Review of
Angkor National Museum
- Get to know Khmer history and
history of Angkor Wat

Khmer History: Angkor National Museum
- photo courtesy of angkornationalmuseum.com

All information is subject to change
Last updated on April 15, 2012

Welcome to Angkor National Museum!

Angkor National Museum may not be on the average backpacker's to-do-list in Siem Reap, and it wasn't on mine. But after taking the tour at the museum, I thought why I haven't done this already! :-)

Why should you visit the Angkor National Museum?

• If you're interested in Khmer history, history of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom or Cambodian history and art in general, and want a deeper experience than just visiting the Angkor temples, this is the place for you How Khmer empire was established has always been a large mystery. Here, at the Angkor National Museum, you'll learn how it was created.

• Angkor National Museum is a cultural landmark in Siem Reap, presenting the Golden Era of Khmer history In order to preserve the artifacts, the museum has established the Conservation and Restoration workshop.

Restoration
Photo courtesy of angkornationalmuseum.com

• There are over 1300 pieces of artifacts at the National Museum - all beautifully laid out and making it unique in size and desig. 

Return to top

Galleries of Angkor National Museum
- Taking you through Khmer history

Admission: $ 12 per person

Angkor National museum is huge and it felt like we were in a palace. Just imagine how much money they invested in this place, and how much that tells about Siem Reap's full potential as a travel destination. The last time I was impressed by a museum was the Museum of Islamic arts in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

There are 8 galleries leading you through the Golden Era of Khmer history. Before entering the galleries of artifacts, there's a "Briefing Hall" where you can sit down and watch an introduction clip about the museum.

My favorite gallery was the "Exclusive Gallery" with over 1000 Buddha statues, lined up in different models, shapes, colors and materials. I also liked the galleries where they present the history of Angkor Wat (Gallery D), and the history of great Angkor Thom (Gallery E).

Questions that will be answered here are:

How was Angkor Wat constructed? Who is the inventor of Angkor Wat?

Another highlight of the tour was Gallery G, with beautiful sculptures of Apsara dancers, gods and goddesses. It's just amazing to think about how they've managed to restore artifacts that are two centuries years old!

Return to top

How much time do you need
at the Angkor National Museum?

We spent one hour there, but it was just not enough. I personally think that you should spend at least two hours at this museum. There are so much interesting artifacts and exhibits to see, and to make it worth your money, you should stay as long as possible.

Was it worth it?

$ 12 in admission is quite expensive for the average backpacker budget, but I personally thought it was worth the money; even we stayed there for only an hour. Coming there in the last minute and hence staying there in such a short time was our own fault :-S

Opening hours: May 1 - Sep 30: 08.30-18.00, Oct 1-April 30: 08.30-18-30.

Camera fee: $ 2

Return to top of Khmer history