Angkor Wat is an enormous Buddhist temple complex located in northern Cambodia. It is the largest religious monument in the world and a bucket list attraction for many adventurers.
Size
It's the world's largest religious structure, covering 400 acres and four times the size of Vatican City.
Location
It's located in the ancient Khmer capital city of Angkor, in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
History
It was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. It was later converted into a Buddhist temple and is still used for worship today.
Features
It includes a tall tower that represents Mount Meru, a sacred mountain in the Hindu story of heaven and hell. The temple is surrounded by a 3 km moat.
Significance
It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and the national symbol of Cambodia. It's featured on the national flag, and many businesses have the name “Angkor”.
Construction
It took about 30 years to build and involved moving over 5 million tons of sandstone, 1.5 million cubic meters of sand and silt, and over five million bricks.
Other temples
The Angkor complex includes other temples, such as the Bayon Temple, which is known for its many sculptures and decorations.