20 Famous Movie Scene Locations That You Can Actually Visit

6/20

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – Cambodia

In Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, the seemingly abandoned stone temples with statues and walkways slowly being entombed by banyan roots looks like a movie set, but it is one of the most famous historical sites in all of South East Asia.

Cambodia’s Angkor Wat dates back to the 12th century, but after many centuries of neglect and disuse, it was not until the early 1990s that it took its place on the tourist track. The filming of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider helped propel the city of Siem Reap, where Angkor Wat is located, into the spotlight, making it a top backpacker destination.

• 

• 

Angkor Wat is a massive temple complex, with many different areas to explore. Guide books recommend spending at least two full days exploring this World Heritage Site, but if you only have one day, you can still see the exact spots where the filmmakers got such stunning scenery.

Most of the shots of Angelina Jolie were taken at Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple, with those iconic smiling faces carved into the rocks. Visitors staying in Siem Reap will find Cambodia to be a friendly place, and very affordable for backpackers.