15 things to know before visiting Angkor Wat (blog and vlog)
Hi Steemit
I have been blessed to travel around the world and that I get to share it with the people on Steemit. One of the amazing places I visited is Angkor Wat in Siem Reap Cambodia. Here is a list of 15 things you must know before going!
Angkor Wat is an ancient city in Cambodia that was the centre of the Khmer empire that once ruled most of Southeast Asia. The civilization went extinct, but the amazing temples and buildings are still there for hundreds of years. The area is breathtaking even it is always packed with tourists. The most popular temples are Bayon, Ta Phrom, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. The major city for Temple tours in Siem Reap.
It can get very hot and humid, particularly from April to May, so that means bring a lot of water to stay hydrated throughout the walking and trekking.
If you’re going during the hottest months, make sure to go to the temples before 11 a.m. Temperatures can reach an astounding 40 degrees Celsius during the middle of the day.
Do some research on the basic history of Angkor Wat. This will help you gain a better understanding in what you see in person.
I recommend hiring a tour guide to really make the temples come to life for you. Knowing the history of each temple will allow you to truly appreciate just how significant they truly are.
The best time to go is before sunrise, which means waking up really early. People say watching the sunrise is a tremendous involvement–it’s also the perfect time for picture taking.
Bring an umbrella when you’re walking around the temples to help cover you from some of the harsh sun rays and the surprise rain.
Plan in advance which temples you want to see and buy a pass for at least three days to save you a lot of time and stress. Three days is sufficient time to discover the temples. You don’t have to use it on consecutive days. Take a day off to rest, head to Tonle Sap, the large freshwater river nearby that’s home to floating villages.
Be prepared to walk a lot. The area is massive because a lot of the temples and sights are pretty far apart from each other. I would advise you to wear sneakers!
be polite and wear modest clothing, since all of the ancient temples is active sites of Hindu worship. This means covering your shoulders with sleeves and wearing long pants.
Be aware: Children under the age of 12 won’t be able to enter certain areas of the complex. If you’re travelling with kids, research ahead of time and plan accordingly.
A more expense way but pretty goes is hiring a private driver for two or three days. Most of drivers will tailor make the days for you and have cool water readily available to help you combat the extreme temperatures.
A cheaper but more labor work is to get a bike and ride it around for a couple of days if you have the time. It’s a fun and exciting way to see the temples.
Purchase souvenirs at stores that are nearer to the temples to save money. Gifts at these shops tend to be inexpensive compared to the ones sold in the markets.
For cheap and yummy food, eat somewhere the food is also cooked in front of you, so you know it’s fresh.
Make sure to devote enough time at all the temples to fully understand the uniqueness of each of them.
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