Angkor Wat was built for King Suryavarman II (ruled 1113-50) in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the Angkor site; it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation - first Hindu; dedicated to the god Vishnu; then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia; appearing on its national flag; and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.

Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple; based on early South Indian Hindu architecture. It is designed to represent Mount Meru; home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries; each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers.