One of Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destinations is Siem Reap’s Angkor Wat, an ancient city built around the 12th and 13th century in the heart of what’s known today as Cambodia. Swallowed by the lush jungles of Asia, its ruins stand as nothing but a reminder -- a memory -- of the once mighty and prosperous civilization that had built it.
Several notable temples make-up the city, and the most popular of them all is Angkor Wat, being the largest among the sprawl of buildings. Many tourists, however, found themselves enraptured by the unique charm of Bayon temple. Its walls are carved with exactly 216 gigantic faces carrying an infectiously serene smile. One can only admire the beauty of its artistry, and awe at the thought at what it might have looked before falling into slow decay.
What would add to the beauty of the Bayon temple is the soft, warm light of sunrise and sunset. The shadows cast by the smooth curves of its details breathe life onto the carvings. And when captured during these times of day, the peace these faces seemed to have found would be most evident.
The Experience
Depending on the month and time of visit, what you may find surprising is the sheer amount of people pouring into the Bayon Temple. Capturing breathtaking shots would be next to impossible with people passing nonstop. But although this sounds generally unpleasant, the presence of large crowds has its benefits.
The locals are accommodating and friendly, and are always ready to attend to those in need of help. Knowing, however, that tourists came in with money, they wouldn’t hesitate to ask for a few notes in exchange for their assistance. Some do not think badly of this, but there are more than a few who did feel they have been scammed.
An example of a situation would be a young local offering to help snap pictures. Their shots are great -- almost at par with postcard images. However, these people intentionally don’t mention that they will be charging a fee. The presence of a crowd does not eliminate the risk, but it does lower your chances of encountering such situations. Also, if you don’t feel comfortable asking locals for assistance, help from a fellow tourist is never too far away. Another way of avoiding “unexpected fees” along your visit is by hiring a tour guide.
Getting There a. From Siem Reap
Siem Reap is the closest major city to Angkor Wat and it has an international airport. So if you’re visiting Cambodia just to walk through the temple ruins, it’s best to fly directly to this city. Because Siem Reap is almost synonymous to Angkor Wat, finding a way to travel to the actual spot wouldn’t be much of a problem. Tuk tuks are all over the place and any one of them can take you to Bayon Temple. And for a reasonable price of 25 USD, the driver can be hired for an all day tour, and could also act as a tour guide.
b. From Phnom Penh
If, however, your original destination is the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, and you simply want to take a side trip to Angkor Wat, prepare for a 5 to 6-hour trip (this of course depends on your mode of transport).
Phnom Penh is 321.4 kilometers away from Siem Reap and you have five travel options:
● Taxi
● Plane
● Boat
● Bus
● Mini Bus
The fastest way, of course, is via plane. The flight takes about 45 minutes. This option is, however, the most expensive. Taxis are the best option for those wanting to travel in comfort and in private. The fare, however, will play somewhere between 65 USD and 100 USD.
Travel by boat is only viable during wet seasons when water levels are high. This, however, is a recommended mode of transport for those wanting a little extra adventure in their itinerary. The lack of safety adds thrill to the ride, and the sight of floating villages as the boat passes traverses the Mekong River adds more cultural immersion to the trip.
Those who yearn for sights along the way, but aren’t eager to risk their safety can always go for the bus or the mini bus. Apart from being the most available transport to Siem Reap, a ticket costs only about 13 USD.