Bakheng Hill is located just opposite the main Angkor Wat temple here in Siem Reap. Usually, this place is visited after everything else here, and most tourist come here to see the famous Angkor Wat Sunset.
In 2007, I saw elephants being used to ferry people at the entrance area. You are bound to see this as you head to the hill.
In 2007, I saw elephants being used to ferry people at the entrance area. You are bound to see this as you head to the hill.
These elephant rides were conducted by well-trained elephants and keeping the tourist very happy. Did I try it? Nope, I did not.
Bakheng Hill at Angkor Wat
According to Wikipedia, Phnom Bakheng at Angkor, Cambodia, is a Hindu and Buddhist temple in the form of a temple mountain dedicated to Shiva.
It was built at the end of the 9th century, during King Yasovarman (889-910). Located atop a hill, it is a popular tourist spot for sunset views of the much bigger temple Angkor Wat.
Bakheng Hill Sunset
To view the sunset at Bakheng Hill, you start with a good old trek for about 500-700 meters uphill, as seen in the picture above.
Again, take your time and go early instead of racing there at the last minute. There will be lots of potholes along the way up, so be careful and wear some good trekking shoes.
To view the sunset at Bakheng Hill, you start with a good old trek for about 500-700 meters uphill, as seen in the picture above.
Again, take your time and go early instead of racing there at the last minute. There will be lots of potholes along the way up, so be careful and wear some good trekking shoes.
Climbing Bakheng hill to view the sunset.
It is a reminder that this place is not a romantic place to bring your wife or girlfriend to view the sunset as there will be thousands of tourists cramming the viewing spot.
So, if you are not into sunsets, you should just give this place a miss. However, if you enjoy taking pictures, then it would be alright to venture up here.
But then again, if you see the sky being very hazy, just forget this trip. I've searched google for some Bakheng Hill Sunsets, and there are not many successful ones.
So, if you are not into sunsets, you should just give this place a miss. However, if you enjoy taking pictures, then it would be alright to venture up here.
But then again, if you see the sky being very hazy, just forget this trip. I've searched google for some Bakheng Hill Sunsets, and there are not many successful ones.
In our case, we made it all the way up to Bakheng Hill but only to be disappointed with the weather on that day. It was a very cloudy day while there was absolutely no sun in the sunset here.
So, it was just a trip up there watching sweaty foreign tourists, getting a good workout on the legs and not forgetting the extra loud mainland China tourist.
So, it was just a trip up there watching sweaty foreign tourists, getting a good workout on the legs and not forgetting the extra loud mainland China tourist.
Conclusion
Well, if you are adventurous enough, you should try this place in the mornings as it is much more peaceful and quiet. There is another temple here that is great for some photography of Angkor Wat.
I need to really make another trip back here again, even if it is for just 2-3 days. Last I heard from a friend who visited this place in July 2010, much has changed while prices have increased.
The tour buses have conquered the area with mainstream tourism while they laid metal staircases to climb up the Angkor Wat Temple. I only hope they did not do many changes here at Bakheng Hill at Angkor Wat, Cambodia.
The tour buses have conquered the area with mainstream tourism while they laid metal staircases to climb up the Angkor Wat Temple. I only hope they did not do many changes here at Bakheng Hill at Angkor Wat, Cambodia.