Angkor, Temple complex in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.

Angkor is a large temple complex in Siem Reap Province made of sandstone buildings from different periods that form a massive site together. The place has many towers, galleries, and courtyards that show how skillfully the ancient builders worked.

The first city here, Yashodharapura, was founded in 889, beginning over 500 years in which successive Khmer capitals were built in the area. Angkor Wat was raised between 1113 and 1145 under Suryavarman II. After taking power in 1177, Jayavarman VII founded a new capital at Angkor Thom and dedicated its temple, the Bayon, to Buddha.

The temples display hundreds of carved female figures and stone reliefs showing scenes from ancient Indian stories that both Hindus and Buddhists knew well. Visitors can see these details across the walls everywhere and understand how important these stories were to the people who prayed here.

The site is very large and takes several hours on foot to see the main temples. It makes sense to wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from sun and heat, especially if you spend the whole day there.

The individual stones for the temples came from a quarry about 40 kilometers away and were transported there using water channels. This method shows how well the ancient engineers used nature to move heavy materials.