Angkor Wat restoration/green material question
Replies: 42 - Last Post: Nov 18, 2012 8:49 PM Last Post By: vicama
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Angkor Wat restoration/green material question
Hey everyone,I'm just wondering here about Angkor Wat.
I am thinking of visiting this incredible destination in the near future (probably around Dec 2012 - Feb 2013) sometime around then. However, I've heard about and also seen pictures of on the internet of the current restoration work being done at Angkor Wat.
Theres this big green material/tarpaulin/scaffolding around the main Angkor Wat temple front view. I'm just wondering if anyone knows when this material will be taken away so that the main Angkor Wat temple will be in it's full, uninterrupted glory.
Since going here will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I want to go when there isn't a huge scaffolding work in front of the picturesque view.
Has anyone visited recently and did it affect or 'ruin' the experience? Does anyone know when the restoration will be over for the main temple??
Thankyou so much!!
1
I run past Angkor most mornings and you know what? I have no idea if the tarp is still there.....Anyway, there is much, much more to the Angkor Wat complex than just that one building, that should not stop you. Also, restauration has been going on for decades, I am not sure you want to wait another 20-50 years?
2
really? cool! What do you do? Are you a tour guide?Yeah, I know Angkor is much more than Angkor Wat, however I really want to enjoy the main, most famous viewpoint in it's full glory and especially get good photos.
I see this as a once in a life time trip and I would still feel that this huge material might 'ruin' the view. Like this photo for example:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/7919341540_87d6fd9bc7_b.jpg
3
I'm in Siem Reap right now for the 2nd time in a year and the green tarp is still there at Angkor Wat and it doesn't look like it is coming down anytime soon. I think you're just going to have to unfortunately deal with it, but perhaps you'll get lucky and they might take it down within the next couple of months, but that is wishful thinking...this is Cambodia after all and things move pretty slowly.In my opinion you will probably find the other main temples like Bayon and Ta Phrom alot more enjoyable, less crowded (depending on what time you go) and more atmospheric. Take the time out to head to Beng Mealea, this site see minimum tourist traffic in comparison to the main sites and you will not be disappointed.
Be sure to check out my travel website
http://crowthercollective.org
4
I have visited Angkor twice, once in 2006 and once in 2009. In 2009 they had temporarily sealed off the upper level of Angkor Wat. Though I was disappointed, this was actually a good thing: in 2006 the upper level was swamped with tourists touching and handling everything in sight, which is a big problem owing to all priceless 1000 year old sculptures up there. I believe they now have a wooden walkway on the third level that prevents people from having too much contact with the artifacts.As to whether tarps will be up, that's really dependent on the whims of the people doing the work. Irrespective, there are countless other temples to explore. Just go. You'll love it there.
Read a great book set in ancient Cambodia recent, God King of Angkor (link below). It was a fun read and really helped me imagine what Angkor would have been like in ancient times.
http://www.amazon.com/God-King-Angkor-Tyranny-ebook/dp/B008E1P7KA
5
The tarp will be up ... be sure of that. The place is under constant renovation - and that will end no time soon. Do not concern yourself with this ... it's minor. And yes, the tarp is up right now ... I was there today. The upper level is open right now as well ... I was last here in 2008 and it was closed - but the green tarps were up - just on a different portion. A lot of the different ruins are under repair - you'll see more than just the one tarp on Angkor Wat.If you wait until there is no renovations / restorations ... you will never visit.
6
Yeah I understand that the whole Angkor complex will be under restoration constantly and at different places, however since the 'main' Angkor Wat front view is the most famous view, I'm just wondering when the green tarp/scaffolding that is on this main Angkor Wat temple going to be taken down?I don't mind if it's along corridors or other smaller, minor temples, but mainly I'm just wondering about the main Angkor Wat temple.
8
So you're concerned about the classic front-on shot - woops there's more scaffolding on the left.Some alternatives, get a different angle which doesn't include the green tarp. Use trees to block the green tarp. Or get the behind view - doh! another green roof. Or just do the sunrise shot where the green thing isn't visible.
I've been several times since '99 and there was always somewhere around Angkor Wat under restoration. Maybe it doesn't answer your question, but at least know it's a reality for many (if not most) tourists looking for the idyllic Henri Mouhot image. Happy shooting.
9
interesting photos!Yeah regarding this one: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2510/4004629404_10fc001021_b.jpg
In my opinion, that one is much better than having a huge green material flapping in the wind literally centre on, on the main temple as seen
here: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/7919341540_87d6fd9bc7_b.jpg
here: http://www.unesco.org/new/typo3temp/pics/8858cec3f0.jpg
and here: http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_539/1284477931A9WORi.jpg
I know restoration work will be done any time I visit, however its just the main front of temple that I'm asking about for when it will be taken down or moved somewhere at least not so imposing.
I understand that restoration work is good and all that, but I'm just wondering just so to play whether to go now or later etc...
12
I think you're several years too late for the classic Angkor shot. There's a ton of people in the morning, perhaps the worst experience in my 12 days in Siem Reap. The tarps don't seem to be going anywhere soon. There's a host of other temples worth seeing early morning, the west entrance of Angkor Wat isn't one of them sorry.BTW, bring a wide angle lens if you can.
