Photo tour: The wonders of Angkor Wat

Cambodia’s Angkor Archaeological Park is one of the true wonders of the world, a bucket-list destination for anyone who loves ruins or ancient cultures. By most estimates, it is the largest religious monument on earth, spanning more than 150 square miles. Though often used to describe the entire complex, Angor Wat is just the largest (over 400 acres) and most famous of around 150 temples comprising the park, built over such a long span between the 9th and 13th centuries that they reflect both Hindu and Buddhist styles and iconography.

It is believed that roughly the same number of temples remain unexcavated underground. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is huge and takes at least two to three days to really explore, maybe more, with multiple entrances and sites around the gateway town of Siem Reap, which also has many other cultural attractions and activities, making it easy to spend a full week here. Siem Reap has grown recently, with a modern airport and fully developed tourism infrastructure including numerous hotels, restaurants and shops at every price point, as well as museums and guide services. See the slideshow above for a photo tour of one of the world’s most amazing sites.