Guide Location: Northeast of the Srah Srang. Construction period: 10th century. Religion: Hinduism. Deity: Shiva. Introduction The original structure was built on an island in the center of the East Baray, which is now dry. It features a five-tiered pyramid (prang) with five towers. The four corners of the first and second terraces each have four elephant statues of the same size as…
Guide Location: 300 meters east of the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom. Construction period: late 10th to early 11th century. Religion: Hinduism. Deity: Shiva. Introduction: Ta Keo was originally built as a funerary temple for the king. As an unfinished structure, Ta Keo offers a glimpse into the construction techniques of Angkorian architecture…
Guide Location: East of Srah Srang, south of Eastern Mebon. Construction period: 10th century. Religion: Hinduism. Deity: Shiva. Introduction: A temple used for royal cremation ceremonies, also known as the Tower of Transformation. It is a classic temple-mountain structure with a brick tower built on a base. ■ Angkor Wat, Cambodia…
Siem Reap is the provincial capital of Siem Reap Province in Cambodia, located approximately 311 kilometers north of Phnom Penh and 152 kilometers from the Thai border. It is a uniquely charming tourist city in Cambodia. The Angkor Wat, listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is the most famous attraction in the area. It consists of palaces, temples, gardens, and castles, and is…
Cambodia can be described as a landmine-ridden country. During the war between the Khmer Rouge, supported by China, Vietnam, and the Soviet Union, and the Lon Nol government, backed by the United States, both sides planted numerous landmines across Cambodia. To this day, an estimated 6 million landmines remain buried underground, posing a constant threat. The Cambodia Landmine Museum is located...
Also known as Angkor Temple, it is referred to in ancient Chinese texts as the "Temple of Fragrant Meditation." Located in northwestern Cambodia, it is the best-preserved temple among the Angkor ruins. Commissioned in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II of the Khmer Empire, this grand stone temple complex was intended to serve as the capital and state temple of the empire. Therefore…
East Mebon Temple was built in 953 AD as a temple dedicated to King Rajendravarman II’s parents. It is located on a small island in the center of the artificial East Baray (East Reservoir). At that time, visitors had to take a boat to reach the temple. Research suggests that the stone steps outside the current entrance gate of East Mebon Temple were once the landing dock for accessing the temple. However, the reservoir has long since dried up, the East Baray has turned into farmland, and the former island has become a barely noticeable slight mound.
Thommanon Temple was built around the reign of King Suryavarman II and is one of the more renowned Hindu temples in Angkor. It was dedicated to the gods Shiva and Vishnu. The temple is located near the Victory Gate of Angkor...
Bakheng Temple (Phnom Bakheng) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva among the Angkor ruins in Cambodia. It was built on Phnom Bakheng hill by King Yasovarman I of the Khmer Empire in the 9th century after he established his capital in Angkor. Phnom Bakheng is a small hill located about 1.5 kilometers northwest of Angkor Wat. From the top of Phnom Bakheng, you can...
Guide Location: Central island of the West Baray, just outside the western gate of Angkor Thom, approximately 11 km northwest of Siem Reap. Construction Period: Second half of the 11th century. Religion: Hinduism. Deity Worshipped: Vishnu. West Mebon is located on a small island in the center of the West Baray, one of Angkor’s most important hydraulic engineering projects and the largest artificial reservoir in the world. The temple once housed a…
One of the most important structures in Angkor, it is the best-preserved and most famous red sandstone temple, earning the titles "Jewel of Angkorian Heritage" and "Diamond of Khmer Art." The Angkor region in Cambodia is home to thousands of ancient ruins, among which stands a strikingly crimson-hued temple known as the "Citadel of Women." Located to the west of Siem Reap Province...
Angkor Wat was the capital and state temple of the Khmer Empire, representing the pinnacle of classical Khmer architectural art. The stunning bas-relief carvings along its surrounding galleries are breathtaking. Also known as Angkor Wat, it is one of the Four Wonders of the East and the best-preserved temple among the Angkor ruins. It is world-renowned for its grand architecture and intricate carvings, marking the height of classical Khmer architectural art...
Introduction Magellan's Cross is located on the island of Mactan, east of Cebu Island. In 1521, the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan preached Catholicism in Cebu. On April 14 of that year, Father Pedro Valderama baptized the first Filipino Catholics — the native chieftain R…
Introduction Mactan Island is world-famous as the site where the navigator Ferdinand Magellan met his death. On April 27, 1521, having successfully preached in Cebu, Magellan confidently prepared to cross the Mactan Strait to Lapulapu to continue spreading Catholicism. But upon arrival, he was stopped by the chieftain of Lapulapu and his warriors...
Guide If your schedule allows, you should plan your “One-Day Tour of Bohol” for a Sunday, because every Sunday morning from 7:30 to 8:30, the world-renowned Loboc Children’s Choir performs at the Loboc Church. You don’t need to understand the lyrics to enjoy their singing—the pure sound alone is a delight. The choir members are children aged 7 to 12. Their concerts at the Cultural Center of the Philippines can cost up to 1,500 pesos per ticket, and they have also been invited to perform at the Shanghai Arts Festival in China.
Introduction Colon Street is the oldest street in Cebu City and even the entire Philippines, said to be named in honor of the navigator Christopher Columbus. Located in the Parian or Chinatown area, it is the heart of the city. By day, it serves as a bustling commercial center of Cebu, and by night, it transforms into a vibrant entertainment district...
Introduction Located by the Loboc River, this is a captive viewing site. These adorable little creatures are an absolute must-see — they are the inspiration behind the alien in the movie E.T. Although the reception center is small, with only seven or eight small trees, the tarsiers kept here are all on full open display and can be touched directly by hand. Each tree hides one or two...
Introduction The Basilica Minore del Santo Niño was built in 1565 and is home to the world-famous Santo Niño (Child Jesus) statue. It is said that after the native chieftain Rajah Humabon and his wife Queen Juana were baptized, Ferdinand Magellan presented a black-skinned Santo Niño statue to Queen…
Introduction Fort San Pedro is located next to the harbor and, along with Manila's Fort Santiago, is known as one of the oldest forts in the Philippines. It was built when the Spanish first arrived in the country. During World War II, the fort was used to defend against Japanese forces; during the American occupation, it served as barracks for officers; and today, it has been repurposed as classrooms for a school...
The Chocolate Hills are a famous marvel on Bohol Island, consisting of more than 1,200 cone-shaped hills. Their formation has a rather mythical origin. Legend has it that in ancient times, two giants threw stones at each other, and as the rocks landed one by one on the ground, they formed thousands of exquisitely shaped conical hills. During the dry season, the grass on the hills…