A small village around 60 km from Nakhon Ratchasima, the modern town of Phimai can be found in the same location as the ancient one, and still today ruins of the outer walls can be seen here and there, as well as the temple of Prasat Hin Phimai in the town centre. Built around the eleventh and twelfth centuries, some years before Angkor Wat, Prasat Hin Phimai may even have served as a model for it, as demonstrated by numerous architectural similarities, such as the 28 m tall central tower. However, a few elements give Prasat Hin Phimai a different character, since this is in fact a Buddhist Mahayana temple, while Angkor Vat was realised in tribute to Hindu god Vishnu. The other distinctive feature of the temple at Phimai is that it faces to the south, towards the ancient road which leading to the heart of the Khmer empire.
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