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Angkor Wat Cambodia spectacular

August 6, 2013 by David Herd

Angkor Wat Cambodia 7th wonder of the world.

Angkor Wat Cambodia

Angkor Wat Cambodia one of the 7 Wonders of the World was built in the first half of the 12th century, situated in Cambodia’s northern province of Siem Reap, it is one of the most important archaeological sites of Southeast Asia. It extends over approximately 400 square kilometres and consists of scores of temples, hydraulic structures (basins, dykes, reservoirs, canals) as well as communication routes. For several centuries Angkor, was the center of the Khmer Kingdom.

I was quite overwhelmed by this amazing ancient kingdom, to me it is far more impressive than Egypt’s Pyramids. I feel Cambodia is many things, friendly, spectacular and sad all at the one time. In Ankor Wat you are very close to the Khmer Rouge “Killing Fields” which surely must rate as one of the most atrocious barbaric periods in human history. I really don’t wish to write about the details of this crime against humanity, which disregarded human life and produced repression & massacres on a massive scale. If you want to find out more please let Google give you the answers.

Angkor Wat Cambodia

Stretching over some 400 square kilometres, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire of the 9th to the 15th centuries, including the largest pre-industrial city in the world. The most famous are the Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations.

Angkor Wat Cambodia, amazing ancient ruins

My lasting impressions are of the breathtaking ruins, beautiful children & Cambodia’s unbelievable history.

Beautiful faces in the ruins.

Sadly, poverty is everywhere in Angkor Wat Cambodia, and I can’t help wondering what % of the billions of dollars in aid ever gets to the people who really need it? Particularly when you see so many government officials driving around in luxury motor vehicles. Oh well, apart from that it is a fascinating country, hopefully at the end of this post I can provide you with a few travel tips for you to consider. One of the many lasting memories for me are the beautiful smiles on the faces of the children who have so little, when it comes to material possessions, yet so much true happiness in their hearts.

Another beautiful face among the ruins

The children always have a smile for you.

Below a “not so” beautiful face among the ruins.

Everywhere you turn there is a magical sight to see.

Looks like a giant claw

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Fascinating carvings

Angkor Wat Cambodia northern province of Siem Reap, is one of the most important archaeological sites of Southeast Asia. It extends over approximately 400 square kilometres and consists of scores of temples, hydraulic structures (basins, dykes, reservoirs, canals) as well as communication routes. For several centuries Angkor, was the centre of the Khmer Kingdom.

Magic scene at Angkor Wat

Located six kilometre north of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat Cambodia is one of the largest of Khmer monuments. Built around the first half of 12th century by King Suryavarman II, the temple’s balance, composition and beauty make it one of the finest monuments in the world.

Though ‘Wat’ is the Khmer (Cambodian) word for temple, the westward orientation of the structure is atypical of temples. Scholars believe that the architecture and sculptures are that of a temple where Lord Vishnu was worshipped but it was also built as a mausoleum for the king after his death.