The Angkor Wat temples were built over a span of four centuries, offering much beauty, complexity, and history.  Each temple was uniquely designed for a purpose, and today they are our teachers of history.  By studying the temples, we are able to discover more about each culture and their way of life over a thousand years ago.  The Angkor Wat temples are located on Siem Reap over 400 square kilometers with around 100 temples.

Jayavarman II is considered the man that started it all.  He established the Khmer empire in 802, and he defined himself as the “good king.”  It is unsure of which temples Jayavarman II had a part in building.  Jayavarman II is mainly known as the founder of the Khmer empire.  He established the capital 12 miles southeast of Siem Reap, the location of Angkor Wat.

Jayavarman’s successor built the barays, or man-made lakes, which are adjacent to the temples.  These ended up being a great success that allowed Khmer to sustain their harvest and expand their empire.

Indravarman I began the tradition of temple building during his twelve year rule from 877-889.  Following him was the thirty-seven year rule of Suryavarman II, who left one of the greatest impacts on the temples.  During his ruling the temple Angkor Wat was built.  Jayavarman VII ruled thirty years later and constructed the Angkor Thom, another great temple, which is also known as the Bayon.

Within Angkor Wat there are twenty-four major temples.  The typical temple has bas-reliefs, used as a place to rejoice after a war is won.  Also, a place known as Elephant Terrace was a place for the public to watch ceremonies and listen and dance to the Khmer music, or Phleng Khmer.  If you know anything about the Khmer culture, you will understand the significance of this tremendous place.

The temples continued being built until the fifteenth century, which then the tradition of temple building was lost.  The temples became lost in the depth of the Siem Reap jungle, and they were not discovered again for another four centuries.

Angkor Wat is now a wonderful place for tourists.  If you are adventurous, you can walk/hike your way around Angkor Wat.  If you are not, you can choose to be toured on mini bikes or rent a mini bike for yourself.  Other options would be a hot air balloon ride or a helicopter ride.  A pass for one day at Angkor Wat is twenty dollars, or you could choose to stay for a week and it only be sixty dollars.

There is so much to see within the temples of Angkor Wat, and it is nearly impossible to see it all in one visit.  The complexity and detail within each temple will simply amaze you, especially the major twenty four temples, and even more so in the Angkor Wat.  One could spend an entire week discovering everything in Angkor Wat alone.  Its beauty and complexity are amazing, while its uniqueness will impress you.

Angkor Wat is a magnificent site to see if you are ever in Cambodia, or if you are looking for a vacation spot.  Its beauty is simply breathtaking.  You will never see anything else close to the temples located at Angkor Wat.