What makes Angkor special?
Angkor Wat is the most famous ancient temple site in Cambodia. With its 5 lotus-like towers rising 65 meters into the sky, it is an awe-inspiring sight. Located in Siem Reap, this UNESCO World Heritage site was once the largest pre-industrial city in the world.
What does the Angkor Wat represent?
Angkor Wat is a miniature replica of the universe in stone and represents an earthly model of the cosmic world. The central tower rises from the center of the monument symbolizing the mythical mountain, Meru, situated at the center of the universe. Its five towers correspond to the peaks of Meru.
What is the connection between Hinduism and Angkor Wat?
Iconic Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu temple of god Vishnu to see over the Khmer Empire that ruled during that time. Built by King Suryavarman II, it served as his state temple and eventual mausoleum and, breaking from the Shaiva tradition of his predecessors, he dedicated it to Vishnu.
Why is Angkor Wat a popular tourist attraction?
An Architectural Masterpiece
As the greatest of all mountain-temples, Angkor Wat is the prime example of classical Khmer architecture. It was designed for the immortal gods, so it was built of durable materials. Much has survived to this day. The earliest temples were built using brick.
What does Angkor Wat reveal about the Khmer Empire?
Angkor Wat shows that the Khmer Empire was a sophisticated, culturally advanced kingdom capable of extraordinary architectural feats.