Cambodia

Angkor Wat remains the largest and most important temple at the Angkor site. Regarded as an architectural heritage, it is the main tourist destination in Cambodia. Its structure is renowned for the grandeur of its architecture and the beauty of Khmer architectural decoration. Due to its cultural, historical, and natural significance, the temple is celebrated as the eighth wonder of the world.

Geography

Angkor Wat is located 5.5 km north of Siem Reap and southeast of Angkor Thom. Situated near Tonlé Sap Lake, this site is the southernmost structure of the main Angkor sites.

History

The Angkor Wat temple was constructed around the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II to honor the deity Vishnu, which is why its construction faces west. Vishnu is one of the three principal gods in the Hindu pantheon, alongside Shiva and Brahma.

However, it was adapted to Buddhism in the late 14th century. Today, Buddhist monks still come on pilgrimage to the site.

Since 1992, Angkor Wat has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the most significant tourist destination in Cambodia, with over one million foreign tourists recorded in 2007 and more than two million in 2012.

Thanks to Norodom Sihanouk, Angkor Wat has benefited from a well-planned conservation program. Following his announcement, UNESCO declared the temple to be on the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger. This global organization launched an appeal in 2004 for international support for conservation. Since then, France, Japan, and China have responded and made significant contributions to this national project.

Discovering Angkor Wat

General overview

Covering an area of 1.9 km², the Angkor Wat temple includes two main structures: the mountain temple and the gallery temple. It was built to represent the house of the god Devas in Hindu mythology, known as Mount Meru. It is surrounded by an external wall 3.6 km in length, which encloses a 190-meter-wide moat and three rectangular galleries. Each gallery is built within the other.

The Mountain Temple

Facing west toward Vishnu, this site features towers arranged in a staggered pattern at its center. Its architecture is based on the mountain temple principle, which typically features a rectangular three-tier pyramid. Above the third level, the temple is dominated by a central tower, which is surrounded by five lotus towers that correspond exactly to the five peaks of the mountain. Like all other structures at the Angkor site, the towers on this temple are also designed in a pyramidal shape. Known as prasats, each lotus tower rises to over 65 meters in height.

The Gallery Temple

Angkor Wat contains three galleries connected by a corridor that extends along the length of the temple. Surrounding the third level of the temple, these structures are like the pillars of the apsaras. The first gallery, measuring 800 meters in length, features square pillars on the outer side and is closed on the inner side.

Architecture

Built with sandstone of various colors and laterite, Angkor Wat is the best-preserved temple at the Angkor archaeological site. It has maintained its original Khmer architecture. A symbol of Cambodia, this archetype of architectural style appears at the center of the national flag. It is also considered a reference in architecture, with the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh being one of the finest examples.

Cultural significance

Angkor Wat represents the two most well-known and important religions in Asia. The temple was originally designed as an important Hindu religious center dedicated to Vishnu. Afterward, it was consecrated to Buddhism. This is why, on every corner of its structures, one finds numerous religious bas-reliefs marking these two religions. Over 1,200 square meters of sculpted bas-reliefs recount the value and history of Hindu culture.

The temple’s enclosure walls are richly decorated on both the inside and outside with Hindu sculptures. Through these walls and the gallery walls, the temple displays over 2,000 sculptures of apsaras, devatas, and rishis in the art of the Angkorian era. The lintels and pediments also feature sculptures of Vishnu and Krishna.

Above the third level, the central tower and galleries are key pieces for Buddhist culture in the ancient city of Angkor. They testify to the time when the temple was transformed into a Buddhist institution. The central sanctuary thus houses four images of Buddha placed at the four cardinal points. Each gallery also houses Buddha statues. In the south gallery, you can visit the gallery of the thousand Buddhas. During pilgrimages, Khmer Buddhists used to leave small Buddha statues there. Due to the civil war, most of these statues have been destroyed.

In addition to the Hindu and Buddhist sculptures, Angkor Wat also reveals several carvings and bas-reliefs showcasing characters from Hindu mythology. The outer walls of the lower level depict the Indian epic and the history of the wars led by King Suryavarman II. On the western wall, you can also admire the bas-relief of the royal army fighting the Chams. On the southern section, the walls display a scene of heaven and hell.

How to get there

Located a few kilometers north of Siem Reap city, Angkor Wat is accessible via Charles de Gaulle Road, a main road that runs through the north of the city center. It is easiest and most pleasant to take a tuk-tuk or rent a bicycle along this road.

Hours

To visit the Angkor Wat site, you must obtain an Angkor pass, which is valid for all the temples within the site.