have always wanted to visit the temple of Angkor Wat. Little did I know that aside from Angkor Wat, there are more than 24 other temples to photograph in the Siem Reap area. I arrived on a Cebu Pacific flight, now flying direct from Manila to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

For our four-day photographic journey, we bought three-day temple pass and spent the last day for shopping and enjoying the city. I was pleasantly surprised with Siem Reap. It has nice people, good food, affordable shopping.

We also found a good hotel thru Agoda.com at a 50% price promotion.

Here are 8 temples not to miss in Siem Reap

The largest, 200 hectares, 1,5 kkm x 1.3 km, is the grandest and most sublime of all the Khmer temples. It was built in early 12th century dedicated to Vishnu. It takes several hours to cover this temple.

On the first day we went to the east gate, at the back of the temple. It turned out to be a good move, we were able to cover the back of the temple with few tourists and by the time we each the front the temple was crowded with tourists. We came back the next morning before 6 am to see the temple at sunrise.

Is a temple monastery selected to be left in ‘natural state” and is known as the jungle temple, the movie set for “Lara Croft: The Tomb Raider.”

Bayon, one of the most enigmatic and powerful religious constructions, for Hindu and Buddhist worship with large face towers.

Banteay Srei, 20 km north of Angkor Wat, this small temple, called “citadel of beauty,” a jewel of Khmer art.

Preah Khan, a buddhist university and a large city.

Angkor Thom, one of the largest of Khmer cities, nine sq km in area, with face towers and causeways:

Baphuon, a massive five tiered pyramid, bordered the old royal palace.

A whole lot more for the adventurous.