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Natalie Lennox
Introduction
The ruins of the ancient city of Angkor, capital of the Khmer kingdom from 802 until 1295 A.D., are one of the world's marvels. The "City of Kings," Angkor boasts some of the largest religious monuments ever constructed; it's a vast and mysterious complex of hulking laterite and sandstone blocks. Unknown to the world until French naturalist Henri Mouhot literally stumbled onto it in 1861, the area of Angkor existed for centuries only as a myth -- a wondrous city (or cities, to be exact), its exact location in the Cambodian jungle unknown. After Mahout in 1861, archaeologists flocked here, only to be foiled by years of conflict that left the temples in the hands of the Khmer Rouge. Many temples were damaged and pillaged. Tourists were the subsequent invaders, from the late 1990s. Today the sight is mobbed, but you can still find those quiet moments in communion with this amazing man-made wonder.
The temple complex covers some 97 sq. km (60 sq. miles) and carries the remains...
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Angkor Wat
The symbol of Cambodia, the five spires of the main temple of Angkor are known the world over. In fact, this is the most resplendent of the Angkor...
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Ta Kaeo
What's most interesting about Ta Kaeo is that it was never completed. Legend has it that the temple was struck by lightning during its construction,...
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Ta Prohm
The jungle foliage still has its hold on this dynamic temple, which was left in a ruinous state when early archaeologists freed the temples from...
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