Angkor Wat

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Karl Cushing
Features and Supplements Editor, Travel Weekly
www.travelweekly.co.uk

"Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Everything about my trip to Angkor Wat blew me away - from the boat ride up Lake Tonle Sap to the three days I spent exploring the ruins on my temperamental moped. Away from the main sites there's a multitude of temples where you see no-one and you can sit and ponder imponderables like: 'I wonder if my moped will start this time?'.

"The most memorable moment, however, was the last night. Having stayed after dark when the site had all but emptied, I sat watching a group of young monks releasing Chinese flying lanterns which illuminated the still night sky with their candles as they drifted across the path of the full moon; a magical, 'tranquil moment'."

Holiday Extras' view

After decades as a no-go area, Cambodia has become a fashionable destination, with the temples of Angkor Wat a must-see for the savvy, albeit intrepid, traveller. Cambodia is a country of extremes: here tranquility and violence, beauty and horror, and emotional highs and lows all combine to create a destination that visitors will never forget.

Travellers can experience the magnificent ancient Khmer temples, lush tropical forests, bountiful islands and darker sights on the tourist trail including Toul Sleng prison and the killing fields at Choeung Ek.

The legacy of the Khmer Rouge remains, but remarkably the Cambodian people have retained their national spirit and a heart-warming optimism. The more adventurous traveller may want to visit before the real, natural Cambodia is lost among glossy resorts.

Top sights

Temples of Angkor: These temples are a source of inspiration to Cambodians and visitors alike. Angkor was the capital of Cambodia's ancient Khmer empire and consists of hundreds of temples, each larger and more extravagant than the last. The highlight of this site is Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious building.

Tonle Sap Lake: Also known as Cambodia's Great Lake, Tonle Sap is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia during the wet season. At this time, the Tonle Sap River reverses direction, a phenomenon causing the area of the lake to swell to 12,000 square kilometres. This vast area supports an amazingly rich and diverse eco-system, including more than 100 species of waterbirds and 200 varieties of fish.

Phnom Penh: Cambodia's capital is the commercial, political and cultural heart of the country. With more than one million residents and thousands of visitors, the city thrives with a bustling and infectious energy. Phnom Penh is renowned for traditional Khmer and French-inspired architecture, providing a charming, crumbling colonial backdrop to busy 21st-century street life.

Your view

Did you eat at a fantastic restaurant or stay in a wonderful hotel near Angkor Wat? Maybe you discovered a hidden sight or you have a Cambodia travel tip that you want to share with other visitors?