Angkor National Museum

Before heading out to explore the temples of Angkor Archaeological Park, I strongly recommend visiting the Angkor National Museum first. It provides an excellent introduction and much-needed context to the history of the Angkor region, from the rise of the Khmer Empire to the cultural, religious, and political forces that shaped it. The museum does a great job explaining Hindu and Buddhist influences, the symbolism behind temple iconography, and the evolution of architectural styles used in temple construction over different periods. Exhibits are clearly curated and easy to follow, making complex history accessible without feeling overwhelming. Starting here allows you to ask more informed questions when you meet your guide and to approach the temples with a deeper understanding. You’ll see the sites through a more informed lens—one rooted in curiosity and appreciation rather than simple sightseeing. It’s an invaluable first stop that significantly enriches the entire Angkor experience.

Lovely staff and what a well kept nicely organised museum. It is a must watch to know about the culture of the place. The audio visual aids can be upgraded but still are very good resource to learn. I forgot my cap and the staff was kind enough to return it to me. Very good hospitality. The museum shop also has some nice stuff to buy. The cafe serves nice drinks and one must take a break to enjoy them. Very well kept WCs as well.

A must See, before you venture into temples of Angkor Wat. It will give you a deeper appreciation of the preservation of a great civilization. Reserve 3-4 hours if you want to have a proper pacing. My daugther who got the audio was much slower. No worries, muzeum also provide a short clip at each section.

Go here! So much history here. I wish this was advertised more. I also wish I went here first before my temple tours, so I could appreciate it more. Try to allocate maybe ~3-4 hours if you want to take it seriously. Or, don’t spend too much time in one area. It’s easy to get mesmerized, especially in the first room because there are so many different kinds of Buddha. Here’s a rough list of the main exhibits that I remember: -1,000 Buddha Images -Pre-Angkor Period: Khmer Civilization -Religion and Beliefs -The Great Khmer Kings -Angkor Wat -Angkor Thom -…I forgot the rest Enjoy your visit here.

Went with my family of six on tuesday morning. Entrance fee was US$12 per head for tourist. It is located in the city center very accessable. No wait. Bought ticket & go in. It has several level of exhibit. Nicely built and clean and tidy. A must before visiting Angkor Archaelogy Park the next day. Understand & appreciate the Khmer civilization since the 10th century. Religion, Belief, The Kings and the once powerful Khmer Kingdom. The evolution from Hinduism to Budhism. They have a cafe, a gift shop & clean comfy toilets too.

Very beautiful.. Many statues of Shiva, Vishnu, Vinayagar, etc. created by Tamil and Khmer kings are safe in the museum. You can take photos. No video is allowed. This museum is very useful for historians, Tamil research students. The fee is $12 per person.

Angkor National Museum is very informative and well organized, providing great background knowledge about Angkor and Khmer history. It’s a good place to visit before exploring the temples to better understand what you’re seeing.

This museum offers a pleasant (and much needed) break from seeing only ruined temples all day long in Angkor Archeological Park. We particularly enjoyed the Gallery of 1000 Buddhas, and the exhibition showing intricate lintles recovered from different temples. The museum includes English descriptions for all artifacts and information boards, and all videos are available in several languages including English. Some galleries were a bit short on artifacts and were filled more with lengthy text descriptions on the walls, which eventually becomes tiring to read. All in all, it's a worthwhile exprience.