Angkor Thom Temples Great Angkor or Great City

The Angkor Thom complex has an area that is much larger than the Angkor Wat complex. But unlike Angkor Wat, it houses several 'smaller' temples instead of just one.

This ancient city complex literally translates to "Great Angkor" or "Great City", and it certainly lives up to its name (Angkor = great, Thom = city).

It's a huge temple complex with 5 elaborate entrance gates (gopuras). On each side, there are 54 demon statues (on the left) and 54 god statues (on the right). The demons and gods are all pulling a serpent, so it's similar to the

The complex also has a moat surrounding its outer walls; it's 100 meters wide, and 12 km long. Here, the moats aren't as full as Angkor Wat. In some sections, only a small amount of water remains. In the dry season, you can sometimes see cows grazing, kids playing, or even residents farming. Right there on the moat.

There are people who actually live within the gates of Angkor Thom, and most of them are probably the descendants of the ancient Khmer people. There are also several Wats (Buddhist temples) inside, two of them are just across from the Bayon temple. These are active Wats, and you'll often see monks, people visiting the Wats, and maybe even some religious ceremonies.

Temples within the gates of Angkor Thom

The temples within Angkor Thom are probably some of the most interesting ones to visit. They're rather easy to visit also, because most of them are located in the center and built close to one another. It's amazing to see so many temples within a 'small' area, and most of them are a must-see too!

Bayon Bayon temple is located exactly at the center of Angkor Thom. It's right up with Angkor Wat in terms of must-see and popularity. It has a unique architecture of 214 smiling faces on the towers, and of course the bas relief carvings on its outer walls are also very interesting.	Bayon Temple with its 4-faced towers
Baphuon This three-tiered pyramid temple is currently undergoing restoration. However, it has been said many times that when this temple was in prime condition, it must've been one of the greatest temples of Angkor due to its sheer size.	Baphuon with the top almost gone
Phimeanakas Phimeanakas is a three-tiered pyramid temple within the Royal Palace enclosure. It is surrounded by walls five meters high, which are largely still intact and standing. There are pools right behind the temple, and the ancient royals originally used them for ritual washing.	Phimeanakas temple
The Elephant Terrace You guessed it, lots of stone elephants. They're either carved on the walls of the terrace, or as statues on both sides of the stairs. Make sure you get down from the actual Elephant Terrace to enjoy the many elephants carved on the walls.	Elephant carvings all around the temple
Terrace of the Leper King This is actually a misnamed terrace. The "King" is actually Yama the God of Destruction, and the leprosy isn't real. It's moss growing on the statues, causing discoloration on the stones. The Terrace of the Leper King is also the place for enjoying great bas-relief carvings.	Carvings at the Terrace of the Leper King
Prasat Suor Prat This "Temple of the Rope Dancers" with its 12 towers is very picturesque. With all of them lined neatly in a row, 6 on the left, and 6 on the right, one imagines that it would make a great picture. Sadly it's hard to get all of the Prasat Suor Prat in one shot.	Prasat Suor Prat tower
North Khleang and South Khleang The Khleangs are two similar buildings behind the Prasat Suor Prat towers. They could've been royal palaces, but they look too small to have been so. The North Khleang was built first, and the South followed later.	Inside the North Khleang
Preah Pithu The Preah Pithu group doesn't receive much attention, but this small cluster of temples is a delight! Five Buddhist and Hindu temples, and a terrace, all located very closely to one another. It sure does give a whole new meaning to the phrase Angkor Archeological Park.	5 temples hidden in the jungle
Preah Palilay A small temple, more like a shrine, with an unusual four-sided cone shape.	Preah Palilay shrine
Tep Pranam A cruciform Buddhist terrace, which was once the base of a pagoda.	Praying items at the base of the Buddha statue. Photo by Mike

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The Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia A Tour in Pictures

Most people go to Cambodia to see the Angkor Wat temple, and rightly so.
There are many beautiful pictures of Angkor out there, and for most of us it was one of those pictures that inspired us to visit Angkor Wat.

Pictures like this one.

The Stone Causeway Leading to the Angkor Wat Temple
in Evening Light. Allposters.com

Or this one.

The Temple of Angkor Wat at Sunrise.
Allposters.com

Or this one

.
Elevated View of Angkor Wat.
Allposters.com

But those pictures only show you how Angkor looks from the outside.

Have you seen the inside of the Angkor Wat temple? Have you seen the detailed bas-relief and decorations that adorn almost every wall? Or the steep staircase that has been made even more precarious by age? Have you seen how the world looks from Angkor Wat after you climb those deadly stairs?

If you haven't, I'd like to take you on a little visual 'tour.'

Ready?

The Entrance to Angkor Wat

First, you'll cross the moat to get into the temple complex. The moat will hold more water in the wet season than in the dry one. The excitement starts here, and you'll no doubt start taking pictures if you have your camera on at this point.

Moat from outside the Angkor Wat temple. Photo by Joel

As you enter the main causeway and start the long walk to the main temple, feast your eyes on the sight of the imposing structure. Historians have decided that Angkor Wat is both a temple and a mausoleum. Most visitors will not debate that much, because just enjoying the sight is enough.

Symmetry has been long prized as one of Angkor's great features. Walking the causeway is one of the best times to appreciate it.

The long causeway to the center of Angkor Wat.

The Famous Angkor Wat Reflecting Pools

You'll shortly see the reflecting pools where some of the most beautiful Angkor Wat pictures were taken. The pools make Angkor Wat even more interesting to photograph, because you then have the addition of natural symmetry.

Angkor Wat Temple reflected in the pools. Photo by K. Simourd

The pool is usually completely filled with water during the wet season, and you can take some great pictures. It is only partially filled during the dry season, so mirror images are harder to come by. For example:

Angkor pool in dry season: not full.

Passing the pools, you'll then step onto the Cruciform terrace. The crucifix shape isn't that obvious unless viewed from above. Below, on your left and right sides, you'll also see two 'smaller' buildings. These are the two libraries (symmetry again, you see?).

Angkor Wat cruciform terrace. Photo by S. Cornish

Inside the Gallery of 1,000 Buddhas (Preah Pean)

When you first enter the temple, you'll immediately see the Gallery of a Thousand Buddhas (Preah Pean).

One of the corner pools inside the Gallery of 1,000 Buddhas. Photo by A. Dinh

As the name suggests, this area used to have hundreds of Buddha images. Now only remnants remain as some were removed and others stolen. There are 4 'pools' within the cloister, but none of them are filled with water any longer.

Pillars in the gallery, full of inscriptions.

On the pillars, you'll see inscriptions of people's good deeds. Most of them are written in Khmer, but some are also written in Japanese or Burmese.

Standing within the cloister is a great experience. Your eyes will be busy taking in every detail - the size of the enclosure, the many Apsara dancer figures, the airiness and ancient feeling. Being under the roof where it's shady and cool, you can see how bright the Cambodian sun is shining.

The contrast made by the bright stones and sculptures under the direct sun, and the calm, still ones inside is indescribable.

Apsara dancers at the Angkor Wat temple. Photo by electrostatico

Shady on the inside, bright on the outside.

Another one of the corner pools in the gallery. Photo by K. L. Yeo

There's a large 'Buddha' statue opposite the gallery entrance, towards the end. The statue is actually Vishnu, the Hindu God, dressed as Buddha. Many people come to pray and give their offerings while visiting the Angkor Wat temple.

It reminds you once again what the temple is about. It was a religious structure then, and it is still one now, though maybe not on the scale it used to be.

People praying and placing offerings inside the Angkor Wat temple.

When you are done taking in the sights, it's time to move into the central courtyard where the main towers are.

Angkor Wat Central Towers

As you emerge from the hallway, you'll be greeted with the grand sight of the towers.

Standing on the 1st level, looking up at the towers on the 2nd level.

You are now standing on the second level of the temple (the Thousand Buddha Gallery is on the first). The third and final level is located in the middle of these second-level towers.

It is a great idea to spend some time on this level. Some people just sit at the ledge and take in the sights of the main towers. It is also a good place to rest after the long walk, especially if the sun is particularly hot that day.

When you are 'done' with the courtyard and ready to go up, be careful climbing the steep stairs to the third level. It was deliberately designed to be steep to illustrate how reaching the heavens is not an easy task.

Unbelievably steep stairs going down. Photo by C.Hong

There have been casualties before on these steps, so the Apsara authority placed some metal stairs with railings on the other side of the courtyard. Don't think less of yourself if you use these stairs, because safety really comes first.

Stairs with railings.

Top Level of Angkor Wat

After your climb up the stairs, you'll finally arrive at the top level. Here you'll be able to enjoy some really great views, because you're now 50 meters from the ground.

There are many spots to just sit and take in the moment of being at the top of Angkor Wat.

View from the top of the Angkor Wat temple - photo by electrostatico

Imagine that at one time people actually lived and worked here.

Views from the top of Angkor Wat. Photo by T. Hill.

With a view like this, you won't want to come down.

View of the trees from the top of the Angkor Wat Temple - Photo by E. Molina

But sooner or later you must. Later is better.

Going Down the Stairs

Another reason to linger longer at the top is that it's better to limit your exposure to these deadly steps. Going down is even scarier than going up.

Angkor Wat Temple's steep stairs - photo by N. Rickards

But if you think it's a cakewalk after your first try, then of course no one is going to stop you. Except maybe this sign that's posted several places throughout the temple.

Warning signs placed in several places.
Photo by Mike

Where to Go Next?

After coming down from the top (hopefully safely), you are by no means finished with the temple. Be prepared to be awed by the bas-relief on the outer walls. The details and the magnitude of it will overwhelm you to the point that you will remember very little of what you saw after the whole affair is complete.

Once you've marveled at the detailed carvings, you can take a walk on the grounds and venture into lesser known areas, areas such as the monastery, the south causeways, and the libraries.

Angkor Wat temple map

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Free Cambodia Pictures For Desktop Wallpapers

Somehow every traveler who's visited Angkor Wat comes back with gorgeous Cambodia pictures. Even those who were just taking casual pictures.

I've read somewhere that the entire country is photogenic and very easy to photograph. I must agree with that.

Here you'll find several free Cambodia pictures that you can use as your desktop wallpaper. So even if you can't be in Cambodia right now these images will take you there!

The easiest way to set any of these photos as your computer desktop background is to open the image by clicking on it. Once it opens in a new window, right click on the image and choose "Set As Desktop Background."

* Please note that the file size of each photo is rather large (300 kb - 400 kb). If you are using a dial-up connection it might take a bit longer for the picture to fully open.

These are some of my favorite Cambodia pictures. I hope you like them as much as I do. Enjoy!

Kampung Phluk's Mangrove This mangrove is only visible during the dry season when the water level is low. All of these trees are submerged underwater in the rainy season. A very soothing site, great for picnicking.

Click image to get wallpaper

Angkor Wat Stone Carvings Angkor Wat is adorned by countless detailed carvings. This is one of the most popular designs that you'll see in Angkor temples.

Click image to get wallpaper

Beng Melea Temple This is a picture of one of Beng Mealea's seen from the outside. crumbling hallways as Most hallways have windows, which also serve as decoration. This window design is very popular among Angkor temples. I cannot gush enough about this temple. It's amazing!

Click image to get wallpaper

Kampung Phluk This is an image of Kampung Phluk's stilted houses as seen from the boat. You'll feel the height more strongly when those houses tower high above you.

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Angkor Temple Ruins Angkor temples are a sight to be seen, and this one looks particularly ancient. You can't help but imagine how it was in its during it's former glory.

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Banteay Srei's Temple Details Banteay Srei is world famous for its intricate detailed carvings. This wallpaper gives you a greater look at the detail.

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Kbal Spean Waterfalls This sacred waterfall is a must-see for Angkor visitors. The hike up through the jungle allows you to step back in time and soak up the nature. The soothing waterfall awaits after the walk.

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Angkor Wat Apsara Nymph Carvings Four apsara nymphs side by side. The level of detail is just amazing. Look at the flowing skirt and the head ornaments!

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Angkor Wat Bas-Relief Carvings A close up of the King's army marching to battle. On the bas-relief gallery you'll see hundreds of meters of this kind of workmanship. It's enough send stone carvings lovers into a tizzy.

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Banteay Srei II Temple A lesser known and visited temple. This charming little temple is hidden by leaves and trees.

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Apsara Dance: Traditional Khmer Dance-Drama and Dance-Drama Performances

No visit to Cambodia is complete without attending at least one traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as 'Apsara Dance' after one of the most popular Classical dance pieces. Traditional Khmer dance is better described as 'dance-drama' in that the dances are not merely dance but are also meant to convey a story or message. There are four main modern genres of traditional Khmer dance: 1) Classical Dance, also known as Court or Palatine Dance (lakhon preah reach troap or lakhon luong); 2) Shadow theater (sbeik thom and sbeik toot); 3) Lakhon Khol (all-male masked dance-drama.); 4) Folk Dance (Ceremonial and Theatrical).

As evidenced in part by the innumerable apsaras (celestial dancers) that adorn the walls of Angkorian and pre-Angkorian temples, dance has been part of Khmer culture for well more than a millennium, though there have been ruptures in the tradition over the centuries, making it impossible to precisely trace the source of the tradition. Much of traditional dance (especially Classical) is inspired by Angkorian-era art and themes, but the tradition has not been passed unbroken from the age of Angkor. Most traditional dances seen today were developed in the 18th through 20th centuries, beginning in earnest with a mid-19th century revival championed by King Ang Duong (reigned 1841-1869). Subsequent Kings and other Khmer Royals also strongly supported the arts and dance, most particularly Queen Sisowath Kossamak Nearireach (retired King Norodom Sihanouk's mother) in the mid-20th century, who not only fostered a resurgence in the study and development of Khmer traditional dance, but also helped move it out of the Palace and popularize it. Queen Sisowath Kossamak trained her grand daughter Princess Bopha Devi in the art of traditional dance from early childhood, who went on to become the face of Khmer traditional dance in the 1950s and 60s both in Cambodia and around the world. Many traditional dances that are seen in performances today were developed and refined between the 1940s and 1960s under the guidance and patronage of Queen Sisowath Kossamak at the Conservatory of Performing Arts and the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh. Almost all of the Theatrical Folk dances that are presented in modern performances were developed during this period. Like so much of Cambodian art and culture, traditional dance was almost lost under the brutal repression of the Khmer Rouge regime of the late 1970s, only to be revived and reconstructed in the 1980s and 90s due, in large part, to the extraordinary efforts of Princess Bopha Devi.

Classical dance, including the famous 'Apsara dance,' has a grounded, subtle, even restrained, yet feather-light, ethereal appearance. Distinct in its ornate costuming, taut posture, arched back and feet, fingers flexed backwards, codified facial expressions, slow, close, deliberate but flowing movements, Classical dance is uniquely Khmer. It presents themes and stories inspired primarily by the Reamker (the Cambodian version of the Indian classic, the Ramayana) and the Age of Angkor.

Folk Dance come in two forms: ceremonial and theatrical. As a general rule, only Theatrical Folk Dance is presented in public performances, with Ceremonial Folk Dances reserved for particular rituals, celebrations and holidays. Theatrical Folk Dances such as the popular Good Harvest Dance and the romantic Fishing Dance are usually adaptations of dances found in the countryside or inspired by rural life and practices. Most of the Theatrical Folk Dances that are seen in performances today were developed at the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh in the 1960s as part of an effort to preserve and perpetuate Khmer culture and arts.

Shadow theatre comes in two forms: Sbeik Thom (big puppets that are actually panels depicting certain characters from the story) and Sbeik Toot (small articulated puppets). The black leather puppets are held in front of a light source, either in front or behind a screen, creating a shadow or silhouette effect. Sbeik Thom is the more uniquely Cambodian, more formal of the two types, restricting itself to stories from the Reamker. The performance is accompanied by a pin peat orchestra and narration, and the puppeteers are silent, moving the panels with dance-like movements. Sbeik Toot has a far lighter feel, presenting popular stories of heroes, adventures, love and battles, with or without orchestra and with the puppeteers often doing the narration.

Lakhon Khol is all male masked theatre presenting exclusively stories from the Reamker.

Most dance performances in Siem Reap offer a mixture of Classical and Theatrical Folk dances. A few venues offer Shadow Theater. Many of the dance performances in Siem Reap consist of 4-6 individual dances, often opening with an Apsara Dance, followed by two other Classical dances and two or three Theatrical Folk dances. The Apsara Dance is a Classical dance inspired by the apsara carvings and sculptures of Angkor and developed in the late 1940s by Queen Sisowath Kossamak. Her grand daughter and protégé, Princess Bopha Devi, was the first star of the Apsara Dance. The central character of the dance, the apsara Mera, leads her coterie of apsaras through a flower garden where they partake of the beauty of the garden. The movements of the dance are distinctly Classical yet, as the dance was developed for theatrical presentation, it is shorter and a bit more relaxed and flowing than most Classical dances, making it both an excellent example of the movements, manner and spirit of Classical dance and at the same time particularly accessible to a modern audience unaccustomed to the style and stories of Khmer dance-drama.

Another extremely popular dance included in most traditional dance performances in Siem Reap is the Theatrical Folk Dance known as the 'Fishing Dance.' The Fishing Dance is a playful, energetic folk dance with a strong, easy-to-follow story line. It was developed in the 1960s at the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh and was inspired by the developer's interpretation of certain rather idealized and stereotyped aspects aspects of rural life and young love. Clad in rural attire, a group of young men and women fish with rattan baskets and scoops, dividing their attention between work and flirtatious glances. Women are portrayed as hardworking, shy, demurring and coy, whereas the young men are strong, unrestrained, roguish and assertive. As the dance continues a couple is separated from the group allowing the flirtations between them to intensify, only to be spoiled by the male character playing a bit too rough, leading to her coy rejection. He pokes and plays trying to win her back, bringing only further rejection. Eventually he gently apologizes on bended knee and after some effort, draws a smile and her attention once again. Just as they move together, the group returns, startling the couple and evoking embarrassment as they both rush to their 'proper' roles once again. The men and women exit at opposite sides of the stage, leaving the couple almost alone, but under pressure of the groups, they separate, leaving in opposite directions, yet with index finger placed to mouth, hint of a secret promise to meet again. (In an interesting side note, placing one's index finger to the lips to denote quiet or secrecy is not, generally speaking, a gesture found in Cambodia, but is common in the West. Its employment in the dance probably indicates a certain amount of 'foreign influence' amongst the Cambodian choreographers when the dance was developed in the 1960s.)

Recommended reading:

Dance in Cambodia by Tony Samantha Phim and Ashley Thompson. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999

Dance of Life: The Mythology, History and Politics of Cambodian Culture by Julie B. Metha. Singapore: Graham Brash Pte. Singapore, 2001

Performance Venues in Siem Reap

There are occasional dance performances at the temples but most visitors attend one of the nightly dinner performances at a local restaurant. Dinner ordinarily begins at 6:00 or 7:00PM and dance performances at 7:30PM or 8:00PM, consisting of 4 or 5 dances, lasting about 45 minutes to an hour in all. (Contact the performance venue for specifics.) Many places offer a buffet featuring Khmer and international food. Some offer a set menu Khmer dinner. Price and venue style vary considerably. Most restaurants with buffets and set menus run between $10 and $25 including the buffet and performance. Some restaurants do not charge admission for the performance, but you are expected to order dinner. For the best seats, call for reservations, especially during the high season.

Apsara Theatre
Nightly traditional dance performances at one of the finest performance venues in town - an elegant wooden performance hall with a/c. Set menu Khmer meal. Two performances nightly. First: 6:30PM-7:40PM. Second: 8:30PM-10:00PM. Reservations recommended.

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Angkor Archaeological Park:

The Angkor Archaeological Park is home to the magnificent Khmer temple ruins of Angkor, including the legendary Angkor Wat, Bayon and dozens of other ancient ruins of the Angkorian-era (9th-13th century) Khmer Empire. The Park encompasses more than 400 square kilometers just outside Siem Reap City in northwestern Cambodia and is a World Heritage Site.

The temple ruins of Angkor contained within the Angkor Archaeological Park represent the remnants of the millennium-old Angkorian-era capitals of the ancient Khmer Empire. The Khmer people were and are the dominant ethnic group in Cambodia. The name ‘Angkor’ refers to the Angkorian-era Khmer Empire that stretched across much of mainland Southeast Asia between the 9th and 15th centuries A.D., and also refers to the capital city of the Empire that was centered north of Siem Reap Cambodia. The Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses the main temple ruins of the Angkorian capitals located in the Siem Reap area. Most of these temples were constructed between the 9th and 12th century A.D. and represent the pinnacle of ancient Khmer architecture, art and civilization. At its height, the Age of Angkor was a time wealth and power for the Khmer Empire. The capital city at Angkor was populated by more than a million people, Khmer kings constructed vast waterworks and grand temples and the Empire's military, economic and cultural dominance held sway over the area of modern Cambodia, as well as much of Thailand, southern Vietnam and Laos.

Siem Reap City is the gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park. There are no hotels within the Park grounds and most visitors stay in Siem Reap where almost all of the area's hotels and restaurants are located. Siem Reap City is just south of the Angkor Archaeological Park with the Park entrance located only 3km north of town. With the exception of the Roluos Group of temples 13km east of Siem Reap, the most important temple ruin are within 6-25km north of town, the closest major temple being Angkor Wat. To arrange your visit to the Angkor Archaeological Park you will need to decide how long to stay, purchase an admission pass, arrange transportation to the temples, obtain a guidebook or tour guide and plan out your temple itinerary.

Admission / How Long to Stay

You must possess an admission pass (an 'Angkor Pass') to visit the temples and sites in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Passes may be purchased at the main entrance on the road to Angkor Wat. One-day tickets only can be purchased at the secondary tollgate on airport road entrance near Angkor Wat and at Banteay Srey.

Passes are sold in one-day ($20), three-day ($40) and seven-day ($60) blocks. The three day pass is valid for one week, i.e. 3 days to be used within the week, not necessarily consecutively. The seven day pass is valid for one month, i.e. 7 days to be used within the month, not necessarily consecutively.

A one-day visit allows you to see the highlights of the most famous temples but very little more. Three days is sufficient to visit all of the major temples once, a few of the minor ones and have a little extra time at your favorites. Seven days is enough time to really explore some of your favorite ruins and visit many of the minor structures as well. One passport-sized photo is require at time of purchase of three and seven day passes. If you do not have a photo, free photos are provided at the main entrance, though this can be a time consuming process at peak entrance hours.

Visiting hours are 5:00AM - 6:00PM. Angkor Wat closes at 6:00PM, Banteay Srey closes at 5:00PM and Kbal Spean at 3:00PM. Always carry your ticket. It will be checked upon each park entry and at major temples. There is a significant fine for not possessing a valid ticket inside the park. A regular admission ticket is not required to visit Phnom Kulen, Koh Ker or Beng Melea, but there is a separate entrance fee of $20, $10 and $5, respectively.

Temple Itineraries

There are dozens of temple ruins in the Angkor Archaeological Park spread across more than 400 square km. all in different states of ruin and displaying a range of artistic and architectural styles. To get the most from your limited time at the Park you will need to plan a temple itinerary. Your personal temple itinerary depends largely on how much time you have and your level of interest, though some temples are ‘must sees.’ See the suggested itineraries page for much more.

What to Bring

Wear light, airy, covering clothing to protect yourself from the sun and mosquitoes. The sun can be intense so bring a hat, sunglasses and perhaps sunscreen. Consider buying a traditional Khmer scarf (krama) to keep the sun off your neck. Carry a raincoat during the wet season, though you will probably only need it in the afternoon. You should have mosquito repellent for sunrise and sunset hours. Wear practical shoes for climbing narrow steps and walking on uneven surfaces. For serious temple explorers, a flashlight, notebook and compass can come in handy. Books, refreshments, trinkets, postcards and film are available from small vendors throughout the temple complex.

Transportation to and around the Temples

The temples are too far apart to make foot travel practical (though some hearty visitors are hiking it anyway). Transportation options include: two-person motorcycle trailers (‘moto-romauk’) average $10-$13; car taxis $20-$25/day; motorcycle taxi (‘motodup’) for $6-$9/day; bicycles for $2-$3/day. Transportation to the temples is usually hired by the day. Prices go up for distant temples (e.g. Banteay Srey, Phnom Kulen, Kbal Spean, Koh Ker). Bicycling around the temples is becoming more popular. If you have the time to spare, the roads are good and the distances are about right for a bicycle. Your hotel or travel agent can arrange transportation.

Motorcycle Taxis and Trailers (Moto-romauks, 'tuk-tuks')
Two-person motorcycle trailers (moto-romauks) have surpassed motorcycle taxis (motodups) as the most popular form of transport. Tuk-tuks are covered offering some protection from sun and rain. In Siem Reap most drivers speak some English. For short trips around the town, foreigners are expected to pay 2000-4000R for motodups and about twice that for a motorcycle trailer. To the temples, transportation is usually rented by the day. Rates run $6-$9/day for a motodup, and about $10-$15/day for motorcycle trailers.

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