more than an upset stomach

Safety

Like in numerous countries from South-East Asia, walk alone is relatively sure. But do not forget there are many poverty stricken Cambodians, all ostentatious behaviour should be proscribed

Time

Cambodia is 7 hours ahead of GMT/UTC (London). So, when it is noon in Cambodia, it is 5 am in London

language

The Khmer language is a difficult language to understand and to pronounce. But English is widely understood in major cities. Some people speak French as well

HB - 2008