What's So Special About Angkor What (Cambodia)?

Angkor Wat is the main temple in what was an ancient city, the capital of the Khmer Empire, but lost to the outside world for almost 5 centuries.  

The ancient city and temple are both sometimes just referred to as Angkor.  The temple was built in the 1100s.  It was first used as a Hindu site and later for Buddhism.  The temple has become a symbol for Cambodia, even appearing on the flag. The temple represents the high point of Khmer architecture, and depicts many religious scenes from both Hinduism and Buddhism.

Said to be the largest religious structure in the world, the outer wall of Angkor Wat occupies approximately 1 square kilometre, and is surrounded by a deep moat.  

The temple is said to be designed for (and best seen at) sunrise.  On every level of the temple are features that only stand out in the early day.  For instance, some of the carvings, celestial nymphs called apsaras, jump out at you for only about 20 minutes right after dawn.