Angkor Wat temple,Cambodia

Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) (Khmer: អង្គរវត្ត) is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation—first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmerarchitecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture, with key features such as the Jagati. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunxarchitecture, its extensive bas-reliefs and for the numerous devatasThe modern name, Angkor Wat, means "City Temple"; Angkor is a vernacular form of the word nokor which comes from the Sanskrit word nagara meaning capital. wat is the Khmer word for temple. Prior to this time the temple was known as Preah Pisnulok, after the posthumous title of its founder, Suryavarman II.^[1] of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the (guardian spirits) adorning its walls.

Angkor Wat History

The whole Angkor period spans for more than VI centuries, and more precisely from IX till XV century. During this period the Khmer empire reached its maximum splendor as one of the most powerful southeast asian kingdoms. In this period the whole area of Angkor was buit. We can consider Jayavarman II as the man that started everything. He define himself Devaraja (good king) and he established the Khmer empire in 802.

After him, Indravarman, a king considered by many of its time an usurper: we prefer to remember him for starting building the Baray, a complex irrigation system to bring waters in the area of Angkor. He also started to build the Bakong and the Preah Ko temples. His son Yasovarman went further in his father's project: he built the Phnom Bakheng and the Lolei temples, and with him, Angkor become the new capital of the kingdom. These two king further extent the Baray's system too.

Then the capital was moved to Koh Ker for a short period, under the kingdom of Jayavarman IV, an usurper, but after only 14 years Angkor become again the capital under Rajendravarman II. His son, Jayavarman V, was instead a great king, and with him the empire expanded to its maximum extent. Two wonderful temples, as Banteay Srei and Ta Keo were built.

After him, Udayaditavarman II built the pyramid of Baphuon and the western Mebon (we are now at the half of XI century), and here we are really close to the very peak of the Khmer civilization, two great king the left once forever their footstep in the history of this planet and they are Suryavarman II and Jayavarman II. The first king built Bang Melea but it also the one that built Angkor Wat. The second king has built Preach Khan, Ta Phrom and Angkor Thom.

As you will see with your eyes these last temple are traces of a high level civilization, with an exquisite taste for art. An enormous job that involved not only an army of thousands workers doing the hard job, building, moving rock and materials and so on. There was another parallel army of thousands of artists and artisans. Angkor Wat is also them. We will never know their names, or their faces, but what they left us fulfill our hearts with something magic. The walls of Angkor, they also speak about their lives, their customs, their salaries: Angkor was not only a religious place, but a capital crowded with a million people.

History

Angkor Wat is the southernmost temple of Angkor's main group of sites.

An 1866 photograph of Angkor Wat by Emile Gsell

Angkor Wat lies 5.5 km north of the modern town of Siem Reap, and a short distance south and slightly east of the previous capital, which was centred on the Baphuon. It is in an area of Cambodia where there is an important group of ancient structures. It is the southernmost of Angkor's main sites.

The initial design and construction of the temple took place in the first half of the 12th century, during the reign of Suryavarman II (ruled 1113 – c. 1150). Dedicated to Vishnu, it was built as the king's state temple and capital city. As neither the foundation stela nor any contemporary inscriptions referring to the temple have been found, its original name is unknown, but it may have been known as Vrah Vishnulok after the presiding deity. Work seems to have ended shortly after the king's death, leaving some of the bas-relief decoration unfinished.^[2] In 1177, approximately 27 years after the death of Suryavarman II, Angkor was sacked by the Chams, the traditional enemies of the Khmer. Thereafter the empire was restored by a new king, Jayavarman VII, who established a new capital and state temple (Angkor Thom and the Bayon respectively) a few kilometres to the north.

In the late 13th century, King Jayavarman VIII, who was Hindu, was deposed by his son in law, Srindravarman. Srindravarman had spent the previous 10 years in Sri Lanka becoming ordained as a Buddhist monk. Hence, the new King decided to convert the official religion of the empire from Hindu to Buddhist. Given the constant political corruption of the time, citizens were quick to follow a faith founded on tranquility without a need for material gain and power. This made the conversion relatively easy. ^[3] Hence, Angkor Wat was converted from Hindu to Theravada Buddhist use, which continues to the present day. Angkor Wat is unusual among the Angkor temples in that although it was somewhat neglected after the 16th century it was never completely abandoned, its preservation being due in part to the fact that its moat also provided some protection from encroachment by the jungle.^[4]

One of the first Western visitors to the temple was Antonio da Magdalena, a Portuguese monk who visited in 1586 and said that it "is of such extraordinary construction that it is not possible to describe it with a pen, particularly since it is like no other building in the world. It has towers and decoration and all the refinements which the human genius can conceive of".^[5] However, the temple was popularised in the West only in the mid-19th century on the publication of Henri Mouhot's travel notes. The French explorer wrote of it:

"One of these temples—a rival to that of Solomon, and erected by some ancient Michelangelo—might take an honourable place beside our most beautiful buildings. It is grander than anything left to us by Greece or Rome, and presents a sad contrast to the state of barbarism in which the nation is now plunged."^[6]

Mouhot, like other early Western visitors, was unable to believe that the Khmers could have built the temple, and mistakenly dated it to around the same era as Rome. The true history of Angkor Wat was pieced together only from stylistic and epigraphic evidence accumulated during the subsequent clearing and restoration work carried out across the whole Angkor site.

There were no ordinary dwellings or houses or other signs of settlement including cooking utensils weapons or items of clothing usually found at ancient sites. Instead there is the evidence of the monuments themselves. ^[7]

Angkor Wat required considerable restoration in the 20th century, mainly the removal of accumulated earth and vegetation.^[8] Work was interrupted by the civil war and Khmer Rouge control of the country during the 1970s and 1980s, but relatively little damage was done during this period other than the theft and destruction of mostly post-Angkorian statues.^[9]

The temple has become a symbol of Cambodia, and is a source of great national pride. A depiction of Angkor Wat has been a part of Cambodian national flags since the introduction of the first version circa 1863.^[10] In January 2003 riots erupted in Phnom Penh when a false rumour circulated that a Thai soap opera actress had claimed that Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand.^[11]

[edit] Angkor Wat today

This model of Angkor Wat is designed to give tourists an overview of the site. In the foreground is depicted the cruciform terrace which lies in front of the central structure.

The Archaeological Survey of India carried out restoration work on the temple between 1986 and 1992. [1] Since the 1990s, Angkor Wat has seen continued conservation efforts and a massive increase in tourism. The temple is part of the Angkor World Heritage Site, established in 1992, which has provided some funding and has encouraged the Cambodian government to protect the site.^[44] The German Apsara Conservation Project (GACP) is working to protect the devatas and other bas-reliefs which decorate the temple from damage. The organisation's survey found that around 20% of the devatas were in very poor condition, mainly because of natural erosion and deterioration of the stone but in part also due to earlier restoration efforts.^[45] Other work involves the repair of collapsed sections of the structure, and prevention of further collapse: the west facade of the upper level, for example, has been buttressed by scaffolding since 2002,^[46] while a Japanese team completed restoration of the north library of the outer enclosure in 2005.^[47] World Monuments Fund began work on the Churning of the Sea of Milk Gallery in 2008.

Angkor Wat has become a major tourist destination. In 2004 and 2005, government figures suggest that, respectively, 561,000 and 677,000 foreign visitors arrived in Siem Reap province, approximately 50% of all foreign tourists in Cambodia for both years.^[48] The influx of tourists has so far caused relatively little damage, other than some graffiti; ropes and wooden steps have been introduced to protect the bas-reliefs and floors, respectively. Tourism has also provided some additional funds for maintenance—as of 2000 approximately 28% of ticket revenues across the whole Angkor site was spent on the temples—although most work is carried out by foreign government-sponsored teams rather than by the Cambodian authorities.^[49]

Sunrise at Angkor Wat Order Fine Art Print

There are two great complexes of ancient temples in Southeast Asia, one at Bagan in Burma, the other at Angkor in Cambodia. The temples of Angkor, built by the Khmer civilization between 802 and 1220 AD, represent one of humankind's most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements. From Angkor the Khmer kings ruled over a vast domain that reached from Vietnam to China to the Bay of Bengal. The structures one sees at Angkor today, more than 100 stone temples in all, are the surviving remains of a grand religious, social and administrative metropolis whose other buildings - palaces, public buildings, and houses - were built of wood and are long since decayed and gone.

Conventional theories presume the lands where Angkor stands were chosen as a settlement site because of their strategic military position and agricultural potential. Alternative scholars, however, believe the geographical location of the Angkor complex and the arrangement of its temples was based on a planet-spanning sacred geography from archaic times. Using computer simulations it has been shown that the ground plan of the Angkor complex – the terrestrial placement of its principal temples - mirrors the stars in the constellation of Draco at the time of spring equinox in 10,500 BC. While the date of this astronomical alignment is far earlier than any known construction at Angkor, it appears that its purpose was to architecturally mirror the heavens in order to assist in the harmonization of the earth and the stars. Both the layout of the Angkor temples and iconographic nature of much its sculpture, particularly the asuras (‘demons’) and devas (‘deities’) are also intended to indicate the celestial phenomenon of the precession of the equinoxes and the slow transition from one astrological age to another.

At the temple of Phnom Bakheng there are 108 surrounding towers. The number 108, considered sacred in both Hindu and Buddhist cosmologies, is the sum of 72 plus 36 (36 being ½ of 72). The number 72 is a primary number in the sequence of numbers linked to the earth’s axial precession, which causes the apparent alteration in the position of the constellations over the period of 25,920 years, or one degree every 72 years. Another mysterious fact about the Angkor complex is its location 72 degrees of longitude east of the Pyramids of Giza. The temples of Bakong, Prah Ko and Prei Monli at Roluos, south of the main Angkor complex, are situated in relation to each other in such a way that they mirror the three stars in the Corona Borealis as they appeared at dawn on the spring equinox in 10,500 BC. It is interesting to note that the Corona Borealis would not have been visible from these temples during the 10th and 11th centuries when they were constructed.

Angkor Wat, built during the early years of the 12th century by Suryavaram II, honors the Hindu god Vishnu and is a symbolic representation of Hindu cosmology. Consisting of an enormous temple symbolizing the mythic Mt. Meru, its five inter-nested rectangular walls and moats represent chains of mountains and the cosmic ocean. The short dimensions of the vast compound are precisely aligned along a north-south axis, while the east-west axis has been deliberately diverted 0.75 degrees south of east and north of west, seemingly in order to give observers a three day anticipation of the spring equinox.

Unlike other temples at Angkor, Ta Prohm has been left as it was found, preserved as an example of what a tropical forest will do to an architectural monument when the protective hands of humans are withdrawn. Ta Prohm's walls, roofs, chambers and courtyards have been sufficiently repaired to stop further deterioration, and the inner sanctuary has been cleared of bushes and thick undergrowth, but the temple has been left in the stranglehold of trees. Having planted themselves centuries ago, the tree's serpentine roots pry apart the ancient stones and their immense trunks straddle the once bustling Buddhist temple. Built in the later part of the 12^th century by Jayavarman VII, Ta Prohm is the terrestrial counterpart of the star Eta Draconis the Draco constellation.

During half-millennia of Khmer occupation, the city of Angkor became a pilgrimage destination of importance throughout Southeastern Asia. Sacked by the Thais in 1431 and abandoned in 1432, Angkor was forgotten for a few centuries. Wandering Buddhist monks, passing through the dense jungles, occasionally came upon the awesome ruins. Recognizing the sacred nature of the temples but ignorant of their origins, they invented fables about the mysterious sanctuaries, saying they had been built by the gods in a far ancient time. Centuries passed, these fables became legends, and pilgrims from the distant reaches of Asia sought out the mystic city of the gods. A few adventurous European travelers knew of the ruins and stories circulated in antiquarian circles of a strange city lost in the jungles. Most people believed the stories to be nothing more than legend however, until the French explorer Henri Mouhot brought Angkor to the world's attention in 1860. The French people were enchanted with the ancient city and beginning in 1908 funded and superbly managed an extensive restoration project. The restoration has continued to the present day, excepting periods in the 70's and 80's when military fighting prevented archaeologists from living near the ruins.

Orthodox archaeologists sometimes interpret the temples of the Angkor complex as tombs of megalomaniacal kings yet in reality those kings designed and constructed the temples as a form of service to both god and their own subjects. The temples were places not for the worship of the kings but rather for the worship of god. Precisely aligned with the stars, constructed as vast three dimensional yantras and adorned with stunningly beautiful religious art, the Angkor temples were instruments for assisting humans in their realization of the divine.

Jayavaram VII, spoke of his intentions in erecting temples as being:

“full of deep sympathy for the good of the world, so as to bestow on men the ambrosia of remedies to win them immortality….By virtue of these good works would that I might rescue all those who are struggling in the ocean of existence.”

Temple of Ta Prohm, Angkor, Cambodia (Order Fine Art Print)

Stone Heads of Bodhisattva Avilokiteshvara, Bayon temple, Angkor, Cambodia (Order Fine Art Print)

Preah Vihear Temple

The Preah Vihear Temple or Prasat Preah Vihear (Khmer: ប្រាសាទព្រះវិហារ, Prasat Preah Vihear) is a Khmer temple situated atop a 525-metre (1,722 ft) cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, in the Preah Vihear province of northern Cambodia and near the border of the Kantharalak district (amphoe) in the Sisaket province of eastern Thailand. In 1962, following a significant dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over ownership of the temple, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague awarded the ownership to Cambodia.

Affording a view for many kilometers across a plain, Prasat Preah Vihear has the most spectacular setting of all the temples built during the six-centuries-long Khmer Empire. As a key edifice of the empire's spiritual life, it was supported and modified by successive kings and so bears elements of several architectural styles. Preah Vihear is unusual among Khmer temples in being constructed along a long north-south axis, rather than having the conventional rectangular plan with orientation toward the east. The temple gives its name to Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, in which it is now located, as well as the Khao Phra Wihan National Park which borders it in Thailand's Sisaket province, through which the temple is most easily accessible. On July 7, 2008, Preah Vihear was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.^[1]

[edit] Nomenclature

Preah Vihear is transliterated into Thai as Prasat Phra Viharn (ปราสาทพระวิหาร) or Prasat Khao Phra Viharn (ปราสาทเขาพระวิหาร) [In Thai the"Ph" is pronounced simply "p"]. Prasat (ប្រាសាទ) has the same meaning in Khmer,Thai, and Sanskrit ("castle", sometimes "temple"; in Sanskrit प्रासाद), and Khao is the Thai word for "hill" or "mountain" (in Khmer: "phnom" (ភ្នំ), Cambodians occasionally refer to "Phnom Preah Vihear" (ភ្នំព្រះវិហារ) as Thais usually refer to "Khao Phra Viharn"). The words "Preah" (ព្រះ) and "Phra" (พระ) mean "sacred", and the words "Vihear" (វិហារ)/"Viharn" (วิหาร) mean "shrine" (the central structure of the temple). In Thai, the word "khao" (เขา) has recently (as of 2008) been omitted from the name in order to differentiate between the temple and the cliff it is built on. Thai mass media appear to have begun this convention. The word Vihear could be related to the Sanskrit word Vihara (विहार) which means "abode."

The two versions of the name carry significant political and national connotations (see below: New dispute over ownership).

[edit] Location

Map of Cambodia and Thailand, showing the location of the temple

The temple sits atop Pey Tadi, a cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains which straddle the border between Thailand and Cambodia. During different periods it has been located in Cambodia and Thailand in turn. Following Cambodian independence and the Thai occupation of the temple it was listed by Thailand as being in Bhumsrol village (which means "village of pine trees") of Bueng Malu sub-district (now merged with Sao Thong Chai sub-district), in the Kantharalak district of the Sisaket province of eastern Thailand. It is 110 km from the Mueang Si Sa Ket district, the center of Si Sa Ket province.

After the 1962 ICJ majority ruling that it belonged to Cambodia settled ownership of the temple, it was listed as being in Svay Chrum Village, Kan Tout Commune, in Choam Khsant District of Preah Vihear province of northern Cambodia. The temple is 140 km from Angkor Wat and 320 km from Phnom Penh. ^[2]

BEANG MEALEA TEMPLE

This temple is hardly visited because it is not in the temple circuit, which is a great pity as Beng Mealea is a specially spectacular sight. It is 60km from Siem Reap but only about 7km from the Kulen Mountains. So it is best to visit this temple when touring Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean in a one-day trip. This 12th century temple built by Suryavarman II (reigned 1112-52) who built the stupendous Angkor Wat is one of the most mysterious temples at Angkor. The design is very similar to Angkor Wat but it is single-storey whereas Angkor Wat is multi-storey. A massive moat of about one km in breadth encircles this jungle-clad temple. The jungle has claimed it more securely than it did Ta Prohm, and no restoration work has been done on it. The central sanctuary has collapsed totally bringing down some most impressive carvings that can be seen on the ground among the rubble. More are on the still standing walls and archways. A library building still stands intact in the northeastern corner. It is a special place and well deserves a visit.

TONLE SAP LAKE

Cambodia's Great Lake, the Boeung Tonle Sap (Tonle Sap Lake,) is the most prominent feature on the map of Cambodia - a huge dumbbell-shaped body of water stretching across the northwest section of the country. In the wet season, the Tonle Sap Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, swelling to an expansive 12,000 km2. During the dry half of the year the Lake shrinks to as small as 2500 km2, draining into the Tonle Sap River, which meanders southeast, eventually merging with the Mekong River at the 'chaktomuk' confluence of rivers opposite Phnom Penh. But during the wet season a unique hydrologic phenomenon causes the river to reverse direction, filling the lake instead of draining it. The engine of this phenomenon is the Mekong River, which becomes bloated with snow melt and runoff from the monsoon rains in the wet season. The swollen Mekong backs up into the Tonle Sap River at the point where the rivers meet at the 'chaktomuk' confluence, forcing the waters of the Tonle Sap River back upriver into the lake. The inflow expands the surface area of lake more than five-fold, inundating the surrounding forested floodplain and supporting an extraordinarily rich and diverse eco-system. More than 100 varieties of waterbirds including several threatened and endangered species, over 200 species of fish, as well as crocodiles, turtles, macaques, otter and other wildlife inhabit the inundated mangrove forests. The Lake is also an important commercial resource, providing more than half of the fish consumed in Cambodia. In harmony with the specialized ecosystems, the human occupations at the edges of the lake is similarly distinctive - floating villages, towering stilted houses, huge fish traps, and an economy and way of life deeply intertwined with the lake, the fish, the wildlife and the cycles of rising and falling waters. Tonle Sap Exhibition in Siem Reap The Exhibition on the Khmer Heritage is sponsored by Krousar Thmey. The current exhibition is dedicated to the Tonle Sap Lake and the people, culture and environment of the area. The displays are actually quite informative and include maps, photos, models of traditional houses, boats and fishing implements with written explanations in French, English and Khmer. The highlight of the exhibit is a working scale model of the Tonle Sap Lake. There are also exhibits on the work of Krousar Thmey.

Kulen Mount

Kulen Mount
is located between Svay Leu District and Va Rin District in Siem Reap Province. It is in 48-kilometer distance from the provincial town of Siem Reap by a short cut or in 50-kilometer distance from the provincial town of Siem Reap via Sal Deu Gol Road, small circle, big circle, Preah Dak, Road A66, and then turning to the Malaysian-Developed Road.It was established during the Angkorean period by King Jayavarman II in the 9th century. It was named then as Mahendraparvata; a dedication to Mahendraparvata became a worshipping place for the Theravada Buddhism. It is well known as a sacred place of the Khmer people. During the constructional period of the ancient temples, sandy stones were brought from this sacred mountain. The means of transport were bamboo-rafting and elephant-towing. The mainattraction of this resort is the River of One Thousand Lingas or Kulen Waterfall.Recently, the resort has become not only a place of worship, but also a historical, cultural, and natural tourist resort.

Jayavarman II was the founder of the Khmer empire, and he proclaimed himself a devaraja or god king (deva = god, raja = king) possessing similar powers to the Hindu god Shiva. You'll find that this god-king theme was also adopted by his 'successors' throughout Angkor Wat's history.Jayavarman II built a temple mountain at Phnom Kulen (Kulen Hill/Mountain), and this was where he held his court. He built it on a mountain to mimic Shiva's dwelling place, the mythical Mt. Meru. By setting up his court at the top of the mountain, he was saying that Phnom Kulen was the center of the universe and that he was the king. To this day, Phnom Kulen is the most sacred site for Cambodians. Later on in history, the court was moved to Rolous.

The Phnom Kulen is no doubt the mount the most sacred of Cambodia and a very active pilgrimage place. King Jayavarman II proclaimed there independence of the country during the IXth century and dissociated the country from the Kingdom of Java. A big Buddha lying in its temple and sculpted in the rock is overlooking the vicinity.

From Siem Reap (app. 50 kms - 1h45mns drive), take the road to the temples till Banteay Srei then a trail through a dense jungle leads you to the top. First visit of the place to the sanctuary housing the Buddha where you will admire the forest around. A statue dedicated to Jayavarman II and a footprint of Buddha complete the visit.

Move to the river then, where a portion of bed is sculpted with lingas and other sculptures, before transferring to the waterfalls where you will be able to freshen up. The same water passes through Siem Reap and pours out into the Tonle Sap lake.

* Programme: morning departure via Banteay Srei. Visit the Phnom Kulen and vicinity. Return after 12pm. Lunch available both on the spot or in front of Banteay Srei where many restaurants stand.The trail leading to the Phnom Kulen is a one-way due to the closeness of some parts of road. The ascent is done compulsorily before 11am and the return is done compulsorily after 12pm.This excursion may be combined with one of our programmes SIT-ANG or SIT-KH.

Say that you love me

SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME

Oh darling when I met you, I know you’re the one for me. There you are smiling sweetly and swept me off my feel. And I hope, hope that I will always have you as my girl, so say you stay here, and that you never ever gonna leave me alone. Time just passes by; you’re still not here by my side. Is something wrong babe? Please tell me now, babe. And I’ll do the best that I can. Time just passes by; I just need you here in my life. So come on, baby .say that you love me. FROM NOW ON UNTIL END OF TIME.

CAMBODIAN CULTURAL VILLAGE

Cambodian Cultural Village, the only Cultural Village in the country is “Cambodia in miniature” located in the historical province of Siem Reap. It was constructed to provide tourists, both local and foreign a glance of the country‘s famous and historical milestone as well as a showcase of the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Khmer people.
Inside the extensive village are the representations of Cambodia’s 11 Villages featuring houses of different architectural styles while providing examples of Khmer creativity in arts and crafts. At each village, there are distinctive traditional dance performances traditional wedding ceremony, performance of ethnic minorities, Apsara Dancing, Circus, Acrobatic, popular games and especially the much awaited Grand Khmer Family white Night Shows. Wax museum exhibits the development of Cambodian Culture from the first century up to present, the way how Angkor Wat temple was built, Khmer people during the Chenla period, various characteristics and replicas of important historical people.
Cambodian Cultural Village is history, a representation of Cambodia only on a half day tour.

• Wax Museum: Exhibits the famous Cambodian historical people from the first century up to the present. Showcases the antiques and lifestyle of Khmer people during the Angkor Period.
• Millionaire House: The Millionaire House is an ancient style of Khmer construction during the Ou Doung time. It is built from fine wood materials. The place where the most popular and must see traditional Khmer Wedding is performed.
• Souvenirs: All high quality souvenirs from different provinces in Cambodia made of sandstone, marble and wood reproductions for Angkorian era Quality silk products: wallets, handbags, scarves and cushions. Well designed jewelry and more are available at the Souvenir building. All of these are produced inside the Cambodian Cultural Village work-shops.
• Cham Village: The origin of Cham people is from Champa, Vietnam. Cham people mostly live along the riverbank and make their living by fishing and blacksmithing. The principle religion is Islam.
• Chinese Village: The Chinese people have moved to live in Cambodia more than thousand years ago during the Song Dynasty. Most of them are dealing by small business, crop and vegetable. The principle religion is Buddhism.
• Kola Village: Kola people, originally from Burma since 1870, are one of the minorities living in Pailin District, northwest of Cambodia where there are plenty of precious stones and peacocks. A dance called Pailin Peacock Dance is performed here highlighting the peacock’s activities.
• Kroeng Village: Kroeng people are the ethnic minorities living in the northeast of Cambodia, Rattanakiri province. They make their living by farming and hunting. They believe in Animism. “Fiancé Choosing Show” is performed in this village.
• Cambodian Immigrants to Oversea Village: The lifestyle of Cambodian people who live abroad. Features house and the church which shows the Christian religion.
• Khmer Village: Khmer are the main people of Cambodia. There are main models of houses of Khmer people. Wood and stone carving, clay pot making, palm sugar making, crafting, fishing and more are performed here especially Grand Khmer Family White Night show.
• Miniatures: Gathers all the miniatures of famous historical building and structures, former capital Ou Dong, Royal Palace, National Museum, Wat Phnom, Phsar Thmey, 12th century Kampong Kdey Bridge, 10th century reclining Buddha and more.
• Phnorng Village: One of the tribal groups living in the Northeast of Cambodia, Monduldiri Province. They make their living by farming and hunting. They believe in Animism. They are headed by Water & Fire Master who takes care of Preah Khan (Sword) which is granted by the ancient Khmer king. In this village “Water & Fire Master Choosing Show” is performed.
• Surin Village: Surin people are living along Cambodia and Thai border, next to Osmach District. Presently, they are in Thai territory but their Culture is not different from Khmer people living in the north of Siem Reap. They are good at organizing elephant matching they believe in Buddhism and some in Neak Ta Me Mut (witchcraft).
• Floating Village: Tonle Sap Lake is the big source of fishes which are the main food of Cambodian Peaople. The Villagers in this area make their living by fishing. They believe in Buddhism. Thei village where the “Fishing Show” is performed.
• Mini Theatre: It is building roofed by “Khunma” leaves. At the Min-theatre there are performance like classical dance, popular dance and circus etc…
• The unique, sprawling new cultural attraction in Siem Reap, intended to introduce the visitor to Cambodian culture and history. There are many types of houses in Khmer village such as house Peth, house Kantaing, house Raungdoeung, Sala Chan as a small pagoda… which are the main model houses of Khmer people. They make their living by farming, making palm sugar, rice storage, carving, weaving, crafting farm, making clay pot, fishing and popular games.
  

The Cambodian cultural villages has two museums that exhibit the well-know persons of Cambodia since the century until the present such as queen, king, general army, ambassador, monk, ethnic minority, movie star, Apsara dance and the way of how Angkor Wat temple was built by ancient Khmer, Khmer lifestyle during the Angkorian period and the breath-taking human figures with various paints. There are more than thirty wax statues that show about the development of Cambodian Cultural from the first century up to 20th century.
Cambodia has a long and rich tradition of classical dance, also know as Apsara dancing. Though some of the dance are shared with other cultures in the region. The slow graceful style of Cambodian dance is unique. There are many traditional performances you can see in the Cambodian cultural village in Siem Reap.