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Temples of Angkor in CambodiaThe Angkor temple complex in Cambodia is one of those rare, much-hyped destinations that actually exceed expectations. Most of us have seen the photos: invading jungle trees, acres of collapsed stone blocks, the tranquil and knowing faces staring out from towers Photographs of Angkor are captivating, but the actual place is larger and more magnificent still. Between 802 and 1432 AD, a succession of Khmer kings funneled the enormous wealth of their kingdoms into a series of monumental building projects. Growing successively grander and more elaborate, the Buddhist and Hindu temples of Angkor stand as the apex of ancient Khmer architectural and cultural achievements. The great city of Angkor gradually fell into decline in the early 1400's after repeated attacks and encroachment by the Thais. The Western world first heard about the temples in the 1860's, when they were discovered by a Frenchman named Henri Mouhot. Cambodia's Identity & Pride Some of the Angkor temples have been restored and reconstructed, while others have been left largely untouched, giving visitors an idea of what early explorers saw. Visitors driving into the main Angkor complex are greeted first by the vast square moat that surrounds Angkor Wat. The temple towers peep out above the tree line. At the west entrance, a long stone road gleams past an imposing outer wall, across a sprawling courtyard, and right up to the main structure, where five honeycomb-shaped towers jut into the sky. The site is nothing short of magnificent. The inner galleries of Angkor Wat contain almost 13,000 square feet of bas-relief galleries that depict scenes from historic Khmer battles, sacred books, and Indian epics. The most famous gallery depicts a myth derived from the Hindu epic Bagavata-Pourana called the "churning of the ocean of milk", which tells the story of gods and demons who attempt to produce an elixir of immortality. Ta Prohm, the Jungle Temple The Bayon: Face to Face Plenty of Others to Explore "You Mean I'm Not the Only One?" Thankfully, Angkor is a giant, and I found peaceful corners in even the most popular locations. Magic in the Details Visiting Angkor was a peak experience. I'll never forget it. » view the Angkor
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