Fact Sheets & Video - Cambodia

For hundreds of years, after it was abandoned in the 15th century, the lost city of Angkor was itself a legend.

Cambodian peasants living on the edge of the thick jungle around the Tonle Sap Lake reported findings which puzzled the French colonialists who arrived in Indochina in the 1860s. The peasants said they had found temples built by gods or by giants. Their stories were casually dismissed as folktales.

Frenchmen Henri Mahout's rediscovery of the Angkor temples in 1860, while out on an expedition, opened up this `lost city' to the world. The legend became fact and a stream of explorers, historians and archaeologists came to Angkor to explain the meaning of these vast buildings.

Mahout's publication of Voyage Siam et dans le Cambodge brought scholars from all over the French colonies, and efforts were undertaken to clear away the jungle vegetation that threatened to completely destroy the monuments. Restoration continues today. The celebrated temples of Angkor are Cambodia's greatest tourist attraction. The hundred or so temples are the sacred remains of what was once a much larger administrative and religious centre, and were built between the 9th and 13th centuries to glorify a succession of Khmer kings. The three most magnificent temples and also the most visited are the Bayon, Ta Prohm and the immense Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat (Angkor temple) itself is the most recognisable symbol of Angkor, and perhaps of Cambodia, featuring on its bank notes and the national flag. It was built by Suryvarman II in honour of the Hindu god, Vishnu.

For atmosphere, it's hard to beat Ta Prohm. The famous scenes in the first Tomb Raider movie were mostly filmed at this temple, due to its wild appearance. Ta Prohm is largely as it was found in the 1860s, almost swallowed up by the jungle. This temple was built by King Jayavaraman VII for his mother.

Also fascinating is the Bayon temple, featuring over 200 faces of King Jayavarman VII carved into its towers. Wherever you look you are surrounded by his watchful, smiling image. The temple is built on top of a hill and has fantastic views across Angkor Wat and the surrounding countryside, the rice fields and jungle beyond.

If you want to get away from the busy areas of Angkor, take a trip to Boeng Maelea. Five years ago Boeng Maelea was still under the control of Khmer Rouge soldiers, and is still visited rarely by tourists.

More Information

Siem Reap

The Temples of Angkor Small Group Journey five day tour starts from $975 a person based on twin share.

Travel Indochina

Telephone: 1300 138 755

Website: www.travelindochina.com.au

Prices correct at 30/1/06