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Angkor Wat

Description: Angkor Wat, located in central Cambodia, is the largest temple complex in the world. The complex was built in the 12th ... more

Angkor Wat ... century under King Suryavarman II to celebrate the king as the incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. The complex is made entirely of stone, with corbeled roofs and relief friezes depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. / The complex of Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temples. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the gods in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 km (2.2 miles) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs and for the numerous devatas adorning its walls. Angkor Wat is the prime example of the classical style of Khmer architecture—the Angkor Wat style—to which it has given its name. By the 12th century, Khmer architects had become more skilled and confident in the use of sandstone (rather than brick or laterite) as the main building material. The Angkor Wat style was followed by that of the Bayon period, in which quality was often sacrificed to quantity. Other temples in the style are Banteay Samré, Thommanon, Chao Say Tevoda and the early temples of Preah Pithu at Angkor; outside Angkor, Beng Mealea and parts of Phanom Rung and Phimai.

Newest Review: ... fine and the hotel was really amazing, down a bumpy old dirt track - very insightful. Ankor Wat coast around $27 for the whole day and although it seemed at the time really pricey, in hindsight it was the most amazing sight of my life. These gigantic stone temples are wonders of the world with no question asked. They seem go have actual trees growing out of the stone but the tree are not ... more

... like any tree here they seem to be an entirely different breed of tree if that's possible. A damped grey color with these thick vein like characteristics running up as big as branches. I'm pretty sure that Indi Anna Jones was filmed here and rightly so, ...more

Read Reviews for Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat: wonder of the world! (311 words)
by - written on 02/10/09 (Useful, 5 readings)
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We booked a coach and a hotel from our hostel in Bangkok to Cambodia Siam Reap near Ankor Wat. It coast around £16 to take us there and for one night at the hotel. It seemed a little too good to be true as it takes an entire day to get there and includes the boarder crossing (Visa is around £30 and boarder). We got there all well and fine and the hotel was really amazing, down a bumpy old dirt track - very insightful. Ankor Wat coast around $27 for the whole day and although it seemed at the time really pricey, in hindsight it was the most amazing sight of my life. These gigantic stone temples are wonders of the world with no question asked. They ... Read the complete review

The wonders of Angkor Wat. (1996 words)
by - written on 26/08/09 (Very useful, 101 readings)
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Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a UNESCO world heritage site that is part of a massive complex of temples in the jungles of Cambodia, South East Asia just outside the town of Siem Reap. It is an outstanding example of Khmer architecture. There are over 1000 temples built over a very large area. It was built at the start of the 12th century the ruler of the time called Suryavaram II and consisted of palaces, temples, public buildings and wooden houses. I had read about Angkor Wat before going out to Cambodia and looked at loads of photos but nothing prepares you for the shear size and magnificence of the place. It actually reduced me to tears standing in ... Read the complete review

Angkor Wat: Angkor.........what?! (2227 words)
by - written on 17/05/09 (Very useful, 80 readings)
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I spent quite a bit of time in Cambodia, as part of my job, and I absolutely loved the country. My favourite part of Cambodia, by far, was Angkor. Cambodia has been tainted somewhat by relatively recent war and is still recovering from the effects of the Khmer Rouge, and its programme of mass execution. Like any country you go to, you do have to be careful, in the big cities especially. Cambodia is not a rich country, so you will stand out as a westerner if you go out with a big ol' watch on and flash the cash. And, like anywhere else, this will make you a target. As long as your sensible you will be fine, if you wouldn't do it in the UK then don't ... Read the complete review

Angkor Wat - A Sight To Behold, An Experience To Remember (1874 words)
by - written on 06/06/07 (Very useful, 124 readings)
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--------------- Introduction --------------- Angkor, Cambodia, is a World Heritage Site containing numerous beautiful temples that is situated a 20 minute drive from the Cambodian town of Siem Reap. Some people mistake the Angkor Wat to be the name of the entire site. Actually, the Angkor Wat is one of the temples enclosed within the Angkor site. It is, however, one of the biggest and most beautifully constructed temples among the ruins there. -------------------- The Angkor Wat -------------------- Pretty much the main drawing point of this South East Asian nation. It was built in the early 12th century as a king's state temple ... Read the complete review

Angkor Wat: The 8th wonder of the world.... (1793 words)
by - written on 22/11/05 (Very useful, 930 readings)
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My partner and I spent about three weeks in Cambodia during a trip overland from Bangkok to Bejing in early 2003. I was worried about going to Cambodia and I only went because my boyfriend really wanted to go.... I was scared of landmines and of a country so recently torn apart by communism, war and disruption...... How wrong was I...... Although you need to be cautious in some parts of Cambodia, particularly the Capital at night and as long as you arn't going to be stupid enough to stray from the main roads into open fields then you will be fine. The people of Cambodia are the most friendly nation I have ever had the pleasure to come ... Read the complete review