Overview
Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century under King Suryavarman II as a temple to Vishnu, later becoming a Buddhist site. Its five towers represent the peaks of Mount Meru, the centre of the Hindu-Buddhist universe, surrounded by a vast moat.
It is only one part of Angkor, the capital of the Khmer Empire, where hundreds of temples and a huge water-management system spread across the landscape.
What to see
- Angkor Wat at sunrise.
- The Bayon with its giant stone faces.
- Ta Prohm, embraced by tree roots.
- The bas-relief galleries — including the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.
Plan your visit
Getting there, best time & where to stay
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