Searching for national treasures and seeing it with your own eyes is now possible by visiting the most notable royal temple known as the Silver Pagoda or commonly known as Wat Preah Keo. This is known to be a very special place in Cambodia for it boasts different Buddha statues regarded as one of the most significant treasures of the country, and one of which is the Emerald Buddha. Apart from it being a house of jeweled and royal Buddha statues, the Silver Pagoda is likewise the official sanctuary and holy place of the king of Cambodia.

There are still many interesting facts about this place that sparks interest from many tourists, and among those remarkable and fascinating information are as follows:

• The Silver Pagoda’s magnificence and grandiose – The temple of the Emerald Buddha was then made of wood in the year 1962. But as time passed by, the entirety of the place was re-erected and restructured into concrete and marble with more than 5000 silver tiles making up the entire flooring of the temple. Not to mention that each silver tile weighs an approximate mass of 1 kilo.

• Richness in terms of historical aspect – The Silver Pagoda has remained to be one of the most famous and favored historical places in Cambodia as it housed many ancient artifacts and jewels. Aside from this; the pagoda is the only temple that has remained intact and unharmed all throughout these years.

So for those tourists who are planning to visit this historical temple, an entrance fee of $3 is required along with $2 fee if you’re going to bring along a digital camera and $5 for video cameras. However, taking shots is only permissible outside of the temple and proper attire must be observed at all times.

Built from 802 to 1220 AD by the Khmer civilization, the temples at Angkor represent one of the most enduring and astonishing architectural achievements of humankind. The more than 100 stone structures that we see today are the surviving remnants of a grand administrative, religious, and social metropolis. The other buildings (public buildings, palaces, homes, etc.) were actually built from wood and do not exist anymore.

Conventional theories assume that the land where Angkor is located was chosen as the settlement spot due to its strategic position for military purposes, as well as its agricultural potential. However, other scholars think that the location and the arrangement of Angkor was based on planet-spanning sacred land from archaic periods.

Angkor Wat was built early in 1100s by Suryavarman over an estimated 30 years and honors Vishnu, the Hindu god. The ruins are a symbolic structure of Hindu cosmology. This is actually the biggest monument in the group, as well as the best preserved. The wonder is located about 4 miles to the north of Siem Reap and south of Angkor Thom, and Angkor Wat is only accessible from its gate to the west.

Angkor Wat consists of a huge temple that symbolizes Mt. Meru, a mythic mountain, and its 5 walls and moats are a representation of mountainous chains, as well as the cosmic ocean. This temple was a funerary temple built for King Suryavarman II. The vast compound’s short dimensions are aligned precisely along the north-south axis, and the east to west axis was diverted deliberately 0.75° to give its observers an anticipation of the equinox in spring for 3 days.

Pictures & Photos

Angkor Wat Towers Seen From the West Main Approach
Photo by: cornstaruk

Moat View of the Angkor Wat
Photo by: jurvetson

Sunrise Over Angkor Wat
Photo by: jurvetson

Interesting Color View of Angkor Wat
Photo by: tylerdurden1

Aerail View of Angkor Wat
Photo by: WikiCommons

Beautiful View of the Sky and the Reflected Shadow
Photo by: inottawa

Light Up at Night
Photo by: mckaysavage

How Old Is This Tree/
Photo by: alfaneque

Angkor Wat Reflected in The Clear Water
Photo by: cornstaruk

Another Angle of Angkor Wat
Photo by: visualcuriosity

How Can This Tree Survive?
Photo by: Augapfel

Sunset, Too Dark To See Anything
Photo by: James Khoo

Nice View of the Temple, Too Much Tourists Though
Photo by: gumuz

What is That Kid Pointing At?
Photo by: permanently scatterbrained

These Monks Have Nothing to Do?
Photo by: beggs

North Library at Angkor Wat
Photo by: Augapfel

Viewed From the Northwest
Photo by: WikiCommons

Another Section of the Angkor Wat
Photo by: jenniferphoon

Devatas (Female Guardians), Fount at Angkor Wat
Photo by: WikiCommons

The Bas Relief of the Churning of the Sea
Photo by: WikiCommons

Who Stole The Buddha's Head?
Photo by: mckaysavage

Angkor Thom - North of Angkor Wat
Photo by: permanently scatterbrained

Angkor Thom - Attracts More Archeologists Than Tourists
Photo by: jurvetson

Who is He Smiling At? Found At Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom
Photo by: The Wandering Angel