The temples at Angkor are spread out over some 40 miles around the village of Siem Reap, about 192 miles from the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. They were built between the eighth and 13th centuries and range from single towers made of bricks to vast stone temple complexes. There are two main sites where the Khmer temples are located. The first is at Roluos which is about 10 miles south east of today's village of Siem Reap, where only a few of the earlier temples were built. This was the first Khmer capital in the Angkor area. In the late ninth century, Yasovarman I moved the capital to the immediate vicinity of Siem Reap. This is a much larger site, where the majority of the Khmer temples are located. It is officially known as the City of Angkor. There are other temples located in the area, some up to 20 miles away from Siem Reap. Khmer temples can also be found in many other parts of Cambodia, as well as China, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
Today, a great deal of restoration work has been done on many of the temples. However, because of the lack of security in Cambodia and the continuing rebel insurgency around the Angkor region, some of the temples are closed to tourists. The major temples, as listed below, are usually open to tourists.
MAJOR TEMPLES AT ANGKOR:
ANGKOR WAT:
Regarded as the supreme masterpiece of Khmer architecture, it is a huge pyramid temple built by Suryavarman II between 1113 and 1150. It is surrounded by a moat 570 feet wide and about four miles long. The mass of bas-relief carving is of the highest quality and the most beautifully executed in Angkor.
BAKONG:
The central temple in Indravarman I's city of Hariharalaya. It is a large pyramid temple, measuring 180 feet square at the base. It was built towards the end of the ninth century.
BANTEAI SREI:
A delicate and small temple around 15 miles from the village of Siem Reap. It was built by Jayavarman V and finished in AD968. It is an example of the idea of making a temple complex comprised of several buildings, and features some very fine carvings in pink sandstone.
THE BAPHUON:
A large pyramid temple built by Udayadityavarman II between 1050 and 1066. It features beautiful carvings including a 131-foot reclining Buddha.
THE BAYON:
A massive temple complex built by Jayavarman VII between 1181 and 1220. It features 3,936 feet of superb bas-relief carving and mysterious Buddha faces carved on the towers of the third level.
PREAH KO:
An early temple at the Roluos site about 10 miles from Siem Reap. It was built by Indravarman I in the late ninth century.
PREAH KHAN:
Built by Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century, this large temple is very well preserved and features excellent carvings.
TA PROHM:
A very large temple complex enclosed by a moat. It is one of the most beautiful of the Khmer temples as it has not been restored, but has been left surrounded by jungle. It was built by Jayavarman VII in the later 12th century.
TA KEO:
A sandstone temple built by Jayavarman V between AD968 and 1001. It has a large central tower surrounded by four smaller towers.
KINGS OF FUNAN, CHENLA AND KAMBUJA (1st century - 1220):
AD 1st century
Funan is founded by Kambu, an Indian brahmin.
c. AD245
Visit of the Chinese ambassadors to Funan.
AD357
Rule of King Chandan, probably of Indian descent.
AD514
Rule of King Rudravarman.
c. AD550
King Bhavavarman, who rules Chenla, annexes Funan to Chenla.
*** TRANSITION PERIOD: Funan becomes fully incorporated into Chenla ***
AD600 - 611
Rule of King Mahendravarman, followed by King Isanavarman.
c. AD750
Rule of Jayavarman I. He extends the empire and builds temples.
c. AD780
Weakness and civil war. The Saliendra dynasty in Java dominates the region and Chenla becomes a vassal state to this dynasty.
*** TRANSITION PERIOD: Chenla becomes the independent Khmer kingdom of Kambuja ***
c. AD800
Rule of Jayavarman II.
AD850
Rule of Jayavarman III.
AD875
Rule of Indravarman I.
AD890
Rule of Yasovarman I.
AD900
Rule of Harshavarman I (brother of Yasovarman I).
AD921
Harshavarman's uncle, Jayavarman IV divides the kingdom and sets up a rival capital at Koh Ker.
AD930 - 944
Usurper rules, followed by his son, in a new capital.
