Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Sept 15 that Cambodia’s famed religious and archaeological site Angkor Wat has been named the most photogenic Unesco World Heritage site in Asia by Times Travel.The prime minister announced this in a text posted on his official Telegram channel, with a list by Times Travel of the Times of India newspaper of the 10 most photogenic Unesco World Heritage Sites in Asia.
Other world heritage sites on the list included India’s mausoleum Taj Mahal; Hampi, the capital of the ancient Vijayanagara Empire; the Great Wall of China in Beijing; Myanmar’s ancient city of Bagan; Indonesia’s Buddhist temple Borobudur; Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay; the historic monuments of Kyoto, Japan; Jordan’s historic and archaeological site Petra; and the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras.These sites are known for their cultural significance and beauty, making them perfect subjects for photography.
Angkor Wat is Cambodia’s most visited tourist attraction. In the first eight months of 2024, it welcomed 651,857 international visitors, a 30.7% increase compared to the previous year. During this time, ticket sales generated $30.3 million, showing a 31% growth in revenue. This highlights Angkor Wat’s importance as a cultural and historical destination, making it a must-visit site in Southeast Asia.Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century and is the largest religious monument in the world. Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, it later became a Buddhist site. The temple complex spans over 162 hectares (around 400 acres) and includes more than 5,000 sculptures. Angkor Wat is one of the major temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park in north-west Siem Reap province. The 401 sq km park is home to 91 ancient temples, which were built from the ninth to the 13th centuries.