Discover Angkor Wat

Historical Timeline

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  Early 12th Century (1113-1150 AD)

  Construction Begins

  King Suryavarman II ordered the construction of Angkor Wat as a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple was designed to represent Mount Meru, the home of the gods in Hindu mythology.

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  Late 12th Century

  Transition to Buddhism

  After King Jayavarman VII came to power, Angkor Wat gradually transformed from a Hindu temple to a Buddhist temple, with Buddhist imagery being added to the existing Hindu artwork.

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  15th Century

  Abandonment

  The Khmer Empire declined and the capital moved to Phnom Penh. Angkor Wat was largely abandoned, though it continued to function as a Buddhist temple on a smaller scale.

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  1860s

  Rediscovery

  French naturalist Henri Mouhot brought Angkor Wat to the attention of the Western world through his travel notes, though the temple was never truly "lost" to locals.

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  20th Century

  Restoration Efforts

  Major restoration work began under the École française d'Extrême-Orient. During the Khmer Rouge era (1975-1979), the temple suffered neglect and some damage.

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  1992

  UNESCO World Heritage Site

  Angkor Wat was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bringing international attention and resources for preservation and restoration.