Other "Temples" around Siem Reap

Although the temples around Siem Reap that were the highlights for me I covered in previous blog entries, there are still many more.

One of the best was Kbal Spean. Not only did it involve 90 minutes of peaceful travel in a tuktuk through rural Cambodia, this was then followed by a 1.5 kilometre walk through the jungle. The destination is very different- carved figures in rocks beside a stream and above a small waterfall. Some looked like bells, other were people (or gods) plus there were lingas carved into rocks in the base of the stream. These resembled a checkerboard of round circles on top of the rocks, often hard to see because of a covering of mud. Many locals come here for picnics and to splash in the stream, while a couple of saffron-clad monks were also there when I was. Here are some photos.

This is Sras Srang, what today looks like a large lake but was actually once the Royal Baths. Its shores make a popular place on the weekends. Here I met the girl below in the pink, who talked to me - well actually tried to get me to buy something from her - while playing on the boat. She eventually left to head off for English lessons.

Bakong Temple shown below is part of the Rolous group. These structures were built prior to those closer to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. It is believed to be the first temple with the pyramidal structure. It looks better in black and white than in colour.

The feet of a statue in front of Chou Say Thevoda, a small structure that was under heavy renovation when I visited.

Also part of the Roluos group is Neak Pean, another very different structure. Resembling a Buddhist stupa, the temple is surrounded by pools with stone stairs leading down to its shore. The photo below shows the detail of a statue depicting a horse rescuing drowning sailors.

My favourite: Ta Prohm or the Jungle Temple

Ta Prohm is a wonderfully atmospheric place where the jungle trees are trying to take back over the land that in the 12th and 13th centuries was used as a place to build this rambling Buddhist temple complex. Tree roots climb over stone walls, surround doorways and push their way through crack in the walls. Further evidence of the age of the place (and the jungle humidity), is the splattering of pale link and light green on the rocks and stones courtesy of the thriving lichen. Follow the meandering corridors and get lost or retrace your steps after a pile of rocks block the way. Not surprising that is was used as the eerie backdrop for the Tomb Raider movie.

Here are some photos to show you why -:

Angkor Wat

This is what draws everyone to Siem Reap and the Angkor complex but it is definitely not my favourite temple complex there. It is spectacular both at sunrise and sunset but there are hordes of people. Considering I was there in low season I dread to think what it is like in high season.

The best time to go inside is straight after sunrise when hardly anyone is there as all the sunrise watchers go back to their hotels for breakfast. It was so quiet, serene as the sunlight gradually lights ups the walls and carvings.

Anyway, here are a few photos.

Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Having been to the Forbidden City on a previous brief visit to Beijing, this time I went to the Temple of Heaven. The spectacular temples are set amid a 267 hectare park with walkways and shady trees. A very peaceful oasis in the bustle of Beijing At the centre of the complex is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. it is built without nails and has solid wooden columns made from a single tree supporting the ceiling. Originally it was built in 1420 but burnt down and was then rebuilt. It has ornate painting decoration both inside and out as can be seen below.

The number of pillars inside all have symbolic meaning. It is 35 cm high and 30 metres in diameter.

Also with symbolic meaning is the round shape of the Imperial Vault of Heaven temple and its square base below. All the structures of examples of Ming architecture.
This is some painted detail seen on the painted beams in green and blue that shade the walkway to the central temples from the East Gate.