Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is unsurprisingly one of the most popular destination and the most beautiful historical sites in Cambodia.
Angkor Wat is Cambodia's largest and best-preserved temple complex, dating from the 12th century. The sand-colored buildings of Angkor Wat climb up to form five towers, depicting the Hindu deities' dwelling. Friezes and sculptures may be seen throughout the building, reflecting both everyday life and religious events from the time it was created.
While Yasovarman I, King of the Khmer Dynasty, is assumed to have established the Angkor complex around 980 AD, Angkor Wat is thought to date from the 12th century. Between 1113 and 1150, the Khmer ruler Suryavarman II constructed Angkor Wat. Suryavarman as Vishnu is shown in sculptures around Angkor Wat, and he dedicated it to the Hindu deity Vishnu. Mount Meru, the sacred abode of the Hindu gods, is also supposed to be represented by Angkor Wat. Suryavarman's tomb is also considered to have been located at Angkor Wat.
After being sacked in the late 12th century, Angkor Wat was changed from a Hindu to a Buddhist temple. After the 16th century, it was extensively neglected but never completely abandoned. Henri Mouhot, a French explorer,'rediscovered' the place in 1860 and popularized it in Western culture through his writings.
Despite the stormy politics of late twentieth-century Cambodia, Angkor Wat suffered little damage. Thai art thieves were the ones who inflicted the most havoc, chopping heads off as many structures as they could. Since 1992, Angkor Wat has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia
