Baphuon began life in the 11th century as a Hindu temple meant to represent mystical Mount Meru, like most temples in the region. It was later rededicated to Buddha but hasn't weathered the intervening years as well as its neighbors, with much of the construction lying in countless pieces.
A vast reclining Buddha forms a wall of one of the temple's three tiers, but you will have to exercise your imagination to visualize the divinity's features. Despite "“ or maybe because of "“ its present state, Baphuon is one of the most magical Angkor sites, with shaded pavilions looking out on elaborately-carved stone pieces battling the jungle for supremacy.
Practical Info
Baphoun is within Angkor Thom, which lies 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) north of Siem Reap, past Angkor Wat. As the subject of major ongoing archeological work, much of the Baphuon site is inaccessible at any given time.
Built during the ninth century at what was the center of the royal city at the time, Phnom Bakheng (also known as the temple of Shiva) is one of the oldest temples in Angkor. The five-tiered pyramidal structure, built on top of a hill, and was originally surrounded by 108 towers, an auspicious number in many Eastern religions.
While the temple ruins of Phnom Bakheng are impressive, the reason most visitors come is to watch the sunset from the top or to attempt to snap the money shot of Angkor Wat rising up from the jungle in the distance (the site sits less than a mile from Phnom Bakheng). To avoid the crowds, consider coming at sunrise instead.
Practical Info
Getting to the hilltop temple requires a somewhat steep 15-minute walk, but for a fee, you can also ride an elephant to the top. If you come for sunset, bring a flashlight for the climb back down.
One of Siem Reap’s oldest temples, Wat Bo is known for its collection of well-preserved wall paintings from the late 19th century. Though Wat Bo is a Buddhist temple, these paintings depict the Reamker, which is Cambodia’s interpretation of the Ramayana—an epic Hindu story about the love between Rama and Shita, the strongest man and the most beautiful women of all time. There is also an impressive collection of Buddha statues.
It won’t take long to explore Wat Bo as it’s not that big of a temple. However, the paintings are well preserved and, in addition to illustrating the Reamker, the paintings also give insight into daily life in this area. A sharp eye might catch foreigners painted into the scenes, get an idea of what fashion looked like in those days and perhaps spot the likeness of French soldiers. It’s a quiet respite from the liveliness of Siem Reap and a nice break from the expansive temples of nearby Angkor Wat.
Practical Info
Wat Bo is located on the east side of Siem Reap River on the corner of Street 22 and Samdech Tep Vong and gives Wat Bo Area its name. Wat Bo is open to the public from sunrise to sunset and entry is free, though donations are appreciated.
Address: Corner of Street 22 and Samdech Tep Vong, Siem Reap, Cambodia
