Girls’ night out

The Royal Square in Phnom Penh, between the Royal Palace and the riverside where the rivers Tonle Sap and Mekong meet, are among the nicest public areas in the Cambodian Capital.

The area is ordinarily bustling with people, both locals and tourists from early morning. In the late afternoon/early evening families arrive for picnic, and later in the evening young people join for meals, drinks and friendly activities.

Late arrivals
Many of them arrives after the ordinary shops and daytime cafes are closed.

Like this group of Khmer ladies in their late teens having a late evening picnic at a nearly empty square.

When you have one of those soft, velvet dark blue nights it becomes a nice ending of a day visiting the capital city.

Top travel goal for 2026
Both in 2025 and for the upcoming 2026 Phnom Penh has been recommended as one of the ten hottest cities to visit in Asia.
Latest this recommendation comes from BBC in London.
The recommendations comes from Phnom Penhs combination of history, culture and architecture from the ‘Pearl of Asia’ period. And the modern vibrant metropolitan capital city of a nation in rapid economic and cultural development.

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20251209-the-20-best-places-to-travel-in-2026

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You came to a split in the road….

…and the Apsara-crew took the road less travelled, because they make all the difference.

To manage, develop and maintain the vast human cultural treasure of the Angkor Park, the Apsara Authority was established back in 1995.

It has ha monumental task, literally speaking, taking care of the approximately 420 km2 area of the main Angkor Archaeological Park. It contains more than 70 larger temple sites, and over 1000 smaller sites and remains.

Important task and employer
Easy recognisable with their green uniforms, the Apsara Maintenance staff are making the visit into the Angkor Archaeological Park and sites possible, safe and accessible. It is a highly respected and important effort on behalf of Cambodia’s long and proud history, civilisation and culture. And of course, the common human historic value as a World Cultural Heritage site for the rest of us.

With over 3 000 employees, the Apsara Authority is the largest single employer in the Siem Reap province.

#angkorwat #angkor #pond #sunrise #wat #temple #food #asiangirl #asian #villagelife #morning #AngkorWat #Apsara #ancient #art #architecture #sculpture #archive #worldculturalheritage #hinduism #khmer #empire #buddhism #greentourism #takeonlyphotos #leaveonlyfootprints #Cambodia #citylife #countryside #daytrip #history #imperial #biking #Site #statetemple #Apsara #maintenance #crew #staff #lunch #tiffin #carrier #Chanshrak #tiffincarrier #Nikon #D300 #NikonD300 #Nikkor #14_24mm #f2_8 #2011CE #Siem #Reap #siemreap #southeastasia #visitsiemreap #visitcambodia

Bringing food for mommy

A memory from my first visit to Angkor Wat. This couple, I guess brother and sister, had their priority and duty clear this early fall day in the green season of 2011CE.

It was bringing lunch to mommy, one of the Apsara maintenance staffers at Angkor Wat. Making sure the maintenance and operation of the 8th Wonder of the World was smoothly and efficient.

State Temple, tomb, now Wat
Angkor Wat was original a royal state temple built in honour of the Hindu god Vishnu in the mid-12th Century CE. It is a tomb for the God King Suryavarman II too.
As a usurper, he needed to show his right to the throne by building this enormous religious building. It is still the largest and probably the most famous religious buildings in our common human cultural heritage.

Later it was converted to a Buddhist temple and monastery for religious worship and learning, a “Wat”.

Classic combination
Angkor Wat represents two architectural styles for Hindu temples. We have the temple mountain as a reminder of the 5 sacred Meru mountain, home of the Hindu gods. And the later galleried temple.

The galleries are even more interesting than usual. In addition to honour the gods and religious rites, it is the history of the reign of a powerful emperor.

This is one of the temples in Angkor Park where it is highly advisable to have a guide on your first visit. The size is easier to understand when you have some knowledgeable to show the important highlights and the best photo spots.

#angkorwat #angkor #pond #sunrise #wat #temple #food #asiangirl #asian #boy #villagelife #morning #AngkorWat #Apsara #ancient #art #architecture #sculpture #archive #worldculturalheritage #hinduism #khmer #empire #buddhism #greentourism #Cambodia #citylife #countryside #daytrip #history #imperial #biking #Site #statetemple #khmerchildren #lunch #tiffin #carrier #Chanshrak #tiffincarrier #Nikon #D300 #NikonD300 #Nikkor #2011CE #Siem #Reap #siemreap #southeastasia #visitsiemreap #visitcambodia

At the root of the Chenla kingdom

The three distinct Sambor Prei Kouk temple sites is an important archaeological area. The complex is just north of today’s Kampong Thom city in central Cambodia. It shows the bridging development from the Funan Civilisation into the Angkor Khmer Empire.

These temples were state temples in the old capital Isanapura of the Chenla kingdom.

The Funan state was a loosely organized confederation of cities and lesser kingdoms with large population centres and advanced technology. It was established about 2000 years ago and lasted for about 500 years. Funan covered southern part of today’s Cambodia, Viet Nam, Thailand and northern part of Malaysia.

The Chenla kingdom marks the rapid development of architecture, culture and society building into a unified centralised kingdom and culture. The Chenla kings reach north into today’s Laos, Isaan and Burma.

Isanapura was the core city of this pre-Angkor kingdom for 250 years, between 550 and 800 CE. The first writings in Khmer are found here, marking a continuous writing culture lasting into modern times.

By the end of the Chenla Kingdom unrest and pressure from outside slowly weakened and destabilized the realm. In northwest the Angkor Khmer Empire was declared in 802 CE to finally replace the Khmer Chenla Kingdom.

The Isanapura area is beautiful, with its fauna and flora adding to the experience. In 2017 Sambor Prei Kouk was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Greenlight the best time to visit Cambodia

Sometimes it is nice enjoying the rain cleaning up the air and colours in Angkor Thom. Sitting in a comfortable shelter with other visitors and staff is a sociable affair, too.

Green season in Cambodia starts in June/July and reaches its peak in September/October. Planning to visit during the summer in Europe, or when the Autumn is at its darkest and coldest in the northern hemisphere, those are the best time to enjoy Cambodia.

And to visit the architecture and art from the ancient Khmer empire.

The afternoon rainfalls are short, and they freshest the air and cools down the temperature. And they make everything grow healthy green. Including shrouding the ancient temples and imperial sites in green, softening the outline and enhancing the contrasts.

Making the photography conditions are excellent, the temperature is awesome, the crowds are small, and the cost of food, drinks and accommodation are as pleasant as ever.

For those who enjoys other senses as much, they can look forward to the fresh scent after a shower has cleaned the air, and the fragrance of green nature in it growing season. And the aroma of delicious food made from fresh vegetables and fruit. The sound of birds and insects wakening after a fresh spell is part of natural wonder. And the sound of different sort of monsoon is something to ponder.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2024/01/01/embracing-the-rain-visiting-angkor-park/

#greensseason #2019CE #ancient #Angkor #angkorpark #angkorthom #angkorwat #architecture #archive #art #bayon #bike #bikefriendly #bikingintheAngkorWonderland #Buddhism #Cambodia #citywalk #daytrip #Empire #forestgreen #moss #greentourism #imperial #J7 #JayavarmanVII #jvii #Kampuchea #khmer #roadtrip #Sculpture #Siem #Reap #siemreap #site #south #east #asia #southeastasia #statetemple #temple #travel #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #wat #wet #worldculturalheritage

Green season morning in Angkor Park

Prasat Top Khang Kaeut (Eastern Prasat Top) temple is a small Hindu temple with several images of the Hindu God Vishnu. The temple is mostly unvisited and very peaceful. The vegetation makes for some stunning photo opportunities during the green season.

The vegetation has taken over most of the surroundings. During green season it gets extraordinary for photos, with deep, green moss and fresh green all around the still very visible temple.

Religious tolerance in the Khmer Empire
Top Khang Kaeut was built during the reign of Jayavarman VII, the great Buddhist god king, and was initiated in 1295CE. It was dedicated in honour of Mangalartha, a son of a Hindu Brahmin priest/guru kept in high regard by the great king. That gives a glimpse into the religious tolerance and transformation of the Empire into Buddhism as the main religion.

This is the last significant Hindu Temple built in the Khmer Empire before the major change to Buddhism as state religion.

Pleasant green season
The Green season in Cambodia starts in June/July and reaches its peak in September/October. To visit during this time period are among the best time slots to enjoy modern Cambodia.

The afternoon rainfalls are short, and they freshen up the air and chills the temperature. And they make everything grow healthy green.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2024/05/15/the-secret-temple-in-angkor-thom/

#greensseason #2019CE #ancient #Angkor #angkorpark #angkorthom #angkorwat #architecture #archive #art #Asia #bayon #bike #bikefriendly #bikingintheAngkorWonderland #Buddhism #Cambodia #citywalk #countryside #daytrip #EasternPrasatTop #Empire #forestgreen #moss #greentourism #Hinduism #history #imperial #J7 #JayavarmanVII #jvii #Kampuchea #khmer #Mangalartha #Pagoda #Prasat #roadtrip #Sculpture #Siem #Reap #siemreap #site #south #east #asia #southeastasia #statetemple #temple #travel #Vishnu #visitcambodia #visitsiemreap #wat #greenseason #worldculturalheritage

The triple hidden tower temple at the end of red road

Prasat Bat Chum is easily accessible via a red, new dirt road from the south near Prasat Kravan.

Known architect
One unique aspect of this temple is that the architect is known by name. Normally, the god kings are the ones who got their names connected to the temples built during their reign during the 630 years of the Khmer Empire.

Bat Chum was supervised by the architect, minister and guru Kavindrarimathana to the King Rajendravarman II approximately 952CE.

Kavindrarimathana is also accepted as the supervisor behind East Mebon Temple, Srah Srang and maybe the basic designer behind Pre Rup Temple. Meaning that he designed the main reservoirs and elements of most of the Southeast Grand circle Angkor Park.

Mahayana Buddhism
The other unique aspect, Bat Chum was built as Mahayana Buddhist Temple when the Khmer Empire still had Hinduism as the main religion. Another interesting glimpse into religious pluralism early on in this powerful empire.

The three towers are in poor condition when I visited, undergoing a several yearlong restoration project. The three towers are dedicated to Buddha, Vajrapani and Prajnaparamita. Simplified one is for the Buddha, the second for the bodhisattva symbolizing Buddhas power and relentless determination in conquest of negativity, and the third perfection of Wisdom.

This temple is a 12,5 km bike ride from Siem Reap Old Market on mostly flat roads and bike tracks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_Chum

#2019CE #ancient #Angkor #angkorpark #apsara #architecture #archive #art #Asia #batchum #biking #bikingintheAngkorWonderland #bluesky #Mahayana #Buddhism #Cambodia #citylife #countryside #Khmer #Empire #greentourism #Hinduism #history #imperial #offthebeatentrack #Pagoda #prasatbatchum #RajendravarmanII #ricefield #roadtrip #Sculpture #SiemReab #SiemReap #visitsiemreap #srahsrang #statetemple #takeonlyphotos #temple #travel #visitcambodia #worldculturalheritage

That morning trip to Prasat Bat Chum among rich rice fields

Bat Chum Temple – ប្រាសាទបាទជុំ – is one of these off the main track sites where the travel is as interesting as the target.
There are several reasons to take a small side trip to the small Prasat Bat Chum. The beautiful entrance track among rice fields and cultural landscape is an obvious one.

It is near Prasat Kravan and close to Srah Srang reservoir. It is easily accessible both as part of and end point of a Small and Grand circuit tour of Angkor Park.

Or by mountain bike.

This morning, I met this fellow sitting near a small river trying fishing. Or simply enjoy a nice morning in the rice fields.
Good ones, either choice.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2024/02/15/prasat-bat-chum-a-unique-temple-off-main-track/

#2019CE #ancient #Angkor #angkorpark #angkorwat #apsara #ApsaraAuthority #architecture #archive #art #Asia #batchum #biking #bikingintheAngkorWonderland #bluesky #Buddhism #Cambodia #capital #citylife #countryside #daytrip #Khmer #Empire #greentourism #Hinduism #history #imperial #leaveonlyfootprints #Mahayana #offthebeatentrack #Pagoda #prasatbatchum #RajendravarmanII #ricefield #roadtrip #Sculpture #SiemReab #SiemReap #visitsiemreap #srahsrang #statetemple #takeonlyphotos #temple #travel #visitcambodia #worldculturalheritage

Common heritage framed by trees

Framed by trees and jungle, the Sâmbor Prey Kŭh temples of pre-Angkor Chenla kingdom was added to our common World Cultural Heritage list in 2017.

I visited this site and took this photo the year before this admittance, in the end of December 2016.

The bridge city near the river city Kampong Thom
North of the Kampong Thom city area the Sambor Prei Kouk complex marks the old capital Isanapura of the Chenla civilization.

The Funan state was a loosely organized confederation of cities and lesser kingdoms with large population centres and advanced technology. It was established around the start of current Common Era and lasted about 500 years, covering most of today’s Cambodia and Thailand, Southern Viet Nam, and northern part of Malaysia.

Establishing the Chenla kingdom marks the rapid development of architecture, culture and society building into a unified centralised kingdom and culture. This led into the foundations of the Angkor era. The Chenla kings increased their power north into today’s Laos and close to Burma.

The Chenla capital city Isanapura (Khmer: ឦសានបុរៈ – Isan Borak) was the core city of pre-Khmer Empire for 250 years, between 550 and 800 CE. The first writings in the Khmer alphabet are found here, marking a continuous written culture lasting up to modern times.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambor_Prei_Kuk

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Sunset over the great port city

The province capital of Kampong Thom province is a nice stop halfway between Phnom Penh and Siem Reab. Over the years, the city has developed in a rapid tempo, and I find it more and more interesting to visit to check on the progress.
Cradle of the Khmer Empire
The area was an important capital in the pre-Khmer era, when the Funan culture and later the capital of the Chenla Kingdom lay down the basis for the great Angkor Empire.
Today it is a logical place to stay for the surrounding cultural and historic sites, including the UNESCO heritage site Prasat Sambor Prei Kouk. This was the state temples for Chenla Kingdom from 500 to 800 CE.
A hub for communication
The buses running from the capital via National Road 6 to Siem Reap and on to the Thai border often stops here. There are lodgings available from high end to hostels, markets, shops, restaurants and cafés.
Including a couple of really nice breakfast places, traditional or modern.
Notable sites are the city centre roundabout with the Independence monument, and the elephant statues fighting two tigers. On the north side of the river lays a large, see worthy pagoda.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kampong_Thom_city

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