The unmatched grandeur of Angkor Wat defines the ancient Khmer Empire's astonishing architectural vision. Built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II and dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, Angkor Wat is the world's largest religious monument and a symbol of Cambodia's national identity - as seen as the only building seen on a national flag. Wandering the stone halls and passageways, pondering the intricate details, and standing back for the big picture, it is an experience not justified by photos in any measure. It's not just it's size that amazes though, as its symmetrical layout and bas-reliefs depicting gods, wars, and heaven on earth the unique Angkorian culture. According to legend, its seemingly perfection prompted the first Europeans who witnessed it to speculate it was constructed by ancient Romans or Greeks, so foreign was its splendor to the medieval West.

Today, Angkor Wat remains a towering testament to the ambition and artistry of the Khmer civilization. As the sun's fading light illuminates its peaks each evening, one understands how Angkor Wat could have dazzled and overwhelmed foreign visitors centuries ago - its enduring magnificence humbles even modern onlookers. Take for instance sunrise every day of the year, where hundreds upon hundreds of early risers stand in unison to glimpse this temple at first light. Angkor Wat's legacy continues...