Cambodia
The Best of Cambodia (52)
a pick of some of the best photographs from the collections
Locations of Photographs in Angkor (linked)
view this map of Angkor in a separate tab
Short History of the Khmer Empire
The Khmer Empire was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia, based in what is now Cambodia and flourishing from the 9th to the 15th century. The empire, which grew out of former kingdom of Chenla, at times ruled over and/or vassalized parts of modern-day Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Malaysia.
The beginning of the era of the Khmer kingdom is conventionally dated to 802 AD. In this year, King Jayavarman II had himself declared him a Wheel-Turning Monarch (Chakravartin) and King of the Gods (Devaraja) on Mount Kulen, initiating the cult of the Divine Monarch which characterised the Empire.
Its greatest legacy is Angkor, the site of the capital city during the empire's zenith. Angkor bears testimony to the Khmer empire's immense power and wealth, as well as the variety of belief systems that it patronised over time. The empire's official religions included Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism, until Theravada Buddhism prevailed, even among the lower classes, after its introduction from Sri Lanka in the 13th century. Click here to toggle more of this story...
History of Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII (1125 - 1215) was a king of the Khmer Empire (c.1181-1215) in present day Siem Reap, Cambodia. He was the son of King Dharanindravarman II (r. 1150-1160) and Queen Sri Jayarajacudamani. He married Jayarajadevi and then, after her death, married her sister Indradevi. The two women are commonly thought to have been a great inspiration to him, particularly in his unusual devotion to Buddhism.
Jayavarman probably spent his early years away from the Khmer capital. He may have spent time among the Cham of modern-day Vietnam. The Cham shared with the Khmer the Hindu and Buddhist religions, as well as the use of Sanskrit as a formal language.
In 1177 and again in 1178, the Cham invaded Cambodia. In 1178, they launched a surprise attack on the Khmer capital by sailing a fleet up the Mekong River, across Lake Tonle Sap, and then up the Siem Reap River, a tributary of the Tonle Sap. The invaders pillaged the Khmer capital of Yasodharapura and put the king to death, as well as taking the Apsara dancers. Click here to toggle more of this story...
Hindu Sites
(10th-12th Century)
Angkor Wat (104)
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The peak of classical Khmer art and architecture
Banteay Srei (44)
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An exquisite and elaberately ornamented temple
Kbal Spean (21)
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Rock Carvings in Natural Surroundings
The Roulos Group (13)
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Two Temples from a pre-Angkorian Site
Banteay Samre (12)
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A small temple somewhat away from the main sites
Buddhist Sites
(12th-13th Century)
Bayon (60)
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The temple with the famous face towers and bas-reliefs
Leper King Terrace (20)
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Some great characters on a wall of bas-reliefs
Preah Khan (19)
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A temple maintained much in the state it was found
Ta Prohm (49)
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Famous temple having engulfing vegetation
Banteay Kdei (24)
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Remains of an ancient Buddhist University
The Bayon Wall Murals (10)
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Wall-Long Panoramas of the Main Murals from Bayon
Tonle Sap Lake (22)
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Photographs from the ‘Great Lake’ of South-East Asia
People at Angkor (20)
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Photographs of People around the Angkor Sites
Videos about Angkor
It should be noted that a couple of these documentaries have factual errors and questionable statements
but they provide a reasonable overview of the Khmer civilisation and the buildings at Angkor
the better one is The City of the God-Kings, but the others provide supplementary information
There is also a very good documentary about Banteay Srei posted on
the Banteay Srei page.
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National Geographic Atmosphere Video |
Lost Worlds |
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Discovery Channel and BBC |
Ancient Mysteries |

Row of Apsaras from a Door Lintel in Preah Khan
Acknowledgements
I am grateful once again to my good friend Leslie Shaw
who acted as my kappiya on the trip to Angkor
and who, as always, made many contributions to the success of this project