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Cambodia is a land that is rich in cultural heritage and
history, and it is a place that I would love to visit. Situated in Southeast
Asia, this country is surrounded by Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and the Gulf of
Thailand. Cambodia is well-known for its ancient temple city, Angkor Wat, which
is a masterpiece of architecture and a renowned tourist attraction.
Angkor Wat is a complex of galleries, chambers, and courtyards on different
levels that are linked by steep stairways. Standing on its high terrace, one can
picture the grandeur of the past when ancient court life was rich and lustrous.
The city of Angkor, meaning 'capital,' spans over 200 sq km and is dotted with
over fifty ancient ruins. In the fifteenth century, it was the administrative
center of the Khmer empire, and the kings built temples and monuments to honor
their gods and ancestors.
Apart from Angkor Wat, there are many other temples in Cambodia that are equally
enchanting. Most of them are surrounded by moats and have common features like
galleries, halls, terraces, bathing pools, and enclosure walls. Carvings have
been engraved on walls while statues of Hindu deities and Buddha stand guard in
halls and passageways. Reliefs, which are projections of sculptured forms,
carved in stone, are among the Khmers' greatest artistic achievements.
Another place of interest is Bayon, which sits at the center of a walled
compound called Angkor Thom. Unlike Angkor Wat, the Bayon temple is wild and
erratic in design, with 54 towers, each topped with four gigantic faces bearing
smiles. These faces are believed to be the faces of one of the kings of the
Khmer empire.
Cambodia is not just about temples and ruins; it also boasts other attractions
such as Bokor National Park. This national park is home to several endangered
species of tiger and elephant. Its high altitude allows visitors to experience
the stunning beauty of the Vietnamese and Cambodian coastline. Kompong Luong is
another attraction that is worth visiting. This floating village is popular for
its picturesque setup, with its colorful shops, restaurants, vegetable shops,
and petrol stations all floating on the Great Lake.
In conclusion, Cambodia is a country that is famed for its Khmer heritage,
temples, and culture. It is a strange mixture of old and new, beauty and ruins,
and I would love to explore it someday. |
