Bakong
4.5
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Built in the late 9th century by Indravarman I, this is the state temple dedicated to Shiva as Indreshvara.
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4.5
548 reviews
Excellent
298
Very good
212
Average
38
Poor
0
Terrible
0
David
Lille, France1,897 contributions
Aug 2022
Bakong was the last of the temples I visited during a three day trip to the Angkor Archaeological Park.
It's reported similarity to Borobadur is interesting as that's a site I visited a few years ago.
Not many visitors, and a nice climb to the top of the tiers to bring a hugely enjoyable trip to Angkor to an end.
It's reported similarity to Borobadur is interesting as that's a site I visited a few years ago.
Not many visitors, and a nice climb to the top of the tiers to bring a hugely enjoyable trip to Angkor to an end.
Written 10 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chuckymustdie
Australia642 contributions
Mar 2020
This is a large, impressive temple which I believe pre dates Angkor Wat by a couple of centuries and was the first of the big “monumental temples” in the general area. Unfortunately, we were here right at the end of the day. The sun had super-heated up the stones so it was HOT, and was directly behind the main tower, blinding the eyes and making a decent picture of it impossible. I won’t hold that against the temple though, just come in the morning and I’m sure your experience will be a lot more pleasant
Written 13 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maharaja G
Bengaluru, India8 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
It's amazing, the temple is 1200 years old and still stands as far as we can see. What a beautiful, well preserved and non touristy temple! It is a first mountain temple of Angkor and where a home of Shiva god. Don't miss to visit.
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wikumj
Redhill, UK402 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This is the largest and most interesting of the 'Roluos' group of temples (which isn' saying too much since the other temples are tiny). I would only venture here is you are staying in Angkor for 3 days or more. This temple is interesting as it is multi tiered and you can explore all tiers well, with good views from the top tier and interesting areas to explore at the bottom. Can do it in about 30-45 mins.
Written 3 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan Maarek
Tel Aviv, Israel16,005 contributions
Nov 2018
Don't do the same mistakes so many others do, thinking (as I did at first) that all the amazing sights are located in Angkor Wat.
I had read so many reviews before visiting Siam Reap, but still I wasn't prepared enough.
I had expected to find the incredible Faces trying to escape the walls or the surreal liquid trees (like Salvatore Dali's liquid watches) at Angkor Wat.
Not at all: they are located at Bayon Temple (Faces in the walls) and the liquid trees at Ta Prohm Temple (Tomb Raider 1st movie).
Actually Angkor Wat or Bayon or Ta Prohm Temples are only three of the thousands temples in Siam Reap area and you should/must visit them in an organized and carefully planned way to make the best of them and of your limited time here..
We were 5 days in Siam Reap and have visited many Temples.I have started to review them all here, and will of course attach many pictures as well.
Among the many pictures I have attached you'll find the 3 day tours circuit you'll be offered once there.
Of course the 1st day tour is the best, but I wouldn't skip in the world this temple, Bakong Temple, on the 3rd day.
It unfortunately requires 1 hour tuktuk drive (less by car but more expensive ...and less typical, meaning less dust eating and... AC).
That Temple belongs to the Roluos group, Bakong, it is also is my 3rd preferred Temple of them all (it looks like Richard Corben comics temples, if you have read them), and therefore I have preferred it over Ta Prohm, but hey, that's me and my ComiCon fantasies.
It is far enough yes, but then it assures you that you will be there almost alone!
Which in itself is an unforgettable experience..
By the way, if you need a recommendation for a reliable and cheap tuktuk driver, ours was top notch.
His name is Saren kat, you can contact him by Facebook or his Telephone (092770304).
Send him my best :)
Bottom line of the Top 3 or Top 5 Temples in Siam Reap area.
I had read so many reviews before visiting Siam Reap, but still I wasn't prepared enough.
I had expected to find the incredible Faces trying to escape the walls or the surreal liquid trees (like Salvatore Dali's liquid watches) at Angkor Wat.
Not at all: they are located at Bayon Temple (Faces in the walls) and the liquid trees at Ta Prohm Temple (Tomb Raider 1st movie).
Actually Angkor Wat or Bayon or Ta Prohm Temples are only three of the thousands temples in Siam Reap area and you should/must visit them in an organized and carefully planned way to make the best of them and of your limited time here..
We were 5 days in Siam Reap and have visited many Temples.I have started to review them all here, and will of course attach many pictures as well.
Among the many pictures I have attached you'll find the 3 day tours circuit you'll be offered once there.
Of course the 1st day tour is the best, but I wouldn't skip in the world this temple, Bakong Temple, on the 3rd day.
It unfortunately requires 1 hour tuktuk drive (less by car but more expensive ...and less typical, meaning less dust eating and... AC).
That Temple belongs to the Roluos group, Bakong, it is also is my 3rd preferred Temple of them all (it looks like Richard Corben comics temples, if you have read them), and therefore I have preferred it over Ta Prohm, but hey, that's me and my ComiCon fantasies.
It is far enough yes, but then it assures you that you will be there almost alone!
Which in itself is an unforgettable experience..
By the way, if you need a recommendation for a reliable and cheap tuktuk driver, ours was top notch.
His name is Saren kat, you can contact him by Facebook or his Telephone (092770304).
Send him my best :)
Bottom line of the Top 3 or Top 5 Temples in Siam Reap area.
Written 14 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
forestgraham
Chester, UK196 contributions
Mar 2016
Bakong temple was built towards the end of the 9th Century AD and shares structural similarities to earlier Javan Temples. An imposing building and in better restorative order than most, it has a central raised pyramid defended by Nagas and internal moats.
A less visited temple made for a more enjoyable visit and it's not to be overlooked.
A less visited temple made for a more enjoyable visit and it's not to be overlooked.
Written 8 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith Michael V
Manila, Manila, Philippines308 contributions
Nov 2012 • Solo
Wat Bakong is part of the Roluos Group some 13 kilometers away from the Siem Reap town center. If you want to reach Wat Bakong before the sunrise by tuktuk, you have to leave your hotel around 5:00 AM. It would take you about 30-40 minutes to get there from Siem Reap. It may be still dark if you get there, so be sure you have a flashlight or any light source with you so you can navigate across the causeway over the moat safely and to the top of Wat Bakong. Go up all the way to the main tower, sit there, and wait for the sun to rise. Chances are, you will be alone for the whole duration of your stay if you arrive to view the sunrise. So, enjoy it as it only happens seldom.
If you're satisfied with viewing the sunrise, don't leave just yet. Go west of the temple and take wonderful silhouette shots. The temple is just almost perfectly symmetrical and its silhouette is just amazingly unique. Even with its age, the temple is largely complete. As for the carvings and lintels, most of it is in bad state and some are just replicas of the original. However, the level of craftsmanship of the intact ones is still admirable as with other carvings and lintels at other Angkor sites.
Go to Wat Bakong if you don't like the hustle and bustle and the noise from the tourists experienced at the other temples. Best if you go to Wat Bakong early in the morning to view the sunrise. Couple it also with going around the Roluos Group. You are sure to have a maximum of a couple of tourists sharing the sites with you.
If you're satisfied with viewing the sunrise, don't leave just yet. Go west of the temple and take wonderful silhouette shots. The temple is just almost perfectly symmetrical and its silhouette is just amazingly unique. Even with its age, the temple is largely complete. As for the carvings and lintels, most of it is in bad state and some are just replicas of the original. However, the level of craftsmanship of the intact ones is still admirable as with other carvings and lintels at other Angkor sites.
Go to Wat Bakong if you don't like the hustle and bustle and the noise from the tourists experienced at the other temples. Best if you go to Wat Bakong early in the morning to view the sunrise. Couple it also with going around the Roluos Group. You are sure to have a maximum of a couple of tourists sharing the sites with you.
Written 15 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krishnan U
Bengaluru, India362 contributions
Oct 2019
Bakong is biggest of the Roluos temples that are around 15kms from Siem Reap. Built in AD 881 by King Indravarman I the temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Bakong is supposed to be the center of Hariharalaya that was the capital of Angkor Kings before it was shifted to the Angkor archeological area.
Temple has a tiered structure, but the climb is not that difficult.
Bakong is supposed to be the center of Hariharalaya that was the capital of Angkor Kings before it was shifted to the Angkor archeological area.
Temple has a tiered structure, but the climb is not that difficult.
Written 1 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CALPerth
PERTH169 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
Visited here after looking at the wonderful paintings in the current temple at the Lolei ruins..
This site was far less busy than the main sites..theTuk Tuk trip out is full on though..I loved it. So many interesting things you see ;-)) You get a real insight of busy daily life on the roads traveling this side of Siem Reap.
This site was far less busy than the main sites..theTuk Tuk trip out is full on though..I loved it. So many interesting things you see ;-)) You get a real insight of busy daily life on the roads traveling this side of Siem Reap.
Written 17 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alessandro c
Siem Reap, Cambodia1 contribution
Jan 2017 • Family
i live nearby bakong temple,the village is full of orphanages,ngos,churces..etc..as in any touristy place those activities are aimed at extract cash from the unwary...the tour guide or tuk tuk you are using will probably offer you to visit an ngo..orphanage...or sponsor a well,a house for the needy..a cow..for a very high price.avoid this by refusing to visit any of these places..orphanages pay families up to 25 dollars a month to rent kids...also avoid going to a restaurant sponsored by a guide..which will be pricey..and no good.the guide or tuk tuk driver takes commission by bringing u there.better to rent an electric bike to visit those temples and avoid these scammers altogheter.
Written 19 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can I use Bakong app for money transfer from my bank account to my wife's bank account?
Written 22 April 2022
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