Angkor Wat, an Iconic Archaeological Site in Southeast Asia

Hi! I’m Liliya and today I’d like to tell you about one of man-made wonders – Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat is one of the largest and most famous temple complexes in the world, located near the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia. The name Angkor Wat means “City of Temples” in Khmer. It is a symbol of this country – it is even depicted on the national flag. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and an important cultural and architectural heritage.

The temple was built in the first half of the 12th century by order of King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. At that time, Cambodia was part of the great Khmer empire, and Angkor Wat became the embodiment of the greatness of this civilization. Later, in the 14th-15th centuries, the temple was converted to Buddhist and retains this status to this day. Thanks to this, it became an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

Angkor Wat covers an area of more than 200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat and walls about 3.6 km long. Inside, the temple consists of three tiers, each of which rises higher than the previous one, symbolizing Mount Meru – the center of the Universe in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. The central tower, about 65 meters high, is visible from afar and is the highest point of the complex.

The bas-reliefs that decorate the walls of the temple are impressive in their craftsmanship. They depict scenes from the Hindu epics “Ramayana” and “Mahabharata”, as well as historical events and legends. These bas-reliefs are not only artistic masterpieces, but also a source of knowledge about the culture and beliefs of the Khmer civilization.

Angkor Wat is built of sandstone, which was brought from quarries over 50 km away. The builders used engineering solutions that amaze even today: the stone blocks were cut so precisely that they hold together perfectly without cement. Some parts of the temple are decorated with exquisite carvings, which demonstrate the high skill of Khmer sculptors.

Every year, millions of tourists come to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat with their own eyes. Visiting the temple allows you to feel the atmosphere of majestic antiquity, admire its grandiose architecture and enjoy the picturesque views. The best time to visit is in the morning, when the sun illuminates the facade of the temple, creating a magical play of light and shadow.

Interestingly, for local residents, Angkor Wat has not only historical significance, but also spiritual. Buddhist rituals are still performed in the temple, and it itself is considered a sacred place. In addition, Angkor Wat was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992, which emphasizes its uniqueness and importance for the whole world.

I want to visit Angkor Wat because it is one of the greatest architectural wonders of the world. The best time to visit is cooler dry season (from November to March). They say that sunrise and sunset at Angkor Wat are particularly popular experiences.