Angkor Wat temple

The Attraction of Angkor

Angkor is the most attractive area for tourists from everywhere around the world. The area covers 10,800 hectares of Siem Reap province. It has a particular views. Nowadays, it is the most important protected landscape area of Cambodia; and it is the World Patrimony.

It was the settlement of central political power of a powerful ancient Khmer Empire in Southeast Asia from 9th to 13th century.

Many scholars agree that the city was so glorious and incomparable in its time. Every constructions of the City are designed in highest point of architecture. It had a high agro-technology; it had an intelligent water supply system and inhabitants could grow rice three times a year.

Surprisingly, if they compare Angkor City to other cities around the World in its time, Angkor City was the most populous city. There were over one million inhabitants who lived in this City, while others, especially in Europe, barely had about 10 thousands people living in each city. In this area, there are hundreds of impressive temples and other ancient constructions among a huge mysterious jungle.

Also it is a romantic place for every people. Millions of tourists believe that Angkor is best place to have a wonderful time. Millions of them come to visit Angkor every year. And when going back, most of them feel that they really have a wonderful and unforgettable moment in their lives.

Angkor Wat

Among hundreds of temples built in Angkor Area, Angkor Wat temple is the consequence of the highest architecture during Angkor period. The temple covers an area of 1,500 by 1,300 meters at the north of Siem Reap town about 7 kilometers. It was built in sandstone by King Suryavarman II (A.D. 1113 to 1150), one of the greatest warrior kings of Angkor Empire.

Since this temple was rediscovered since 1860s by a French scholar, numerous studies have been conduct on it. Many discoveries have been set up, however Angkor Wat still has so many things to study. All scholars who have come to study the temple agree that Angkor Wat was probably the biggest religious center in the world, and it is the most glorious and mysterious temple.

It was built as the funeral monument of the King, and to dedicate to God Vishnu of Brahmanism. The temple is also related to Indian concept of the Four Ages of the World.

Because of its particular building, nobody during late 19th century believed that Angkor Wat as well as other temples in Angkor City was built by ancient Khmer people. They thought that the city was built by any other powerful nation, but not Khmer. As a result they found no evidence indicating that the lose city was constructed by other powerful nation, but found that it was constructed by the flourishing ancient Khmer Empire for about 5 centuries.

Images of the twelfth century temple known today as Angkor Wat have appeared on every Cambodian flag since the country gained its independence from France in l953. Cambodia is the only nation in the world to depict a ruin on its flag and “Angkor” is a crucial component of Cambodia’s identity.

For Tourists, the best time to visit Angkor Wat is in the early morning and in the evening before the sun set. At that time, the view looks like paradise that you have never since before. Millions of tourists are happy to see the sunrise and the sunset at Angkor. During the sunrise, surrounding look like heaven while Angkor Wat, during the sunset, becomes a huge golden city.