Preah Pithu

March 19, 2012

in Angkor Temples

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 five small temples, all of which are in an advanced state of ruin. The temples of Preah Pithu have been assigned the following descriptors: T, U, V, X, and Y. Even though these temples compose a single complex, archeologists believe that the temples were designed by different people and constructed in different times. A single moat that surrounds temples T and U suggests that these two temples may’ve been constructed simultaneously.

Temples T, U, V, and Y are dedicated to the deities of Hinduism. Temple X, however, is devoted to the principles of Buddhism. Even though the temples are in poor shape, there are some well-preserved carvings located throughout.

The temples of Preah Pithu are hidden in the Cambodian Jungle. Tourists seldom explore Preah Pithu, which makes the area a particularly nice escape from the crowded grounds of nearby temples. Also, there is a pleasant jungle area behind the group that makes for a nice shaded picnic.

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Preah Palilay

March 19, 2009

in Angkor Temples

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 of the name “Parilyyaka”, which is the forest where Buddha sought refuge after fleeing Kosambi.

The temple is located under the shade of fig and silk-cotton trees. It is in a state of advanced ruin, but charming nonetheless. Interestingly, Preah Palilay is also ornamented with Hindu imagery. The Khmer people were heavily influenced by the principles of both Buddhism and Hinduism.

The temple’s central tower is in poor shape, but its peculiar form is the object of innumerable photographs. Most visitors compare the shape of the central tower to a chimney.

The eastern gopura (gateway) displays some wonderfully carved bas-reliefs. Buddhist imagery adorns the eastern gopura, giving travelers a sense of the Khmer people’s deep attachment to the spiritual self.

Preah Palilay can be appreciated at any time of the day. The shade of the silk-cotton trees makes for an extremely pleasant temple experience. Since Preah Palilay is not as touristed as some of the surrounding temple structures, it is a wonderful place to capture the natural essence of the Cambodian jungle. Its peculiar central tower and well-preserved Buddhist carvings are also worth the visit.

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Experience The Power Of Angkor Wat

Angkor Temples

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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West Mebon

Angkor Temples

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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West Baray

Angkor Temples

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 Temple

Angkor Temples

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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Terrace of the Leper King

Angkor Temples

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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Terrace of the Elephants

Angkor Temples

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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Ta Keo

Angkor Temples

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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Ta Som

Angkor Temples

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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Ta Prohm

Angkor Temples

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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Ta Nei

Angkor Temples

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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Srah Srang

Angkor Temples

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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Spean Thma

Angkor Temples

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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Pre Rup

Angkor Temples

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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Preah Ko

Angkor Temples

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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Preah Khan

Angkor Temples

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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Prasat Kravan

Angkor Temples

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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Prasat Ak Yum

Angkor Temples

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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Phnom Krom

Angkor Temples

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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Phnom Bakheng

Angkor Temples

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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Phimeanakas

Angkor Temples

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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Neak Pean

Angkor Temples

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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Lolei

Angkor Temples

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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Krol Ko

Angkor Temples

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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The Khleangs

Angkor Temples

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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Kbal Spean

Angkor Temples

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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East Mebon

Angkor Temples

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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East Baray

Angkor Temples

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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Chau Say Tevoda

Angkor Temples

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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The Bayon

Angkor Temples

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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Baphuon

Angkor Temples

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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Banteay Srei

Angkor Temples

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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Banteay Samré

Angkor Temples

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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Banteay Kdei

Angkor Temples

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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Baksei Chamkrong

Angkor Temples

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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Angkor Thom Temple

Angkor Temples

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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