Angkor Wat

Temple in Siem Reap

Angkor Wat, located near Siem Reap in Cambodia, is a vast temple complex built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II (reigned 1113–c. 1150) of the Khmer Empire. It is the largest religious structure in the world, spanning approximately 400 acres (160 hectares), and is a pinnacle of Khmer architecture. The complex consists of over a thousand buildings and is considered one of the greatest cultural wonders of the world.

Angkor Wat served as the central religious site of the Khmer Empire, which, at its height, was one of the most prosperous and advanced kingdoms in Southeast Asia. From the late 9th century to the early 13th century, a series of monumental construction projects were carried out, with Angkor Wat being the most notable. Built as a funerary temple for King Suryavarman II, it was intended to house his remains upon completion. Construction is believed to have taken about three decades.

Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, the temple’s religious motifs are all derived from Hinduism. Its five central towers represent the peaks of Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods in Hindu cosmology. The surrounding moat, which symbolizes the ocean surrounding the mountain, further evokes the mythical world. Visitors enter the temple through a 617-foot (188-meter) bridge and pass through three galleries, each separated by paved walkways. The temple walls are adorned with exquisite bas-reliefs depicting Hindu deities, Khmer history, and stories from the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics.

After the Cham people sacked Angkor in 1177, King Jayavarman VII (reigned 1181–c. 1220) shifted the capital to Angkor Thom and dedicated it to Buddhism, believing the Hindu gods had failed him. Subsequently, Angkor Wat transitioned into a Buddhist shrine, with many of its Hindu sculptures and carvings replaced by Buddhist imagery.

By the early 15th century, Angkor was abandoned. However, Theravada Buddhist monks continued to maintain Angkor Wat, which remained a significant pilgrimage destination and attracted European visitors. In 1863, French explorer Henri Mouhot “rediscovered” the site during the French colonial period.

In the 20th century, several restoration efforts were undertaken, but political unrest in the 1970s interrupted these projects. When work resumed in the 1980s, extensive repairs were necessary, including the dismantling and rebuilding of sections. In 1992, Angkor was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and in 2004 it was removed from the World Heritage in Danger list after significant restoration progress. Today, Angkor Wat is one of Southeast Asia’s most important pilgrimage sites and a major tourist attraction. It also features on the Cambodian flag.

The Angkor Wat appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Siem Reap!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!