Angkor Wat

I am a giant stone palace hiding in a warm, green jungle. A big moat, like a watery hug, wraps all around me. My five towers reach up to the sky like giant lotus flowers getting ready to bloom. I am made of stone, and I have many stories to tell. I love when the sun peeks through the leaves and says hello to me in the morning. I am Angkor Wat!

A very, very long time ago, around the year 1113, a kind and powerful king lived here. His name was King Suryavarman II. He had a big dream. He wanted to build a special home on Earth for a god named Vishnu. The king wanted me to be the most beautiful place in the whole world. So, many, many helpers came to build me. They worked for a very long time, stone by stone, like stacking giant blocks. They carved beautiful stories right into my walls. If you look closely, you can see pictures of dancing ladies, brave heroes, and friendly animals all over me.

After the king and his people left, the green jungle grew all around me. It wrapped me in its leafy arms and I became a sleepy giant, taking a long, long nap. The monkeys played on my towers and the birds sang me lullabies. For hundreds of years, I was a secret hiding place. Then, one day, explorers peeked through the leaves and found me again! They were so surprised. They carefully cleaned my walls so everyone could see my beautiful carvings once more.

Now, I am awake again, and I have so many friends! People from all over the world come to visit me in a country called Cambodia. They love to watch the sun rise behind my towers, making me glow like gold. I am so proud to be on my country's flag! It makes me feel very special. I love sharing my peaceful feeling and my stone stories with all my new friends, like you. I am here to remind you that even old stone buildings have wonderful stories to share.