Where is Angkor Wat?
Quick answer
Angkor Wat is in Cambodia, about 6 km north of the town of Siem Reap. Built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II of the Khmer Empire, it’s the largest religious monument in the world by area. It began as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu and later became Buddhist.
Key facts
- Country
- Cambodia
- Built
- Early 12th century (about 1113–1150)
- Built by
- King Suryavarman II, Khmer Empire
- Area
- About 162 hectares, including its moat
A temple built as a universe
Angkor Wat’s design represents Mount Meru, the home of the gods in Hindu cosmology:
| Feature | Symbolism |
|---|---|
| Five central towers | The five peaks of Mount Meru |
| Outer walls | The mountains at the edge of the world |
| Moat (about 190 m wide) | The cosmic ocean |
It faces west, unusual for a temple, which some scholars link to its role as a funerary temple for the king.
Famous carvings
Long galleries hold some of the world’s longest continuous bas-reliefs, including the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, a Hindu creation story, and scenes of battles and heaven and hell. The walls also show more than 1,700 apsaras, celestial dancers.
Part of a huge city
Angkor Wat is just one of hundreds of temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park, the remains of the Khmer capital, which may have been home to hundreds of thousands of people. Other highlights:
- Angkor Thom and the Bayon, with its giant smiling stone faces
- Ta Prohm, where tree roots wrap around the ruins, featured in the film Tomb Raider
A national symbol
Angkor Wat appears on Cambodia’s national flag, one of very few flags to show a building. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
Visiting tips
- Watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat’s towers reflected in the pools in front.
- Buy a 1-, 3- or 7-day Angkor Pass.
- Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
- Many visitors get around by tuk-tuk.
For another ancient wonder, see where Machu Picchu is.
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