Exploring the Temples of Cambodia
Chronicling the six hundred year rule of the Khmer Empire, the Angkor temples are among the world’s premier travel destinations. Their mysterious charm draws more than one million people a year to Cambodia’s northern temple region and the nearby city of Siem Reap.
Walking through the temple grounds, visitors are humbled by the awesome achievements of a centuries-old people and awestruck by their architectural devotion to Hindu and Buddhist concepts.
Angkor Wat
At the zenith of king Suryavarman II’s dominion over Southeast Asia, he ordered the design and construction of Angkor Wat. This massive temple ensemble, originally devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu, covers more than 500 acres of land. Vishnu remained the temple’s patron deity until the 14th or 15th Century when Cambodia’s people consecrated Angkor Wat to Theravada Buddhism.
Angkor Wat was once a thriving metropolis, complete with irrigation systems and military posts. Today, it stands as the finest example of Khmer architecture in the world. Unlike the other monuments of Cambodia’s temple region, Angkor Wat is a viable religious edifice to this day.
Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom, or “Great City”, was built under the reign of Khmer king Jayavarman VII. Angkor Thom was erected around an array of existing structures, the most famous of which is Bayon. Bayon is an ensemble of 37 stone towers decorated with massive sculptured faces. The stone faces of Bayon are among Cambodia’s most recognizable images. They are a must-see for anyone visiting the Angkor temples.
There are five gates into the city, complementing each of the cardinal points recognized by the Khmer people. Four stone faces, like the faces of Bayon, overlook each of the city gates. Inside the walls of Angkor Thom you will see a fascinating marriage of architectural styles, a result of Jayavarman VII’s implementation of preexisting monuments into the construction of his magnificent city.
Baksei Chamkrong
Baksei Chamkrong, meaning “the bird who shelters under its wings”, is one of Angkor Thom’s most prominent monuments. King Hashavarman I initiated temple construction in the early 10th Century, and the Baksei Chamkrong was finalized by his successor, Rajendravarman II.
This 12-meter tall step-pyramid is made out of sandstone and laterite, a reddish rocky material. The monument was built to honor the Hindu Lord Shiva and once housed a golden statue of the deity. Today, the monument stands as one of the best-preserved structures in all of Angkor Thom. The temple’s red rock is especially enchanting in the light of the early morning hours.
Ta Prohm
Angkor temples have been the focus of ongoing restoration since 1908… except for Ta Prohm. This peculiar monument has been left alone, unprotected from the eroding fingers of the forest. Fig and silk-cotton trees straddle Ta Prohm’s roofs and pry apart its stone building blocks. The trees are home to innumerable species of parrots whose squawks remind travelers that the forest is the temples’ true keeper.
Ta Prohm’s bewildering appearance has been the focus of innumerable postcards and travel journals, making it one of Cambodia’s most popular temple destinations.
Banteay Samre
This temple was erected midway through the 12th century by king Suryavarman II. It contains some of the Angkor period’s most detailed ornamentation and dashing architecture. The monument also boasts a four-sided exterior wall similar to that of Angkor Wat. Banteay Samre is known for its in-depth iconography that reflects the Hindu and Buddhist imprint on Khmer society.
Banteay Srei
Erected in the 10th century AD, Banteay Samre is the product of joint construction efforts on behalf of king Rayendravarman and king Jayavarman V. Located forty minutes from Siem Reap, Banteay Samre is a well-preserved example of Angkor Wat-style design and craftsmanship. Unlike most of Angkorian temples, which are guarded by carved lions, Banteay Samre is protected by a beautiful array of stone monkeys and Garaudas, or Solar Eagles. The temple’s pinkish sandstone looks particular radiant in the light of the early morning hours and the late evenings.
Temple Name: Preah Pithu Notable Features: Obscure pyramid-style ruins in advanced disrepair. Getting There: Preah Pithu is located on the right side of the road, just east of the Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of the Elephants in Angkor Thom. Five Obscure Temples in the Jungle Preah Pithu is a group of [...]
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Temple Name: Preah Palilay Notable Features: Chimney-shaped tower. Getting There: Take the pathway behind Tep Pranam northwest for 150 meters. Preah Palilay is located inside Angkor Thom. The Chimney of the Khmer Preah Palilay is a Buddhist monument built sometime in the 12th century. According to Khmer lore, the name Preah Palilay is an adaptation [...]
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Notable Features: More than 2000 richly ornamented Apsara carvings. Gorgeous sunrise over the northern reflection pond. Getting There: Angkor Wat, Cambodia is located about 5.5 km north of Siem Reap. It is impossible to miss, for it is the largest monument in Angkor. Any tuk tuk driver or tour guide will know how to get [...]
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Temple Name: West Mebon Notable Features: Built on a man-made island. Unique Animal Carvings. Getting There: Take Route #6 (Airport Road) west from Siem Reap. Turn right approximately 3 km past the airport turnoff. To reach the ruins, you will need to take a boat from the south dike of the West Baray (the largest [...]
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Temple Name: West Baray Notable Features: The largest man-made lake of the ancient Khmer civilization. Getting There: Located just west of Angkor Thom. The Largest Man-Made Lake of the Ancient Khmer Civilization A “baray” is a water reservoir built by the ancient Khmer people. The West Baray is the largest example of such a reservoir, [...]
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Thommanon is a small, gorgeous representation of Angkor architecture. In the 1960’s, the temple was the focus of a meticulous restoration project. As a result, some extremely fine examples of Khmer artwork, hieroglyphs, and architecture can be viewed at Thommanon.
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Temple Name: Terrace of the Leper King Notable Features: Wonderfully ornate bas-relief sculptures. Getting There: Located just north of the Terrace of the Elephants. A Great Khmer Mystery The Terrace of the Leper King is a massive mound of laterite (clay) that is held in place by a series of ornately carved sandstone walls. This [...]
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Temple Name: Terrace of the Elephants Notable Features: Over 300 meters long. Covered in stunning bas-relief sculptures of elephants, horses, lions, dancers, and warriors. Getting There: The Terrace of the Elephants is one of the most popular sites in Angkor Thom. Any tuk tuk driver will know how to take you there. Walking With the [...]
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Temple Name: Ta Keo Notable Features: One of the first temples to be built out of sandstone. It was abandoned uncompleted, resulting in a unique and eerie appearance. Getting There: Ta Keo is located east of the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom. An Unfinished Masterpiece Ta Keo is an incomplete temple that boasts a moat, [...]
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Temple Name: Ta Som Notable Features: Well-preserved bas-reliefs. A Ficus tree grows from the roof of the eastern gopura (gate). Getting There: Ta Som is accessed from the eastern Mebon. It is located on the right, after the 13 km marker stone. A Charming Pile of Stones Ta Som is a small Bayon-style temple on [...]
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Temple Name: Ta Prohm Notable Features: Fig and silk-cotton trees grow through the temple stone. Getting There: Ta Prohm is located east of Angkor Thom, southwest of the East mebon. Any tuk tuk driver will know how to get to Ta Prohm The Temple of the Trees Ta Prohm is one of the most photographed [...]
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Temple Name: Ta Nei Notable Features: Located deep in the jungles of Angkor. Ideal for the adventurous traveler. Getting There: Ta Nei is not a popular tourist destination. As a result, few tuk tuk drivers and tour guides know where Ta Nei is located. To reach Ta Nei, follow the forest path that leads out [...]
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Temple Name: Srah Srang Notable Features: One of the most breathtaking sunrise views in Cambodia. Not overly crowded. Getting There: From Siem Reap, take the road to Angkor Wat. When you arrive at the moat of Angkor Wat, turn right. You will pass Prasat Kravan on your right. Then, you will arrive at Banteay Kdei [...]
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Temple Name: Spean Thma Notable Features: The remains of an ancient Khmer bridge. Getting There: Located 700 meters east of the Victory Gate at Angkor Thom, and 200 meters from Thommanon. The Ancient Bridge Over the Siem Reap River Spean Thma is an ancient stone bridge that used to cross the Siem Reap River. Since [...]
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Temple Name: Pre Rup Notable Features: Beautiful towers and terraces Getting There: Most tuk tuk drivers know where Pre Rup is located. Coming from Srah Srang, Pre Rup is located at a bend in the road between Srah Srang and East Mebon. It is a large temple – very difficult to miss. King Rajendravarman’s Khmer [...]
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Temple Name: Preah Ko Notable Features: Bull statues. Some of the earliest examples of Angkor architecture. Getting There: Located on the east side of Siem Reap. Take route #6 (Airport Road) for 12.5 km. There is a sign on the left that indicates the turnoff to Preah Ko. Turn left at the sign and travel [...]
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Temple Name: Preah Khan Notable Features: Detailed Naga and Apsara carvings. Home to Angkor’s only two-story building. Unique cylindrical columns. Getting There: To reach Preah Khan, take the road north from Angkor Thom’s North Gate. Follow the road northeast for 600 meters, east for 300 meters, and north for 250 meters. At this point, you [...]
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Temple Name: Prasat Kravan Notable Features: Remarkable bas-reliefs. Peculiar architectural style. Getting There: From Siem Reap, take the road to Angkor Wat. At the moat of Angkor Wat, turn right. Travel a short distance until your reach Prasat Kravan on your right. The Noblemen’s Temple Prasat Kravan is a brick temple built in the first [...]
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Temple Name: Prasat Ak Yum (also known as Ak Yom) Notable Features: Pre-Angkorian inscriptions and architecture. Getting There: Prasat Ak Yum is situated on the southern bank of the West Baray, about 1 km from the baray’s southwest corner. This is not a popular temple destination. Because of its obscurity, many tuk tuk drivers and [...]
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Temple Name: Phnom Krom Notable Features: Wonderful view of Tonle Sap Lake. Getting There: Phnom Krom is located 12 km southwest of Siem Reap, close to the Chong Khneas Port and the Tonle Sap Lake. The Hilltop Temple of the Trimurti Construction began on Phnom Krom towards the end of the 9th century, and was [...]
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Temple Name: Phnom Bakheng Notable Features: Lion statues that flank the pathway up the pyramid. Getting There: From Siem Reap, take the road to Angkor Wat. You will continue past Angkor Wat until you reach Phnom Bakheng on the left side of the road. Yasovarman’s State-Temple King Yasovarman I erected Phnom Bakheng late in the [...]
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Temple Name: Phimeanakas Notable Features: The peculiar design work of temple’s three tiers. Getting There: Phimeanakas is located within the Royal palace of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom is an extremely popular temple destination. Any tuk tuk driver or tour guide will know how to take you there. Angkor Thom’s Tallest Scalable Structure What this pyramid [...]
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Temple Name: Neak Pean Notable Features: Carvings of lotus blossoms, gargoyles, and serpents. Getting There: Neak Pean is located 2 km west of Ta Som, and approximately 2.5 km east of Preah Khan. The Temple of Entwining Serpents Under the kingship of Jayavarman VII, Neak Pean was erected sometime in the 12th century in the [...]
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Temple Name: Lolei Notable Features: Richly ornamented prasats (towers). Getting There: Lolei is located on the east side of Siem Reap in the Ruluos temple group. Any tuk tuk driver or tour guide will know how to take you to Ruluous. The Red Tower of Ruluos Lolei is the northern most temple of the Ruluos [...]
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Temple Name: Krol Ko Notable Features: Depictions of the bodhisattva Lokesvara in the temple courtyard. Getting There: Krol Ko is located on the road from Preah Kahn to Ta Som. The temple is located on the left, 100 meters after Neak Pean, which is located on the right. The Temple of Lokesvara Krol Ko was [...]
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Temple Name: The Khleangs Notable Features: Inscriptions around the doorways. Getting There: The Khleangs are situated opposite the Terrace of the Elephants in Angkor Thom. This is a very popular tourist destination. Any tuk tuk driver will know how to take you there. The Storehouse Temples The Khleangs are two structures located on the east [...]
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Temple Name: Kbal Spean Notable Features: Carvings of Hindu and Buddhist Mythological motifs. Getting There: From siem Reap, Kbal Spean is located along the road to Banteay Srei. You will pass Banteay Srei and continue on the road for another 13 km before you reach Kbal Spean. The ride takes approximately 90 minutes. In the [...]
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Temple Name: East Mebon Notable Features: Elephant statues carved out of a single block of stone. Getting There: East Mebon is located approximately 1.3 km from Pre Rup, and about 300 meters from the left turn to Banteay Samre. Heaven’s Temple East Mebon is large island temple located in the now dry East Baray. King [...]
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Temple Name: East Baray Notable Features: The mammoth baray dikes. The temple East Mebon. Getting There: Located due east of Angkor Thom The Mammoth Baray of Yasovarman I King Yasovarman I constructed the East Baray, a mammoth man-made lake, in the 10th century. The function of this and other barays has been the focus of [...]
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Temple Name: Chau Say Tevoda Notable Features: Well-preserved Hindu and Buddhist carvings. Getting There: From Angkor Thom, Chau Say Tevoda is located 500 meters from the Victory Gate on the way to Ta Keo. This isn’t a popular tourist destination. As a result, you might want to go with a guide that knows the area [...]
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Temple Name: The Bayon Notable Features: The more than 200 carved stone faces. Getting There: The Bayon is situated in the center of Angkor Thom. This is an extremely popular tourist destination. Any tuk tuk driver or tour guide will know how to take you there. The Temple of Stone Faces Located in the middle [...]
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Temple Name: Baphuon Notable Features: Exceptional animal carvings at the temple’s main entrance. Getting There: Baphuon is situated within Angkor Thom, approximately 200 meters northwest of the Bayon. The Fallen Mountain Baphuon is a gargantuan temple-mountain built sometime in the 11th century by King Udayadityavarman II. This temple is in an advanced state of ruin, [...]
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Temple Name: Banteay Srei Notable Features: Some of the finest examples of Khmer artwork in all of Cambodia. Getting There: From Siem Reap, follow the road to East Mebon. Turn right between Pre Rup and East Mebon, or about 14 km from Siem Reap (there is a Banteay Srei signpost). You will pass the village [...]
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Temple Name: Banteay Samré Notable Features: Richly detailed carvings of the Vishnulegends. Getting There: From Siem Reap, travel about 14 km along the road to East Mebon. Turn right at the Banteay Samré signpost located somewhere between Pre Rup and East Mebon. Follow the road past the village of Pradak. There is a T-junction in [...]
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Temple Name: Banteay Kdei Notable Features: Wonderul Buddhist bas-reliefs. Getting There: From Siem Reap, take the road to Angkor Wat. Turn right at Angkor Wat’s moat. You will see Banteay Kdei on your left, across from the man-made water reservoir Srah Srang. A Fallen Monastery King Jayavarman VII constructed Banteay Kdei sometime in the late [...]
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Temple Name: Baksei Chamkrong Notable Features: Unique inscriptions around the tower entrance. Getting There: Baksei Chamkrong is located on the left, near the South Gate of Angkor Thom. Its classical pyramid shape is difficult to miss. Furthermore, most tuk tuk drivers and tour guides know about Baksei Chamkrong. The Pyramid of Shiva Baksei Chamkrong is [...]
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Temple Name: Angkor Thom Temple Notable Features: The Bayon. Richly ornamented temple gates. Getting There: Angkor Thom is located 1.7 km northwest of the main entrance to Angkor Wat. Coming from the east, Angkor Thom is accessed via the Victory Gate, which is 1 km west of Ta Keo. The Great City King Jayavarman VII [...]
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