🛕 Bakong Temple – The Birthplace of Khmer Greatness

#summervacay Long before Angkor Wat stole the spotlight, Bakong Temple stood tall as the first majestic mountain temple of the Khmer Empire — built in the 9th century 🇰🇭✨ 🏛️ Towering sandstone tiers rise like a pyramid toward the sky, symbolizing Mount Meru, the sacred center of the universe in Hindu belief. 🗿 Surrounded by peaceful lotus ponds and crumbling guardian lions, every corner whispers stories of ancient kings, gods, and empires. 🌳 It’s quieter than its famous cousins — no crowds, just echoes of time and the wind brushing through the jungle. If you want to feel the soul of Cambodia’s temple legacy — start here. #bakongtemple #khmerempireorigins #ancientcambodia #hiddenheritage #templeoftime #siemreapbeyondangkor #sacredarchitecture #culturalroots #templeexploration #historicalwonde