A relatively new and modern-looking museum that opened in 2007, Angkor National Museum contains many priceless treasures that dates back as far as the 9th century.
Consisting of eight different galleries, each gallery showcases different sculptures and along with them, a different aspect of the Khmer empire. It is interesting to note that some of the artifacts were in fact discovered not far off from the museum, in and around Angkor Archaeological Park.
Visitors first enter a Briefing Hall, where they watch a video clip introducing them to the museum, explaining briefly the different galleries and what they represent. It is quite cool to know that the presentation is run in seven different languages, including, although most of them are oriented towards Asian visitors, with only English and French to exception to the norm (the rest of the languages include Khmer, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai).
Among some of the sculptures discovered were from great empires, including from King Jayavaram II’s time as King, who was known to have united the two kingdoms of Tchen-La. Other sculptures discovered were from King Soryavarman II’s time, perhaps more well-known for building Angkor Wat.
One of the galleries also focuses on Buddhism, on how it shaped Cambodia, all the way from the ancient civilization it was into the country it is today.
Angkor National Museum is certainly a worthy visit, where visitors can understand Cambodia a little better. Of course, it does help that visitors can enjoy seeing such sculptures in the comfort of an air-condition, a much welcome respite from the days visiting Angkor Archaeological Park!
Consisting of eight different galleries, each gallery showcases different sculptures and along with them, a different aspect of the Khmer empire. It is interesting to note that some of the artifacts were in fact discovered not far off from the museum, in and around Angkor Archaeological Park.
Visitors first enter a Briefing Hall, where they watch a video clip introducing them to the museum, explaining briefly the different galleries and what they represent. It is quite cool to know that the presentation is run in seven different languages, including, although most of them are oriented towards Asian visitors, with only English and French to exception to the norm (the rest of the languages include Khmer, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai).
Among some of the sculptures discovered were from great empires, including from King Jayavaram II’s time as King, who was known to have united the two kingdoms of Tchen-La. Other sculptures discovered were from King Soryavarman II’s time, perhaps more well-known for building Angkor Wat.
One of the galleries also focuses on Buddhism, on how it shaped Cambodia, all the way from the ancient civilization it was into the country it is today.
Angkor National Museum is certainly a worthy visit, where visitors can understand Cambodia a little better. Of course, it does help that visitors can enjoy seeing such sculptures in the comfort of an air-condition, a much welcome respite from the days visiting Angkor Archaeological Park!
INSIDER TIP:
Take note that Angkor National Museum enforces a strict no-photography rule in their galleries.
Hence, take note to respect such rules in the museum!
INSIDER TIP:
Take note that Angkor National Museum enforces a strict no-photography rule in their galleries.
Hence, take note to respect such rules in the museum!