Photos of the Ancient Temples of Angkor, Cambodia

Michael Zhang

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Photographer Alex Teuscher recently traveled to Cambodia for work, and while there, he took the opportunity to visit and photograph the ancient temples found in the Angkor region of the country.

Angkor once served as the capital city of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Its name means “Holy City,” and at its peak, it was a megacity that had 0.1% of the worlds population. These days, that would be the equivalent of a city with over 7 million people.

There are over 1,000 temples in the Angkor area, from small ruins to some of the largest temple structures in the world. These days, over 2 million people visit the ruins each year, and the area has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Here’s a selection of Teuscher’s photos:

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The sun rises over the 5 towers of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world.
The sun rises over the 5 towers of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world.
Endless corridors of Preah Khan, one of the largest complexes of Angkor
Endless corridors of Preah Khan, one of the largest complexes of Angkor
The well known Ta Prohm temple, made famous in the Tomb raider film.
The well known Ta Prohm temple, made famous in the Tomb raider film.
Incredible bas reliefs in the interior of Prasat Kravan temple
Incredible bas reliefs in the interior of Prasat Kravan temple

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Ta Prohm temple.
Ta Prohm temple.
One of the four pools of the gallery of a thousand buddhas, located within the temple grounds. The buddhas no longer remain, as most were removed and others stolen. Few traces remain.
One of the four pools of the gallery of a thousand buddhas, located within the temple grounds. The buddhas no longer remain, as most were removed and others stolen. Few traces remain.

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Incredible bas reliefs and wall carvings. near every surface in the temples was decorated.
Incredible bas reliefs and wall carvings. near every surface in the temples was decorated.

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The amazing carvings of Banteay Srei, the citadel of woman. Considered the most beautiful of all the temples and the carvings some of the most intricate to be found anywhere in the world.
The amazing carvings of Banteay Srei, the citadel of woman. Considered the most beautiful of all the temples and the carvings some of the most intricate to be found anywhere in the world.

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A pair of the over 3000 Apsaras (heavenly dancing girls from Hindu mythology) seen at the end of a long corridor.
A pair of the over 3000 Apsaras (heavenly dancing girls from Hindu mythology) seen at the end of a long corridor.
Bayon temple is known for its many smiling faces.
Bayon temple is known for its many smiling faces.

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You can find more of Teuscher’s photos from his Cambodia trip on Facebook here and here.

Last year, we also featured another set of Teuscher’s photos, a series of moody photos of New York City.

Image credits: Photographs by Alex Teuscher and used with permission

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