The World's Largest Temple - Angkor Wat in Cambodia (Part 1)

Angkor Wat, also known as the Small Angkor (Angkor Wat), is located in a rectangular area within the small circuit. Don't be fooled by the word 'small' in its name; on the contrary, Angkor Wat is the largest temple in the world, measuring 1,500 meters in length and 1,300 meters in width, covering an area of about 200 hectares. Angkor Wat is considered a symbol of Cambodia and is also one of the earliest examples of Khmer architecture, witnessing the glorious era of the Khmer Empire. The name 'Angkor Wat' translates to 'Capital Temple' in the Khmer language, indicating its significance. In 1992, Cambodia was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and in 2007, it defeated more than fifty other candidates in the global vote for the New Seven Wonders, advancing to the final twenty-one. Construction of Angkor Wat began in 1113 and took a full 37 years to complete, with the effort of the entire nation at that time. Whether in design, layout, intricacy, or scale, it can rival any of the world's most outstanding architectural works and is one of the must-visit attractions in Angkor. The outer perimeter of Angkor Wat features a 5.7-kilometer-long moat that surrounds the Small Angkor, symbolizing the ocean around the land; the rectangular inner city part of Angkor Wat measures 1,500 meters by 1,300 meters, symbolizing the Himalayas; the temple's central area has five main towers representing the five sacred mountains of Hinduism, with the central and tallest tower standing at 65 meters, symbolizing Mount Meru, the center of the world. The tips of the towers represent heaven, the dwelling place of the deities; the five main towers are situated on top of a three-tiered rectangular gallery, stacked layer upon layer like a pyramid, symbolizing the elements of earth, water, and wind at the location of Mount Meru. Inside the temple, there are nearly two thousand Apsara carvings and a large number of carvings depicting Hindu mythological stories, none of which are identical, all are masterpieces of extraordinary craftsmanship. To visit Angkor Wat, one must first cross the moat, which is filled with water from the Siem Reap River. In addition to serving a defensive purpose, the moat was also used for irrigation during the dry season and flood relief during the rainy season. While crossing the moat, take a moment to notice the carvings on both sides of the bridge, which tell the Hindu creation myth of the churning of the Ocean of Milk. After crossing the moat, visitors reach the largest central western gate of the Small Angkor, which has five gates divided according to different ranks, and the middle gate was only accessible to the king at that time. Now, all tourists can pass through this gate and experience the feeling of being a king. It is worth mentioning that among the nearly two thousand Apsara carvings within Angkor Wat, only one has a slight smile with visible teeth, located near the western gate; visitors can try to find it if they have the chance (I didn't manage to find it). Exiting the western gate leads to a straight central causeway leading to the temple of Angkor, nearly 500 meters long and nearly 10 meters wide, very imposing. On both sides, there are libraries, a common feature in many temples of Angkor. Directly in front of the libraries are two pools, which were once used for bathing before worship by the people, and now the pool on the left has become the famous Lotus Pond for watching the sunrise. The Lotus Pond is always popular because the water perfectly reflects the temple's silhouette, a common image on Cambodian postcards, especially before sunrise each day, when this spot becomes a coveted location for photographers and tourists alike. In the next part, we will continue to introduce the main hall of Angkor Wat - the first, second, and third galleries, and we will also share tips for watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Please stay tuned.