Everywhere you look, the Angkor temples are teeming with symbolism. Thanks to the master artists who constructed and carved the temples, the vivid imagery is bound to captivate even those with little knowledge of its deeper meanings. Familiarizing yourself with the deities, mythological beings and basic concepts of Angkorian religion, however, can make exploring the …
In Part One, we covered the evolution of Angkorian architecture from the 9th century Roluos temples up to the refined gem of Banteay Srei. Here, we’ll cover the remainder of Khmer architectural styles, which includes masterpieces like Angkor Wat and the Bayon style temples of Jayavarman VII. If you’re looking for info on a particular …
Tracing the Architectural Evolution of Angkor: Part TwoRead More »
Few places on earth captivate the imagination quite like Angkor. As stunning as the Angkor temples are today, you can’t help but picture what things must’ve looked like 1000 years ago as you make your way through the jungle ruins. But eventually, after seeing temple after temple, with little context or background info, it can …
Tracing the Architectural Evolution of Angkor: Part OneRead More »
Traveling through Thailand, it’s easy to get the impression that just about every tourist attraction is some kind of temple. There are, after all, over 30,000 of them. But if you haven’t grown up in the culture, it can be difficult to tell exactly what you’re looking at when visiting a wat complex. Thai temples …
Nakhon Si Thammarat doesn’t appear on most people’s itineraries – even those doing extensive stays in South Thailand. But the more you learn about Thailand’s history, mentions of this ancient city will pop up time and time again. Going by names like Ligor and Tambralinga in old records, it long functioned as the premier trading …
A Guide to Nakhon Si Thammarat: South Thailand’s Historical CenterRead More »
For many visitors, Phitsanulok is little more than the place you need to pass through to get to Sukhothai. But by taking a little time to get to know this former royal outpost (and briefly capital), you’re bound to be pleasantly surprised. Within a single day, you can discover places like a folk museum, a …
A Day in Phitsanulok: Finding the Transport Hub’s Hidden TreasuresRead More »
The part of Thailand known as the North Central Plains has a lot to offer archaeology and history lovers. It is, after all, the home of Sukhothai, widely considered to be the birthplace of Siamese culture. But about 60km away, the ruling elite also built a sister satellite city. They even connected Sukhothai and Si …
Si Satchanalai: Ruins-Hopping in an Ancient Satellite CityRead More »
Sukhothai is one of Thailand’s most important historical and cultural sites, boasting some of the country’s most impressive ruins. The ancient temples span from the 12th to the 16th centuries and blend together a myriad of architectural styles. On top of that, Sukhothai is also the perfect getaway for scenic bike rides through the Thai countryside. In …
A Complete Guide to Sukhothai: The Birthplace of SiamRead More »
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kamphaeng Phet has just about everything you’re looking for when it comes to old ruins. Extravagant ancient temples, fascinating history and a picturesque setting. But one thing it lacks, to the pleasant surprise of those who visit, are other tourists. Learn why this former outpost town dubbed the “Diamond …
Looking up from the bridge, it appeared as if the sky was falling. Even in the remotest of deserts, I’d never seen a night sky so bright. These weren’t stars, however, but a special type of floating lantern called khom loi. Each year in November, thousands gather for Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng festival to watch a …
Experiencing the Magic of Chiang Mai’s Yi Peng FestivalRead More »