Angkor, Cambodia

Angkor is an area in Southeast Asia - Cambodia, where some of the most beautiful temple complexes are located. There are about 1000 temples in the area,but the most magnificent and most famous among them Angkor Wat. Nearby is the town of Siem Reap. The central temple is the pride of the nation and can be seen on the national flag. The construction of Angkor began in 890 by the Khmer King Yasovarman I on an area of 195 sq. km. But the development of this civilization declined in the 13-14th centuries, when the complex was subjected to plunder, gradually abandoned and swallowed by the forest. It was discovered by French explorers in the late 19th century.
Angkor Wat was built as a state temple between 1113 and 1150 by Suryavarman II, who dedicated Angkar Wat to his ancestors and to the god Vishnu. The temple consists of five domed buildings forming pyramids on three levels. The towers represent the five pinnacles of the mythical abode of Hindu deities. The outer gallery is a descriptive bas-relief that spans 762m. Here are depicted scenes from the sacred text Mahabharata, paintings from the popular Hindu myth of the foaming of the sea of milk, scenes from Vishnu's victory over the demons and daily life under Suryavarman II. The temple complex is visited by 80 thousand to 200 thousand tourists every year.