Angkor Wat dominates the plain where the Khmer Empire-heir to the kingdom of Funan and Chenla- flourished from the ninth century A.D. Financed by the spoils of war, the temple was designed by the king's architect and built from a wax model by artisans, workers, and slaves who transported stones in 3,000 oxcarts, Angkor Wat was built between 1112-1153. Estimated time for construction of the temple is 30 years. The temple was dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. After 15th century, the site had become a Buddhist shrine.
From the walls of Angkor still smile ideal apsaras, sculpted in sandstone as permanent entertainment for the gods. There are about 1,700 apsaras at Angkor Wat alone.
