Temples Of Cambodia

- Accessible scholarly treatment of one of the world's most iconic sites John Burgess masterfully brings to life the modern history of Cambodia's fabled Angkor temples, from their "discovery" by French explorers in the mid-19th century, through to the latter part of the 20th century, when celebrity visitors included a well publicised one by Jackie Onassis and making Angkor one of the top 3 monuments to visit in the world. An invaluable and riveting book about one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world.

This book invites the reader to experience those extraordinary sites through remarkable photographs and a text by a leading Khmer cultural historian. From modest brick structures in the seventh and eighth centuries, the temples became increasingly ambitious, setting the stage for the apogee of the Khmer empire and with it, the supreme architectural creation of Cambodia, Angkor Wat.

Moon Travel Guides: The Trip of a Lifetime The ancient temples at Angkor Wat are unlike anything else on earth. Step back in time with Moon Angkor Wat. Strategic itineraries, ranging from one to three days in Angkor to a week exploring the Khmer Empire, with suggestions on the most beautiful (and most secluded) temples to visit Historical context and tips on the best ways to tour the temples to get the most out of this sacred and awe-inspiring site Detailed maps and directions for exploring on your own Top sights and activities: Visit the sublime forested temple ruins of Angkor, remnants of the ancient Khmer Empire. Marvel at Angkor Wat, the largest religious building in the world, take in the enigmatic smiles of Angkor Thom's carved bodhisattva, and wander among nearly 100 ancient monuments deep in the jungle at Koh Ker. Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of of Siem Reap or the colorful markets, quiet streets, and funky art galleries of Battambang. Drink thick sweet coffee and sample prahoc or barbecued meats from street carts in Phnom Penh Focused advice from documentarian and journalist Tom Vater Essential insight on trip planning, health and safety, reservations, transportation (by tuk-tuk, taxi, motorbike, or bicycle), and accommodations ranging from hotels to homestays with local families, packaged in a book light enough to fit in your daypack Full-color with vibrant, helpful photos In-depth coverage of Siem Reap, Angkor and all its temples, Phnom Penh, and excursions to other parts of Cambodia such as Banteay Chhmar, Sambor Prei Kuk, Preah Khan, Koh Ker, Preah Vihear, and Battambang With Moon Angkor Wat's practical tips, myriad activities, and an insider's view on the best things to do and see, you can plan your trip your way. Expanding your trip? Check out Moon Vietnam or Moon Phuket & Ko Samui.

Lonely Planet's Cambodia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Watch the sun rise over the magnificent temples of Angkor, hit boho bars in Phnom Penh, and find a tropical hideaway in the Southern Islands- all with your trusted travel companion.

At its height, the Khmer Empire stretched from Angkor as far west as Muang Singh on the border with present-day Burma and Thailand and as far north as Wat Phu on the banks of the Mekong river. Following on from the great success of Angkor: Cities and Temples , the renowned scholar and epigraphist, Claude Jacques, explores the achievements and developments of the Khmer people from the 5th to the 13th century. Beginning with the early pre-Angkorean site of Funan and ending with the reign of the great Khmer king, Jayavarman VII, the author journies behind the well-known temples of Angkor Wat, to reveal the marvels of many temples hitherto inaccessible to visitors. Thus the reader is taken a virtual tour of sites as varied as Preah Vihear perched on a steep cliff overlooking the Cambodian plain, the mysterious and extensive site of Preah Khan of Kompong Svay and the exquisitely carved temple in the forest of Beng Mealea, to mention but a few. The author speculates as to the origins and reasons behind each site and how the Khmer empire functioned over many hundreds of years. Superbly photographed by Philippe Lafond, the book includes site plans, old photographs, aerial shots of the ancient cities as well as detailed photographs showing the reliefs and other magnificent carvings. Never before has the richness and diversity of the Khmer Empire been captured so evocatively.

This is the third volume in my series on Buddhist monuments and temples in South Asia, and the last one dealing with orthodox or Theravada Buddhism. The advent of Theravada Buddhism in Cambodia and Laos came during the 11th century, while Mahayana Buddhism came much earlier to Cambodia. Laos, however, with its constant contact with Thailand (Siam), inherited Theravada or the pure form of Buddhism. The specific origins of the peoples of these countries are uncertain due to the lack of historical documentation. Due to the constant wars and invasions between these and neighbouring countries such as Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand (Siam), many temples, monasteries and stupas suffered destruction, and statues and other religious artefacts were pillaged. Therefore there are far fewer historical temples and monuments than might have been expected. In fact Sri Lanka is the only Theravada country in which there are substantial ancient Buddhist monuments and temples remaining in good order and still in use. Furthermore, the history of these is well documented, the oldest ones dating back to the Buddha. It is impossible to comprehensively deal with such an expansive subject encompassing the two countries in this small volume. Therefore I have confined myself to areas and places which have grown in popularity, are of major importance and those which are easily accessible. During the course of writing the books in this series I have visited all the sites dealt within them and taken most of the photographs. It is sincerely hoped that this small volume will be useful to those who are interested in seeing the monuments described, and also kindle their interest in the study of this subject.

The Khmer Empire was the most powerful in Southeast Asia for 600 years. Ruled by kings called "god-kings," it dominated much of the Mekong and Chao Phraya River basins between 802 and 1431 and built some of the most impressive temples in the world. Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam are all former Khmer territories. For hundreds of years before its collapse in 1431, the Khmer Empire dominated Southeast Asia. With its capital at Angkor, it was the region's largest and most powerful Empire, incorporating parts of Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, and Malaysia into its territory. Historians disagree on the reason for its fall. One theory is that it was a result of an internal power struggle. Another theory is that the Empire's citizens were unhappy with their ruler and demanded another leader, which led to the collapse of Angkor. Another popular theory is that because no central government was in charge, local leaders started fighting with each other over land rights. Some historians also think that foreign invaders might have played a role in ending Khmer influence over Southeast Asia and causing their downfall. They say this because after Angkor was abandoned by its people and left unattended for centuries, several different groups took control over it—including Europeans who colonized Vietnam and Thailand during this period (18th century). To them, this suggests there must've been some conflict between these new rulers of the Khmer Empire." Historians think Angkor had a population between 750,000 and 1 million by the 12th century, making it one of the largest cities ever built. Angkor Wat is also the largest religious building in the world, with a footprint of 400 acres or 162 hectares. It covers an area greater than Manhattan Island in New York City. Angkor Wat was built as a Hindu temple, but it also reflects influences from Buddhism and Jainism. The temple was constructed by King Suryavarman II during his reign from 1113 to 1145. It took about 30 years to build, but today only 15 percent of the original structure remains standing. The architecture at Angkor is unmatched for its scale, complexity, and harmony. Compared to other temple complexes in Asia, the temples of Angkor are the most significant religious buildings in the world.