Comments on: Angkor Wat Without The Crowds

By: T

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:38:55 +0000

Hey Dan! I’m a cambodian descent or khmer however you want to call it lolz! I just want ot let you guys know that Angkor is in fact the largest pre-industrial city in the world spanning 400 square miles or more! The temples at Angkor are nothing compare to the temples outside of Angkor like Beng Melea the 2nd largest temple a little smaller than Angkor Wat! There’s also Koh Ker temple complex with over 100 temples, Preah vihear temple on the mountain, Prasat Bakan the largest single complex 5 times the size of Angkor wat! There’s Banteay Chmarr, and many many many more.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:28:32 +0000

Maybe it’s an attempt to send the throngs of tourists somewhere else, lol. I doubt it would work. I’m becoming more and more convinced that low season travel is the best time, have to wait till I get there in the high season later this year to compare.

@Cody I’m guessing that pic is during high season. It did rain the day I visited Angkor, it may have kept a few away but there were still plenty there.

By: James Clark

James Clark — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 01:50:33 +0000

Great post Dan. Saying Angkor is overrated because of the crowds is a classic case of throwing the baby out with the bath water. There are so many other temples spead out that you will have moments when there are no one else around.

By: Cody McKibben

Cody McKibben — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:40:12 +0000

Great stuff Dan! I totally agree with Dawn Rooney’s quote in your post. I have to say Angkor Wat really was one of the most stunning, spiritual, otherworldly experiences I’ve had, and I would highly encourage every traveler to visit.

That photo of the crowds at the top of the temple at Phnom Bakheng is scary! But in my experience it wasn’t so horrible. There were crowds, but like you said if you actually spend some time wandering around you’ll easily find yourself all alone enjoying the majestic, towering presence of these ancient ruins. The pass to get into the park is a little expensive (I think it was 30 or 40 dollars) so spend 2-3 days and enjoy. This ancient city is massive, so venture around and see all there is to see, not just the main temple. Go for sunrise and sunset. Most importantly, just do a few minutes of research online and find out when low season is, just like you always should, and you’ll avoid the crowds! Good advice man.

By: Diggy - Upgradereality.com

Diggy - Upgradereality.com — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:50:27 +0000

Wow, awesome post.

It looks so beautiful there. I’ve never been to Asia, but when I go I am planning to go for a few months and travel many countries and visit temples, castles and monuments:)

Thanks for Sharing!
Diggy

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:03:32 +0000

They charge you to enter the park rather than per temple. 1,3 or 5 day tickets which are now flexible so you don’t have to go everyday, so 2 days, a days rest, 3rd day.

Really the worst of the crowds are on the causeway, explore the rest of it and it really isn’t that bad. You have to see it crowded or not, and then explore the others, they are great too.

By: Colin Wright

Colin Wright — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:12:38 +0000

Ah, the Angkor Wat is on my list of places to visit, though after reading this I’m thinking I might opt for one of the other temples, instead.

Even with the mounds of tourists, though, it sounds like a hell of an experience. Is it expensive to visit? That is, do they charge you to enter, or do they have control over travel to the temple? Is it something like the Grand Canyon where they’ll charge you to enter the State Park, but technically aren’t charging you to visit the landmark?