12 Quick Facts About Angkor Wat

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Angkor Wat is a spectacular ancient temple complex in Cambodia. Surrounded by a moat and occupying a site of over 400 acres, it's one of the most impressive temples in the world.
Discover 12 quick facts about Angkor Wat, its history, location, and more!

12 Quick Facts about Angkor Wat

1. Angkor Wat is one of the largest religious monuments in the world, occupying about 160 hectares (over 400 acres).
2. Angkor Wat was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II (reigning from 1113 AD to 1150 AD) at the beginning of the 12th century. Initially, Angkor Wat was built as a Hindu temple and was dedicated to the god Vishnu.
3. At the end of the 12th century, Angkor Wat was turned into a Buddhist temple.
4. The temple was built to represent the Mount Meru, a legendary five-peaked mountain in Hindu mythology.
5. Angkor Wat was built in the ancient city of Angkor that was the capital of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to 15th centuries.
6. The main materials used to construct Angkor Wat were sandstone and laterite (a clayey soil and rock material rich in iron and aluminum). Sandstone was used as the main material for visible parts of the temple. Laterite was mainly used for the hidden structures.
7. Angkor Wat is surrounded by a 200 meters (650 feet) wide moat, a deep and broad ditch filled with water.  The perimeter of the moat is about 5 km (3 miles).  The moat is 4 meters (13 feet) deep.
8. Angkor Wat is located about 5.5 km north of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
9. Angkor Wat is located 3 km south of the Bayon, the state temple of the King Jayavarman VII and the center of Angkor Thom,  an ancient walled city and the last capital of the Khmer empire.
10. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
11. Angkor Wat is famous for its tall towers shaped like lotus buds, cruciform terrace in front of the central structure, and steep staircases.
12. The temple is situated on a raised terrace, higher than the city.

Where is Angkor Wat located?

Angkor Wat is located about 5.5 km north of Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Angkor Wat is surrounded by a moat

• Angkor Wat is surrounded by a 200 meters (650 feet) wide moat, a deep and broad ditch filled with water.
• The perimeter of the moat is about 5 km (3 miles).
• The moat is 4 meters (13 feet) deep.

Angkor Wat Through Photos

Angkor Wat is one of the most iconic religious monuments in the world. It has become a symbol of Cambodia.  It is one of the most popular tourist sights in Cambodia.

Below are the photos of Angkor Wat: the towers, steep staircases, elaborate carvings, passageways, and more!