Ta Prohm is one of the most iconic temples in the ancient city of Angkor. The temple of Ta Prohm was built some time from the end of the 12th to the beginning of the 13th centuries. While most of the other main temples in the Angkor complex have been largely reconstructed, cleaned up, or restored, Ta Prohm has been left alone, and for good reason. It is the growth of giant trees in, around, and literally on the temple that make it
so popular amongst tourists.
At about 850 years old, it is the temple that actually predates the trees in Ta Prohm as they started to grow after the city was abandoned and after centuries of neglect.
I’ve read that the trees in Ta Prohm and Preah Khan are the main sources of conversation when people blog about Angkor, and I am not about to buck the trend. After all, no one comes to this temple and avoids the trees just because everyone else thinks it’s cool.
It an amazing atmosphere that is created because it is not something that can be replicated in artificial conditions. In recent years, the popularity of this temple has skyrocketed, especially after the movie Tomb Raider was filmed here.
Just like Angkor Wat, don’t be afraid to roam around. There are lots of awesome animals all over the ruins including lizards and some pretty gnarly mushrooms (not that kind). On the inside of the ruins, if you look carefully, you will find some pretty interesting carvings all over. Walking around the outside of the temple lets you appreciate how Ta Prohm is actually surrounded by a very dense jungle. Take your time here, and you will see why Ta Prohm is my favorite temple in the ancient Khmer city of Angkor.
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Hi Julio,
I would like to have some suggestions how to travel in a budget and what to see in and around Angkor Wat. Part of my trip is to take a bus from Thailand to Angkor Wat. Have you done that before? I only plan to have a 3 days trip travelling in Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon. Can you please just give me a general idea how safety if travel only one or two people? Which area close to the temples should i stay? How much for the entrace fees? Any suggestions that you can think of to help me a pleasant trip?
Hope to hear back from you.
Thank you very much!
Jan B.
Hello Jan,
I’d love to help!
First thing to know, Angkor’s complex is a set price:
$20 for 1 day
$40 for 3 days
$60 for 7 days
None of the days need to be consecutive. I believe the 3 day can be used within a week. There is no going around this price as it is paid directly at the gate.
I have done the bus from Thailand to Siem Reap. Siem Reap is the place where you want to stay as it is the city adjacent to Angkor. There are a ton of budget places. Wonder Angkor Hostel is run by Mr. Why Not, a very cool local guy who used to be a guide and saved enough to open up a cheap hostel. As cheap as 3.50 for a fan room dorm or 5.5 for air conditioned ($11 for air conditioned room for yourself).
If you have a little more money, the Golden Temple Villa is an amazing value and has an unreal 4.8/5.0 score on hotels.com. I stayed there my first time in Cambodia. They, however, usually book up quick.
Siem Reap itself has a ton of hotels and restaurants in the “tourist zone.” It gets 4m visitors a year, so you won’t be alone and it is incredibly safe. With that said, scams are probably the worst you will encounter, but not a huge issue. I suggest staying here, and exploring the outside of the tourist zone, as many people get turned off by the panhandlers within the zone. The outside is a beautiful country.
Another thing to know is that buses from Thailand can be scams. From Khao San Road, you can get one as cheap as $6. However, they try to scam you at the Poi Pet border with a guy posing as ‘immigration’ comes and charges up to $45 for a $20 Cambodian visa. Also, once in Cambodia, there are a ton of ‘problems getting a bus’ and other BS as they pass you over to someone else. It ends up taking about 8 hours for a 5 hr drive (Bangkok->Siem Reap, not exact numbers). Their purpose is to frustrate enough people who are willing to pay for a cab and pay $30-$40 from the Cambodian border to Siem Reap (per person). IMHO, it is best to take the safe way by a registered bus from the North Bus Terminal in Bangkok (not one of those van BS things). They cost about $22, but it is safe and secure. They drop you off at the border, you cross and pay your $20, and they pick you right up and keep going. I did this on the way back and it was worth it.
Now, Angkor is MASSIVE. It used to be a city of 1 million people, with dozens of temples. There is no way you can walk to it, and taking a bicycle is not advised. I would take a tuk tuk, and I know a guy who has great rates. He charges approximately $15-20 for his services (for both, not each). You can definitely set a rate ahead of time so you feel safe and I personally vouch for him. His name is Barang and has been my friend since I met him in 2010. I’ve referred many to him and have never heard anything but good things. He is best contacted by FB. Here is his page:
https://www.facebook.com/baranghang.barang?fref=ts
I also had an interview with him on this blog:
http://www.travelworldheritage.com/2013/12/19/barang-hang-link-siem-reap-pt-1/
and
http://www.travelworldheritage.com/2013/12/20/barang-hang-tuktuk-driver-siem-reap-2/
It has his set prices if you prefer that way. In general, I don’t think you can find a better deal in Siem Reap, but overall, the difference would be small (too much competition).
Furthermore, check out my posts on the other temples, and the main one on Angkor if you want to get some idea of what else to see:
http://www.travelworldheritage.com/2013/09/10/angkor/
Oh, and if you have time, and I hope you do, the best temple in the area is Beng Melea… about an hour away!
http://www.travelworldheritage.com/2015/02/12/beng-mealea/
Julio Moreno recently posted…International Driving Permits: What Are They and Do I Need One?
Hi Julio,
Wow! The advices you gave me are the best!!.. I really do appreciate your help. You always give the reader good and honest advices which will give us a chance to travel the world with awareness and in a budget.
Keeping up with the good blogs!
Jan B.
Hi Julio are there snakes here? Or in thecrest of Angkorctemples. I am scared of them especially the king cobra
I’ve never seen a snake before in the Angkor area. The area is jungle so it is possible, but snakes are shy so it is not probable because there are so many people.