How big were the world’s ancient cities? At its height, the world’s first city of Uruk may have had about 40,000 people about 5,000 years ago. In the medieval period, London may have had a population of about a quarter of a million people, growing to approximately 600,000 by the early 17th century.
One of the world’s largest ancient cities lay in the jungles of Southeast Asia in the greater Angkor region located in contemporary Cambodia. This medieval site was home to the Angkor or Khmer Empire from the ninth to 15th centuries. You might be familiar with the famous Angkorian temple, Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious monuments in the world.
Published
28 Apr 2021, 08:06 BST
Angkor, the former seat of Cambodia’s Khmer Empire, is a sprawling complex that has become one of Southeast Asia’s best-known landmarks. Exploring Ta Prohm one of the complex s many temples is like walking onto the Hollywood film set. Famously, the 2001 film
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, directed by Simon West, was filmed here.
Photograph by Mark Parren Taylor
One of the gateways to Ta Prohm. The temple, whose construction took place in the 12th and 13th centuries, is among the more distinctly evocative complexes of Angkor.
Photograph by Mark Parren Taylor
Deep in the forest and enclosed by a moat, the vast Angkor Thom complex surrounding Bayon Temple is a regal feast of architecture. The final capital of the Khmer Empire, the ‘Great City’ is accessed by four gates that align with the main points of the compass. Each portal is crowned with an ornate stone tower, carved into which is a giant, crumbling face. The faces at once ser
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Feature Writer
Published:
9:33 AM March 15, 2021
The stunning Angkor Wat. The temples of Angkor are Cambodia s number one attraction and it s not difficult to see why
- Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Home to one of the world s most magnificent sites, the temples of Angkor, Cambodia is a must for travellers, once holidays are allowed again. Make sure to properly prepare your trip, including applying for the right visa.
Busy streets full of cars and bikes. Food stalls where you can taste the local cuisine. Crowded markets where every market vendor wants to be louder than their neighbour. The country offers many opportunities to experience the local culture, but you need to know what you’re doing to get the most out of your trip. Here are eight tips to make sure your trip goes off without a hitch.