The Angkor Empire

Angkor is a region in northwest Cambodia with arguably the greatest concentration of architectural riches anywhere on earth. Abandoned to the jungle for centuries, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire is abound with temples, tombs and other ancient ruins, making it truly one the most magnificent wonders of the world. With the epic proportions of the Great Wall of China, the detail and intricacies of the Taj Mahal and the symbolism and symmetry of the pyramids of Egypt, it is not surprising that Angkor and its archaeological monuments attracts millions of visitors each year.

Angkors wooden palaces and homes of its former residents decayed centuries ago, having been replaced by a dense green forest pronounced by towering banyan trees. But in what seems a defiant stand against natures efforts, a stunning array of over 20 major temples surrounded by hundreds of smaller stone structures still remain. The images of massive root systems from these huge trees growing in and around ancient doorways at Ta Prohm attest to the fact that the area lay virtually forgotten for three centuries until rediscovered by European explorers in the 19th century.

While the temples at this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site may be what the region is famous for, there are a range of other attractions well worth visiting. These include South East Asia's largest lake, Tonle Sap, which is home to intriguing floating villages and one of the worlds largest water bird habitats, making it popular with wildlife photographers. Good examples of rural Cambodian life, food and culture can also be enjoyed in the surrounding areas.