Lajonquiere
Étienne-Edmond Lunet de Lajonquière (1861-1933), with local assistants, expanded upon the earlier work of Aymonier to create a comprehensive inventory of ancient Khmer temples and ruins. This work was published in three volumes: Inventaire descriptif des monuments du Cambodge I, II, & III (1901-1911). The map below shows the sites listed within those three volumes.
Andet Temple (Kampong Thom)
Prasat Andet, also recorded as Prasat Andaet, is an ancient 7th-century brick temple located on the grounds of a contemporary monastery and pagoda atop a large and high mound which is then surrounded by a moat. Several statues from here including a Harihara statue can be found at the Phnom Penh National Museum. This uniquely … Read more
Phnom Bakheng – The Mountain Top Pyramid – History & Highlights
Bakheng Temple sits atop the 65m rise that carries the same name, Phnom Bakheng and looks across the plains below with Angkor Thom to its north and Angkor Wat to its southeast, both of which it predates by more than two centuries. It’s a monumental construction that followed the beliefs of the time and the … Read more
Temple of Preah Vihear
Prasat Preah Vihear is another of the great wonders of the Khmer Empire, a grand sandstone temple complex atop a 500 m cliff of the Dangrek Mountain range. Since July 7, 2008, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A page update is in progress……… Getting there: From Siem Reap, you can … Read more
Beng Cheung Temple
Location of an ancient temple site that is reported to have once featured 5 brick temples. Inscription PIEDROIT DE PRASAT BEN NORTH (K. 167) The southern tower of the western row of Prását Běň Nord, a monument in the vicinity of Čikrèn (province of Kompon Thom) ignored by AYMONIER, bears an inscription engraved on its … Read more
Beng Tbong Temple
An ancient site, once a group of four brick temples, which was also the provenance of two inscriptions and other remnants. According to the inscription style noted by George Coedes, the site likely dated to around the 10-11th century. The lintel pictured in the historical images is a fascinating one, incorporating outward-facing Makara at either … Read more
Chikreng Khang Kaeut Temple
The original site is currently recorded as located 300m south-southeast of Wat Chikreng. While nothing remains, remnants found at Wat Chikreng may include some from this site. In some historical records, the lintel pictured above (EFEO Fonds) is noted as originating from this site, yet other records note it as coming from a site further … Read more
Chikreng Khang Lech Temple
The ancient site, speculated to be a group of three brick temples, was originally recorded as being located 800m west of Pr. Chikreng east, the most recent reports list the site as being located 2km to the northwest of Wat Chikreng. Regardless, nothing remains at the original site with remnants now stored at Wat Chikreng … Read more
Spean Praptos – Kampong Kdei Bridge
Also known as Kampong Kdei Bridge, Preah Toes Bridge, or Spean Kampong Kdei, it is a grand ancient laterite bridge measuring 86 m long and 14 m wide with 21 arches and topped by a sandstone balustrade with stunning ornamental naga. It received some restorative work in the 1920s and comprehensive restoration in the 1960s … Read more
Kampong Kdei Temple
Also recorded as Prasat Praptos, it’s the remains of a laterite temple that carries inscriptions from the 10th century. Not a lot remains of the site today bar a partially standing laterite wall, some plinths, and an inscribed sandstone doorframe. Whilst no foundation stele was discovered to record such, George Coedes noted the site as … Read more
Spean Phum O
Laterite bridge that is reported to measure 33 m long, 8.2 m wide and 3.2 m high. At the time of visiting, 06/21, it was a little overgrown.
Wat Ksach (Chikreang District Siem Reap)
Contemporary monastery and pagoda that also houses remains of an ancient temple including a pedestal and other fragments (reported to house some late-era Buddha statues too). It also features an older wooden columned vihara.
Thnâl Dach Temple (Tomnob Anlong Kravil Temple)
Featuring three standing brick towers, library building, outer gallery wall measuring 30 m x 25 m, outer moat, and large basin in the east, and an adjacent contemporary monastery. Thnal Dach is a charming remote site in the Angkor region. The outer wall is still standing in part featuring a main entrance on the east … Read more
Ta Meun Temple
Modern monastery, Wat Kriel, built near the remains of an ancient site.
Spean Tnaot Ta Dev
Laterite bridge oriented East-West with a balustrade decorated with sandstone naga. It is 11 m long and 6.50 m wide. (about a hundred meters west of the northwest corner of the moat.)
Beng Mealea Temple
Beng Mealea (Khmer: ប្រាសាទបឹងមាលា) is one of the ancient Khmer Empires’ larger temple complexes and is located 40 km east of the main group of temples at Angkor Archeological Park along the ancient royal highway that led to Preah Khan of Kampong Svay. According to the architectural style, similar to that of Angkor Wat, it … Read more
Prasat Daun Chan (Don Chan Temple)
Also recorded as Prasat Daun Chan and Dong Chan, it is located around 400m to the southwest of the western entrance of Beng Mealea Temple. It features an outer laterite enclosure wall with a single cruciform entrance pavilion (gopura) on the eastern side and a single shrine with a library building in the southeast corner. … Read more
Kong Pluk Temple
Also known as Kong Phlouk Temple. It is an unusual site (for the Angkor area), featuring a stepped laterite pyramid, and not to be missed on an excursion to Beng Mealea. The site is found at the southeast corner of the baray of Beng Mealea and is unusually aligned on a north-south axis. According to … Read more
Chrei Temple (Beng Mealea)
Also known as Chrey Temple, Prasat Chrey and even Prasat Chrek. It is sandstone temple with two libraries, outer wall with entry gopura, terrace (listed here), and basin. It is a feature of the ancient Royal Road network and one of the several structures that early French researchers would classify as “Temple d’étape” (waypoint or … Read more
Kansaeng Temple
Prasat Kansaeng, or Kuk Top Thom, is located inside the moat and in the southwest quadrant of Beng Mealea Temple’s large grounds. It is what’s known as a “firehouse” or “Vahnigriha” that was a feature along the East Road. Outside of those in Angkor, it is the first standing firehouse as we head east out … Read more
Batang (Terrace of Pr. Chrey)
Large cruciform sandstone terrace that was connected on the west side by a causeway to Pr. Chrey. At a guess, it is one meter or so in height, around 20 m long and 4 m wide running east-west, and similar running north-south making a cruciform shape. It features ornate decoration and molding typical of the … Read more
Spean Khmeng (Khvav)
Located along the ancient East Royal Road that joined Angkor to Beng Mealea and Preah Khan of Kampong Svay, it’s a medium-sized laterite bridge, still in use, with 8 arches and recorded as measuring 35 meters long and 7 meters wide. Like most of the ancient bridges on this section of the ancient road, it … Read more
Spean Ta Ong
Also recorded as Spean Ta Oak and Spean Ta Oung. It is an ancient laterite bridge measuring 63 m long, 12 m wide, and 7.3 m high featuring 14 arches, and is recorded as the largest bridge along the ancient East Royal Road that connected Angkor to Beng Mealea to Preah Khan (Kampong Svay) – … Read more
Toap Chey Temple
Also known as Prasat Teap Chei or Prasat Toap Chey Toch, it is a “resthouse” or “firehouse” that was a feature along the ancient East & Northwest Royal Road. It is currently kept cleared and there is a foot trail connecting to the nearby Toap Chey Thom. Images 2024 Images 2021 Historical Notes The neighbouring site of … Read more
Angkor Thom (Enclosure & Moat)
The grand outer enclosure wall of Angkor Thom is 3 km square constructed of laterite and further supported by an inner earthen buttressing. The enclosure has five monumental gates preceded by causeways that cross the 110m wide outer surrounding moat. The five gates are covered here: South Gate (Tonle Om), West Gate (Thvear Ta Kev), … Read more
Bayon Temple – Hidden Quirks, Facts and History
Bayon Temple is a richly decorated ancient Khmer temple located at the center of Angkor Thom in Angkor Archeological Park of Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is one of the must-see temples when visiting the area being famous for its array of towers with smiling faces and “baroque” architecture in a Khmer context. From an architectural … Read more
Tep Pranam Temple
Tep Pranam (Khmer: ប្រាសាទទេពប្រណម្យ), located inside Angkor Thom, is a “Buddhist terrace” featuring seated lions and naga balustrades with a giant seated Buddha. It is located just north of the Terrace of the Leper King. The terrace is typical of Buddhist Terrace constructions being low height, cruciform shape, and facing east. Preceded by an approx.. … Read more