About Angkor Wat & How to buy a ticket to Angkor Wat
The beauty of Angkor Wat is like none other. It is almost more impressing than the luxury of the pyramids. This amazing structure sports a uniqueness almost like that of the Taj Mahal. Angkor Wat is situated about six kilometers north of Siem Reap which is South of Angkor Thom. Entrance and exit to Angkor Wat can only be done through the west gate.
Angkor Wat was constructed in the early part of the 12th century. The estimated time it required to construct Angkor Wat was 30 years. This was carried out by King Suryavaarman II who dedicated it to Vishnu, a replication of the style of art of Angkor Thom.
Angkor Wat Background
Angkor Wat, which Is the most massive monument of the group of Angkor and the one that has been preserved the best. It is a masterpiece of architecture, its perfection in balance, proportions, balance, sculpture, and relief makes it one of the world’s finest monuments.
The Khmer name for a temple is Wat and this was perhaps what was added to “Angkor’’ when it turned to a Theravada Buddhist monument, possibly in the sixteenth century. Buddhist monks were responsible for caring for Angkor Wat when the capital was relocated to Phnom Penh after the year 1432.
It is accepted generally that Angkor Wat was King Suryarvarman’s II Fernery temple and it was oriented to the west to fit with the symbolism between death and the setting sun. The bas-relifs, constructed for viewing in the order of Hindu funeral ritual which is from left to right support this role.
Architectural Plan of Angkor Wat
It is tedious to grasp the plan of Angkor Wat when moving through the monument due to how wide it is. Its beauty and complexity both distract and attract one’s attention. From afar, Angkor Wat seems to be a massive mass of stone at one level with a lengthy causeway which leads to the middle. But up close, it is a bunch of chambers, porches, elevated towers and courtyards on diverse levels liked by stairways.
Angor Wat’s Height from the ground to the topper most part of the central tower is larger than it may seem. It is 699 feet or 213 meters which are attained with three square or rectangular levels.
The height of Angkor Wat from the ground to the top of the central tower is greater than it might appear: 213 meters (699 feet), achieved with three rectangular or square levels (1-3) each one is a bit smaller and more elevated than the one underneath it beginning from the temple’s outer limit.
The first and second level boundaries are defined by covered galleries. There are five towers supported by the third level which includes one in the middle and four at the corners. This is the architectural feature of Angkor Wat that is the most prominent. The arrangement is sometimes known as a quincunx.
How to buy a ticket to Angkor Wat
Tickets to Angkor Wat don’t come cheap, but you can be certain that you would have no regrets if you purchase them. By buying the ticket, you would be given access to all the temples in Angkor asides from Beng Mealea and Phnom Kulen.
There are a host of rules as well as some applicable fines, but if you have your Angkor tickets with you at every point, you would not have to be bothered about things like that.
Admission Cost or Fees
To pay a visit to sites and temples in the Angkor Archeological Park, you must have an admission pass which is also known as an Angkor pass. Passes may be bought at the main entrance on the route to Angkor Wat.
The passes come in various prices which include As of (2017/2018):
One day pass: $37
Three days pass: $62
Seven days Pass: $72
These must be utilized on consecutive days.
Visiting hours
Visiting hours take place from 5 am – 6 pm. Banteay Srey closes at 5 pm while Angor Wat closes at 6 pm. Additionally, Kbal Spean closes at 3 pm. It’s advisable to always go along with your ticket as it would be check at the entry of every major temple and park. There is a huge fine if you do not process a valid ticket in the park. You do not need a regular admission ticket to pay a visit to Beng Melea, Kor Ker or Phnom Kulen, but there are separate entrance fees of $5, $10 and $20 respectively.
Purchasing the Ticket to Angkor Wat
The ticket can be purchased at the official ticket booth of Angkor Wat situated around 2km from Angkor Wat itself. Tickets or passes can also be gotten at the Banteay Srei temple.
Getting the ticket
You can get your pass at the official Angkor Wat ticket booth located about 2 km from Angkor Wat itself. They also sell passes at the Banteay Srei temple.
Angkor Wat Pass – Taking photo
There is a digital photo of you taken and printed on your ticket.
Free pass
If you purchase your ticket after 5 pm, you will get a free day. This is because the Angkor temples officially close at sunset. So even though you are allowed to see the temple the same day you buy your ticket, the count won’t begin officially until the next day.
You may decide to utilize the additional free hours however you deem fit, but most individuals utilize it in watching the extra sunset of the Angkor temple. There are not less than three temples to select from for sunset which includes Pre Rup, Angkor Wat, and Phnom Bakheng.
The Angkor pass
You would have to ensure your ticket is kept in pristine condition at all times. This may be quite difficult because the paper your pass is printed on is not that durable. A rip or tear to the pass could render it obsolete and invalid.
