Angkor National Museum

Overview

The Angkor National Museum is a modern, air-conditioned museum in Siem Reap dedicated to preserving and interpreting the Khmer civilisation and the Angkor archaeological complex. Spread across eight galleries, it houses over 1,000 original artefacts including sandstone sculptures, bronze figures, and ceramics.

Highlights

• Gallery of a Thousand Buddhas: A striking hall filled with Buddhist statues from across the Angkorian period, spanning the 7th to 13th centuries.
• Angkor Wat Gallery: Detailed models and multimedia presentations explaining the temple's construction and iconography.
• Khmer Costume Gallery: Displays of textiles and jewellery showing how Angkorian royalty dressed.

History

The museum opened in 2007 as a Thai-Cambodian joint venture, designed to complement visits to the Angkor temples by providing historical context. Its collection draws from the Conservation d'Angkor, Cambodia's national archaeological repository in Siem Reap.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Visit on your first day in Siem Reap to gain context before exploring the temples.
• Tip 2: Audio guides are included in the ticket price and are available in multiple languages.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.