One of the iconic temples of the ancient Khmer Empire, Prasat Prang is a giant seven-level stepped pyramid temple attributed to the reign of King Jayavarman IV and the 10th century. It is the highlight of the Koh Ker group of temples that was, for a brief period, the ancient capital of the empire before … Read more
Also recorded as Prasat Banteay Torp, the temple is perhaps one of the least talked about of the large ancient sites in Cambodia but certainly one packed with curiosity. The site covers a large area with the very outer perimeter of the site defined by a levee measuring 2 km a side, no substantial archeological … Read more
Prasat Banteay Chhmar is one of Cambodia’s major ancient temple complexes featuring a massive temple complex covering almost 1sq km enclosed by an outer moat and further surrounded by eight satellite temples along with a grand baray (1700 m x 700 m) on its eastern side. For the satellite temples see Pr. Ta Im, Pr. … Read more
Also known as Prasat Char Leu temple, it is located on the monastery grounds of Wat Leu and was a small temple site that still has one standing red sandstone tower. The tower was never completed having received very little final decorative carving bar that can be seen on a pediment above the eastern door … Read more
Wat Ek Phnom, or Ek Phnom Pagoda, is located 8 km north of Battambang city featuring the remains of an 11th-century ancient temple fronted by a contemporary pagoda that also features a giant Buddha statue. The ancient temple, part in ruin, is a square sandstone shrine with a “library” building enclosed by an outer wall … Read more
Located northeast of Battambang city and sometimes referred to as Prasat Baset/Basaet, Baset Temple, or Prasat Barsaet, it’s the ruins of a large and grandiose ancient temple complex estimated around 400 m x 150 m centering on a large central temple surrounded by six small temples with two libraries. It’s believed to date to the … Read more
Phnom Banan, also known as Wat Banan, is a must-see ancient site located around 20 km south of the city of Battambang. From its eastern side, a grand terrace platform with naga balustrade precedes a staircase flanked by lions rising 400m to the grand temple featuring five ancient ruinous towers, albeit not in a quincunx … Read more
Located on the north side of a small mountain bearing the same name Phnom Khyong or Khyang Mountain, you can find a staircase leading up to a cave that houses a very ancient brick temple. A metal staircase leads down into a large cavernous area and straight ahead, take the small steel ladder to the … Read more
Located around 12 km from Kampot, 25 km from Kep, and 140 km from Phnom Penh, Phnom Chhngok is a small mountain featuring a Buddhist temple on one side and on its western side a cave featuring an ancient temple dating to the 5th century Funan Era. From the site entrance on the western side … Read more
Located around 40 km north of Phnom Penh in Kandal Province, Oudong became the capital of Cambodia after it shifted from nearby Longvek in 1618 and was the seat of power for over two centuries until around 1863 when it shifted to what is now Phnom Penh. The ancient capital once radiated out around the … Read more
The monastery of Wat Hanchey overlooks the Mekong River from its hilltop location featuring ancient sites that date back to the 7th and 8th centuries during the Chenla Era. The monastery is area is large, featuring several sculptures, pagoda, halls, a recreation of an Angkorian era temple, seating with views over the massive Mekong river … Read more
A tall brick temple with remains of an outer laterite wall and moat. Interestingly, the name locals use for the site today is the same as the ancient name of the site as recorded by an inscription which there is more on further below. The site is surrounded by a moat with an entrance on … Read more
Perhaps originally a group of three temples, what we see today is an ancient temple constructed of sandstone and laterite that is fronted by a terrace created from temple remains including lintels and plinths. The remaining temple is square and constructed of laterite with sandstone pilasters, doorframes, false doors, and base molding. Unusually, the temple … Read more
Also recorded as Prasat Kruok Troung (Tower W) is the southernmost temple of the Sambor Prei Kuk group. It is a rectangular brick temple, opening to the east, with false doors around its other sides that are flanked by “flying palace” reliefs. Also flanking the false doors, which received steps regardless, are decorative round columns … Read more
A group of three ancient brick temples aligned on a north-south axis built on a common platform. Surrounded by an outer enclosure wall around 40 m x 40 m constructed of laterite, all three have single open doorways opening to the east and are fronted by a brick “library” building in the southeast corner. Further … Read more
Joining the ranks of the country’s most unusual ancient temples, Prasat Phnom Preah Theat features a gigantic rock monolith that provides a shelter for an ancient laterite temple. There’s a charming staircase that leads to the top past an array of giant rock boulders taking around ten minutes. The laterite temple features a long stepped … Read more
Also recorded as Po Damnak Temple. It is a group of three sandstone temples built upon a common platform. They are incomplete, receiving only part of their final decoration. The three towers open to the east and the central tower has a mandapa or hall with side windows. The central tower had received some of … Read more
Also recorded as South Chheuteal Temple, it is located on the western side of Preah Khan of Kampong Svay. It is a tall square laterite temple opening to the east with a short forebody. It’s built atop a raised square laterite platform. It’s well preserved although it appears to have never been completed with carving … Read more