Date of Construction:
Late 9th - Early 10th century AD
Religious Affiliation: Hindu
Patron or King:
Yasovarman I
Artistic/Archeo. Style:
Bakheng
Location: AAP - PC near the
South gate of Angkor Thom
Duration of Visit: 1 hour +
Time to Visit: Late afternoon
for sunset, anytime
Photography Notes:
Sunset over the
Tonle Sap Lake. Angkor Wat temple set in the jungle about 1km
away. For Angkor Wat bring a long lens (400mm)
The construction of this temple mountain on
Phnom Bakheng (Bakheng Hill), the first major temple to
be constructed in the Angkor area, marked the move of the
capital of the Khmer empire from Roluos to Angkor in the late
9th century AD. It served as King Yasovarman I's state-temple at
the center of his new capital city Yasodharapura. The foundation
of Bakheng is carved from the existing rock edifice
rather than the laterite and earthfill of most other temples.
Bakheng's hilltop location makes it the most popular sunset
location in the area, offering a view of the Tonle Sap Lake and
a distant
Angkor Wat in the jungle. (A
good photo of Angkor Wat in the distance requires at least a
400mm lens.) The temple is usually overcrowded at sunset,
sometimes even completely overrun by tourists. Due to overuse
and damage, the main stairway up the mountain has been closed
and an alternate path to the top has been opened. Elephant rides
up and down the hill are also available from about 4:00PM till
sunset. $15/person up the mountain. $10 per person down the
mountain. |
