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Angkor (Angkor Temple Complex) Description: Angkor, the former capital of the ancient Khmer Empire, is one of the greatest and most spectacular Hindu religious sites in the world. Construction of this elaborate temple complex – built in honour of the god Vishnu – began in AD 879 during the reign of King Suryavarman II and was completed in 1191. It lay concealed for many years, however, until the site was discovered by Frenchman Henri Mahout in 1860. The central complex, Angkor Wat (Angkor Temple), features an elaborate, unmortared 66-metre (215-foot) central tower surrounded by four smaller towers. Stretching around the outside of the temple complex is an 800m-long (2625ft) bas-relief, the longest in the world, best known for the scene of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. This depicts a central event in Hindu mythology when gods and demons joined forces to recover the elixir of immortality from below the cosmic ocean. Contact Addresses: Ministry of Tourism, Boulevard Preah Monivong, Corner Rue 232, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: (023) 362 085 or 880 623 (Phnom Penh office) or (063) 380 069 (Siem Reap office). Fax: (023) 426 364 or 880 159 (Phnom Penh office) or (063) 380 070 (Siam Reap office). E-mail: tourism@camnet.com.kh Website: www.cambodia-web.net Transportation: Air: Siem Reap Airport. Road: Car: Route 6 (from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap). Taxi: Moto-taxi and tuk-tuk services are available (from Siem Reap). Opening Times: Daily dawn-dusk. Admission Fees: US$20 (one day), US$40 (three days), US$60 (one week). 
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