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Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap houses artifacts of the Khmer empire that ruled for more than seven centuries. It spreads over 20,000 square meters and is home to over 8000 relics, including many statues of Buddha and Hindu Gods.
Angkor National Museum will take visitors through the journey back in time from the creation to the highest point of Khmer civilization. Through the use of interactive exhibits, visitors will develop an understanding of religions and beliefs of the ancient Khmer empire.
Comprising state-of-the-art multimedia technology, this Thai-owned private gallery opened in 2007. This interactive museum is worth a visit to understand the history of the actual ruins of Angkor temples. The lintels take you on a visual journey of the Angkor site before its construction through the golden era of the Khmer dynasty, during which some of the most beautiful monuments were built. If you have limited time in the city, though, it’s best to skip this to explore the ruins directly.
Exhibits include touch-screen videos, epic commentary and the chance to experience a panoramic sunrise at Angkor Wat. Although there appears to be less sculpture on display than in the National Museum in Phnom Penh, the presentation of the artefacts here is cutting edge.
Some of the standout pieces in the collection include a late-12th-/early-13th-century seated Buddha sheltered by a naga (mythical serpent-being); a 7th-century standing Vishnu from Sambor Prei Kuk in Kompong Thom; and a stunning 10th-century lintel from the beautiful temple of Banteay Srei.
As the museum is entirely air-conditioned, plan a visit during the middle of the day to avoid the sweltering midday temperatures at the temples of Angkor. Audio tours are available for US$5 and are useful for those who want a more comprehensive understanding of the exhibits on display. Wheelchairs are available free of charge for visitors with mobility impairment.
Allow about two hours to visit the museum in depth and to stop by the shop and small cafe at the end of your visit.
No.968 Vithei Charles De Gaulle, Khrum 6, Phoum Salakanseng, Khom Sveydangum, Siem Reap Province, Kingdom of Cambodia
The tiny 12th-century Buddhist temple of Neak Pean (sometimes written Neak Poan or Neak Poun sits on a circular stone island in a square pool, framed by four more pools, all built on an island in the middle of a lake. The temple’s name means “entwined serpents.”
A favorite Angkor sunset spot, Pre Rup is a 3-tier mountain temple topped with five sanctuary towers. Built in 961 AD as a temple to the Hindu god Shiva, Pre Rup’s name means “turn the body,” and some believe it was used for cremations. Its warm brickwork and red laterite stone look beautiful at sunrise or sunset.
The sprawling temple complex of Angkor Thom, an ancient Khmer capital formerly ringed by a crocodile-infested moat, surpasses the world-famous Angkor Wat in both size and scale. Each of the site’s five gates are heralded by avenues lined with 108 deities that represent good and evil, which provide spectacular photo opportunities before you even step inside.
The Siem Reap Art Center Night Market is open from morning until late in the evening, but it is more of a night market than an art center. Close to the Old Market (Phsar Chaa or Phsar Chas), the site boasts a wealth of stalls selling crafts, souvenirs, the obligatory elephant pants, and snacks.
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Angkor National Museum
