Temple · Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is a Theravada Buddhist temple complex, originally built as a Vaishnava Hindu temple, in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Built 1200.

Built 1200Architect Jayavaraman IICambodiaTemple
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat.

Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized for display.

Landmark facts

LocationSiem Reap, Cambodia
TypeTemple
Built1200
ArchitectJayavaraman II
ElevationElevation: 65 m
Coordinates13.4125° N, 103.8667° E

Every fact above is taken from the sources listed below; anything no source states is left blank rather than guessed.

What Angkor Wat is known for

Angkor Wat is a Theravada Buddhist temple complex, originally built as a Vaishnava Hindu temple, in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

About Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is a Theravada Buddhist temple complex, originally built as a Vaishnava Hindu temple, in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is the largest religious complex in the world. Located on a site measuring 162.6 hectares (1.6 km2; 401.8 acres) within the medieval capital of Angkor, it was constructed between 1113 and 1150 CE during the reign of the Khmer king Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu.

History

Angkor Wat was commissioned by the Khmer king Suryavarman II (ruled 1113–c. 1150) in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura (present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire. The construction of the temple commenced in 1122 CE and was completed in 1150 CE.

Best time to visit

November to February, the cool dry season; March to May is very hot.

How to get there

Nearest townSiem Reap
Nearest airportAngkor International Airport (REP)
Distance from the airport3.4 miles (straight line)

Nearest major airport by straight-line distance from the landmark’s coordinates; road distance will be longer.

Airports near this landmark

The airports a visitor would actually fly into, nearest first — each link opens its profile on our sister site AirportProfiles.

Landmarks nearby

The closest landmarks in this library, by straight-line distance.

Where to stay nearby

Places to stay near Angkor Wat, with a link to each place's own site.

Where to eat nearby

Places to eat near Angkor Wat, with a link to each place's own site.

More landmarks in Cambodia

More temples

Frequently asked questions

What is Angkor Wat?

Angkor Wat is a Theravada Buddhist temple complex, originally built as a Vaishnava Hindu temple, in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Where is Angkor Wat located?

Angkor Wat is in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Its coordinates are 13.4125° N, 103.8667° E.

How do I get to Angkor Wat?

The nearest town is Siem Reap, and the nearest airport is Angkor International Airport (REP), about 3.4 miles away (straight line).

When is the best time to visit Angkor Wat?

November to February, the cool dry season; March to May is very hot.

Sources

Page last updated 13 November 2026.