ANGKOR WAT

ANGKOR WAT

ORIGIN AND STORY

Angkor Wat, located in Siem Reap Province within the Angkor Archaeological Park, is approximately 5 kilometers from the center of Siem Reap City. It is a sacred site, one of the world’s largest religious monuments, and a profound symbol of the greatness and cultural heritage of Khmer civilization. Angkor Wat was constructed in the 12th century during the reign of King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. Its original name was “Preah Barm Visnu Lok”, referring to the posthumous name of King Suryavarman II, the king who commissioned its construction.
The temple features five main towers, symbolizing the peaks of Mount Meru, the sacred cosmic mountain believed in Hindu tradition to be the abode of the gods. Angkor Wat faces west and is surrounded by a vast moat, symbolizing the cosmic ocean. The temple walls are adorned with magnificent bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, celestial Apsaras, and scenes of royal and everyday life in ancient Khmer society. These masterpieces reflect the remarkable artistic, architectural, spiritual, and intellectual achievements of the Khmer civilization.

where we are

the majestic angkor wat

Geographic Location Angkor Wat is majestically situated in the northwestern province of Siem Reap, Cambodia, nestled deep within the lush tropical expanse of the Angkor Archaeological Park. It rests just a few kilometers north of modern Siem Reap city, making it easily accessible while remaining enveloped by ancient forests and sacred waterways.

Surrounding Landscape & Setting The temple is framed by a massive, perfectly rectangular water moat measuring over five kilometers in circumference, which reflects its iconic lotus-bud towers against the sky. Built within the heart of the ancient Khmer Empire’s capital city, its location was meticulously chosen by ancient architects to align with sacred geography, cosmic axes, and the surrounding natural topography of the Siem Reap region.

ANGKOR WAT GALLERY