Angkor Wat in Cambodia

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia that is the world's largest religious monument, covering 162.6 hectares. Angkor Wat was dedicated to Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, breaking with Shaiva tradition of previous kings.

Angkor Wat is located 5.5 kilometres north of Siem Reap, as well as a short distance south and slightly east of the previous capital, which was centred at Baphuon. It is the southernmost of Angkor's main sites, located in an area of Cambodia with an important group of ancient structures.

According to legend, Indra ordered the construction of Angkor Wat to serve as a palace for his son Precha Ket Mealea. Some believed that the temple was built in a single night by a divine architect, according to 13th-century Chinese traveller Zhou Daguan.

What is Angkor Wat well-known for?

Despite being only one of hundreds of surviving temples and structures, the massive Angkor Wat is the most famous of all Cambodia's temples—it even appears on the country's flag—and for good reason. The "temple-mountain" was built in the 12th century as a spiritual home for the Hindu god Vishnu.

Angkor Wat is what kind of art is it?

Angkor Wat is now Cambodia's most famous religious art site, with its silhouette appearing on the Cambodian national flag. The temple is famous for its high classical style of Khmer architecture, as well as its massive relief sculpture and architectural carvings.

Angkor Wat has how many temples?

This area contains 72 major temples or other structures, with the remains of hundreds more minor temple sites scattered throughout the surrounding landscape.

Why was Angkor Wat built?

Suryavarman II commissioned its construction as a massive funerary temple to house his remains. Construction is thought to have taken three decades. Angkor Wat, Cambodia, near Simréab.

What is Angkor Wat and why was it built?

The massive Buddhist temple complex of Angkor Wat is located in northern Cambodia. In the first half of the 12th century, it was built as a Hindu temple. Angkor Wat is said to be the world's largest religious monument, spanning more than 400 acres.

Why is Angkor Wat significant in Cambodia?

Two religions coexisted at Angkor Wat.

It was originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, breaking with previous kings' Shaiva worship. It was gradually converted into a Buddhist temple by the end of the 12th century and is still used for worship today.