Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is the largest religious Hindu edifice in the world. This Vishnuite temple is the kings funerary temple which is the reason it is oriented to the west. Built during the early 12th century, it's inside walls are covered with carvings and bas-reliefs depicting mythology and all the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. It is the centerpiece of a huge area containing a number of other temples such as Ta Prohm which was made famous by the film Tomb Raider.

They are now having to make the choice between killing the trees whose roots entwine the buildings, and thus saving the temples, or losing the temples to the trees. Any restoration which has been done with great care is really amazing.