by Le Concierge Orient
siem reap cambodia
The Destination
Siem Reap is a Cambodian destination that exists solely because it is the gateway to the Khmer civilisation's glorious past. Angkor Wat is the world-renowned temple complex that hearkens to the golden age of Khmerian civilization with stunning stone structures standing amidst dense verdure spanning close to 400 acres. The site was constructed between 1113 and 1150 CE during the reign of the Khmer king Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. From the late 13th century onward, the complex was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple and has remained an active center of Buddhist worship for centuries before fading out of time. Restoration works have been carried out progressively since French explorers ‘rediscovered’ the complex in the 20th century and today Angkor Wat is Cambodia’s most popular tourist attraction as modern day explorers continue to be entranced by the enigmatic pas reliefs and monolithic edifices that have withstood the ravishes of time. Heavily looted but still resplendent, the temple complexes and ruins of Angkor remain a marvel from the ancient world that beggars belief.
The Launchpads
