The Angkor National Museum is the only museum that features the great aspects of the lost Khmer Kingdom. The museum plays a useful role in telling the story of Angkor in such a hi-tech and unique way. Visiting the Museum is indeed a worthwhile experience, especially if travelers of Siem Reap want to have a deeper understanding of the Angkor context.
The museum is a profound cultural landmark and it takes up an area of around 20,000 square meters. This world-class museum reveals the legend of the Golden Era of the Khmer Kingdom. But what makes this museum especially unusual is that the museum is attached to a museum mall. The Museum Mall is a lifestyle landmark that provides facilities and recreational services for the entertainment of both the local community and tourists.
The Khmer Kingdom is known to be one of the ancient civilizations of the world and remains the origin of Khmer culture, art and architecture. The Khmer people’s spectacular inventions have become a few of the wonders of the world that continue to amaze people throughout generations. Today, such wonders still bring a great impact to societies that represent the Cambodian society.
The museum takes pride in presenting the royal historical path of the Khmer Kingdom with top-of-the-line multimedia technology. This then provides visitors a complete and unique picturesque story of the legendary kingdom in a way that is easily understood and at the same time entertaining. Guide maps are widely available as well as personal translation devices in Khmer, English, Chinese, German, Korean, Japanese, French and Thai languages. By use of interactive exhibits, visitors of the museum will be able to develop a deeper understanding of one of the highest points of a civilization with their customs, traditions and beliefs.
The exhibits include some illuminating accounts of the Khmer Empire, including some of its major kings and the magnificent and prominent Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. A gallery is also seen that is devoted to the costumes worn by the stone figures that adorn the temples. This is an especially engaging part of the museum as such elaborate details are given to the costumes.
Unfortunately, many critics claim that although the entire collection of the museum is visually pleasing, many of its pieces do not represent points of genuine Angkorian significance. A number of the Buddhas on display at the Gallery of 1000 Buddhas found in the museum are said to be made in the 20th Century.
Despite the criticism, the museum still plays a significant and educational role in the city of Siem Reap. The manner in which the items are presented is especially magnificent. It is also the only place in Cambodia where visitors can have an essential understanding of the history that created some of the most remarkable temples in the world.
An entrance fee of USD 15 is charged per head and is a relatively higher price compared to most tourist destinations in the city. Nevertheless, those who have a curiosity and deep interest about Angkor will definitely find the museum a worthwhile stop. The Angkor National Museum is no ordinary museum as visitors will get to experience an entire legend unfold right before their eyes.
The Lost Civilization at the Angkor Archaeological Park
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