Sunset at Phnom Bakheng Siem Reap Cambodia
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Walk with ChaMike at Phnom Bakheng.
This was the fourth and last temple we visited at the Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap. We came in full circle as we started the temple tour by catching the sunrise at Angkor Wat and ended it by witnessing the sunset at Phnom Bakheng.
Phnom Bakheng is a Buddhist and Hindu temple located on top of a hill famous for the magnificent viewpoint during dusk.
How to go to Phnom Bakheng
Phnom Bakheng is a Buddhist and Hindu temple located on top of a hill famous for the magnificent viewpoint during dusk.
How to go to Phnom Bakheng
Almost all the hotels in Siem Reap offer tours/transportation going to the temples of Angkor Archeological Park, in our case our hotel offers two options - via van or via tuk-tuk, we chose the latter as we wanted to try riding the local transportation plus it is way cheaper than renting a van as we are just two.
Read: La Rose Blanche Boutique Hotel Siem Reap Cambodia
Because Mike and I wanted to finish all the temple exploration in one day, we availed of the following:
Sunrise in Angkor Wat
Small Tour - Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm
Sunset at Phnom Bankeng
Because Mike and I wanted to finish all the temple exploration in one day, we availed of the following:
Sunrise in Angkor Wat
Small Tour - Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm
Sunset at Phnom Bankeng
The entire tour costs $25 (Php 1,200++) only, included in this fare are side trips going back at our hotel, going to Blossom Cafe and Cuisine Wat Damnak so it was really a good deal. I told you it's cheap here.
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| Temple map from www.canbypublicaitons.com |
Entrance Fee for Angkor Archeological Park
1 day - $20
3 days - $40
We first stopped at the ticket office where we paid $20 (Php 960++) each for a one day exploration. One day was enough for us since we wanted to visit the main sites only.
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| Ticket booth |
This ticket is the entrance fee for all the temples in Angkor Archeological Park.
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| Printed ticket with our photo and date of entry |
After the tiring temple tour at Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm we decided to go back to our hotel in La Rose Blanche Boutique to have lunch and rest for a bit. We then tried the cupcakes at Blossom Cafe for a quick dessert treat then our driver drove us back to the Angkor Archeological Park to catch the sunset at Phom Bakheng.
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| Going to Angkor Archeological Park |
Phnom Bakheng is located atop a hill and going there has two options - by foot or by an elephant ride. Mike, being an animal enthusiast, chose the latter.
Elephant Ride Fee
Climb Up | $20 per person
Going Down | $20 per person
Going Up and Down | $40 per person
We only availed the one way elephant ride going up.
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| Mike paying for our elephant ride |
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| Our tickets |
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| Elephants! |
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| Of course, the animal lover |
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| Here we go! |
We also availed the printed photo with the elephant for an instant souvenir for $3
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| Walk with Elephant |
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| The elephant knows how to pose |
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| Cambodians are nice enough to discreetly ask for a tip. I remember in Thailand, Thais used the elephant's trunk to ask for a tip from costumers. It's a bit gross. |
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| We're almost there! |
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| Angkor Wat from the hill of Phnom Bakheng |
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| Happy Mike :) |
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| Yay! We were part of the first 300 |
We climbed going to the top and when we reached it we already saw a good number of people roaming around and waiting for the most anticipated sunset.
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| Okay, so what else do we see here? |
Phnom Bakheng is the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor area, so obviously this temple is ruined. But because of its popularity for the magnificent view during sunset, tourists flock this area making it overcrowded during that time. The reason why the authorities are limiting the flow of crowd is because of the danger it can cause.
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| Phnom Bakheng |
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| some remnants behind |
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| These towers were the ones left |
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| Sandstones from centuries ago |
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| The waiting crowd |
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| The sun is still up |
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| The view around 5pm |
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| Dusk |
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| Just a few minutes left for that dramatic sundown |
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| Almost twilight |
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| We need to go Mr Sun, we can't wait for your goodbye :( |
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| Going down :( |
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| Queue of people waiting |
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| I feel sorry for you guys |
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| Decided to walk down instead |
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| Goodbye Elephants! |
We were able to get to the restaurant on time (6:30 pm) but it was too late when I knew we could be there at 7:30 pm. Lesson: Always do your research!
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