Angkors

Angkors refers to the group of ancient temple complexes built during the Khmer Empire in the Angkor region near Siem Reap, in present-day Cambodia. The complexes date from the 9th to the 15th centuries and represent the empire’s religious, political, and architectural center. The best known site is Angkor Wat, constructed in the early 12th century under King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu; it later became a Buddhist temple. Other major complexes include Angkor Thom, which houses the Bayon with its smiling faces; Ta Prohm, famous for its forest overgrowth; and Banteay Srei, noted for its ornate detailing. The Angkor complexes collectively form a vast archaeological landscape that illustrates the Khmer state’s urban planning, water management, and religious evolution.

Construction at Angkor employed sandstone and laterite, with extensive bas-reliefs depicting mythological, historic, and daily life scenes. The site is organized around temple mountains, barays (water reservoirs), causeways, and moats, reflecting sophisticated hydraulic engineering.

Angkor Archaeological Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The site is preserved and managed by the Cambodian APSARA Authority, with international partners in restoration and research. Ongoing preservation faces challenges from vegetation, climate, earthquakes, looting, and increasing tourism, prompting conservation and sustainable visitor management efforts. Angkor remains a major cultural landmark and a key focus for archaeology, history, and Southeast Asian studies.