Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Five kilometres north of the town of Siem Reap is the 160-hectare site of Angkor Wat, making it the largest religious monument in the world. Built initially as a Hindu temple, it was gradually re-styled as a Buddhist complex towards the end of the 12th century. As the focal point of the Khmer Empire the monuments were built in sandstone transported from a site 53 kms away. Restoration began in 1908 with much stonework being rescued from the surrounding jungle. A visitor’s pass is necessary for you to tour the site, with your focus likely to take in: sunrise at Angkor Wat; the bas reliefs inside the temple; the stone faces of the Bayon (possibly a likeness of King Jayavarman VII); and Ta Prohm with the roots of the Tetrameles trees overpowering the temples walls.
