A map and (growing) list of ancient temples, firehouses, hospital chapels and infrastructure along the ancient “Royal Road” network of the Khmer Empire, Cambodia.
The ancient road network of the Khmer Empire was expansive, covering thousands of km’s, centred on Angkor, and headed
– Southeast Royal Road: from Angkor to Kampong Kdei, and southeast to Prasat Andet and Sambor Prei Kuk
– East Royal Road: from Angkor, east to Beng Mealea and Beng Mealea to Preah Khan of Kampong Svay
– Northeast Royal Road: northeast from Beng Mealea to Koh Ker and Wat Phu
– Northwest Royal Road: from Angkor, northwest to Phimai
– Southwest Royal Road: from Angkor, southwest to Sdok Kak Thom.
For our journeys along the ancient road and around Cambodia see Tour journals and the new book, Ancient Cambodia.
Prasat Ampil is the remains of “firehouse” (read more here) constructed from laterite featuring a tall tower extending to the east with a hall featuring three windows on its southern side and none on the north. The tower still retains its sandstone crown piece in situ. There is also a basin and the site is … Read more
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
Prasat Banteay Ampil located some 40km east of Angkor Wat, along the ancient East Road and around 20km east from Chau Srei Vibol Temple. It is incredibly well preserved and is still in its original state, mostly unrestored bar minor preservation works and structural supports. It sits on the north side of the ancient road, … Read more
A small but very charming site located in Damdek to the west of Siem Reap and not to be confused with the larger Banteay Srei located north of Siem Reap. Albeit ruinous and having only partial restoration, the site is a must-see if you are traveling out that way. It is reported as being Khleang … Read more
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
Ancient boundary marker or mile marker. A chance discovery while having lunch, the lady at the shop mentioned it as being one of three in the area along the road at regular intervals. Also, the food is delicious there, bai sach chrouk pictured below.
Also recorded as Chaw Srei Vibol, it is a unique temple site located along the ancient East Royal Road that leads from Angkor to Beng Melea and from there connects to Preah Khan of Kampong Svay and in another direction, Koh Ker, Neak Buos, and Wat Phu. The site was believed to have been constructed … Read more
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
Located on the grounds of a contemporary monastery and pagoda (វត្តទិព្វពិសី), Prasat Damrei Chhlang is a square laterite base of an ancient temple (or a later rearrangement of its parts) with sandstone capping, and a pedestal at the center. Neak Ta shelters front and rear containing ancient site fragments and contemporary statues. Gallery
Also known as Rong Damrei Temple and Prasat Ta Kam, it is located to the east of Prasat Kdei Ta Kom Thom (or Kol Temple). It features the partially standing remains of a laterite temple that had an annex building (library) and outer wall with a large basin in the east. It is noted that … Read more
Located just south of a contemporary monastery. Wat Khleang Khmaut is a large and unique brick stupa/chedi. It features a square base tapering as it goes up with each level and is topped with a large cone that’s then topped with four smiling faces of old Brahma and a further spire. There are also some … Read more
Located just north of NR6 in Chikreng district of Siem Reap province, the site was once the location of an ancient brick temple. According to historical reports, the site featured a brick temple, opening to the east with a sandstone doorframe and decorated round door columns. A lintel, grinding stone, and pedestal were recovered from … Read more
Located in the large Srayang Commune of Preah Vihear Province, Koh Ker Archaeological Site is an ancient capital city dating to the 10th century featuring over 50 recorded temples and over 100 archeological sites along with being home to Cambodia’s famed pyramid temple, Prasat Prang. Known in old Khmer inscriptions as Chok Gargyar and Lingapura … Read more
Prasat Kok Mon is another of the many “firehouse” that lined the ancient roads of the Khmer Empire acting as the temple of a larger resting area. Sharing the same basic layout as other “firehouses” this one is constructed of laterite with three sandstone framed windows in its south wall. The temple has several curiosities … Read more
Site features the ruinous remains of a laterite building known to be one of the many firehouse/resthouses that were built along the ancient road. The site is heavily overgrown (03/22) but its typical shape is easily noticeable, a tower with a forebody/hall leading east and a series of windows in the southern wall. There are … Read more
Located at the corner of the ancient basin and road leading up to Neak Buos Temple, Prasat Kuk (south) is the remains of a laterite temple, with “library” building enclosed by a laterite wall with an entrance pavilion on the eastern side. The central temple has mostly collapsed but originally opened to the east with … Read more
Located at the northeast corner of the ancient basin and just south of the larger Neak Buos Temple, Prasat Kuk Srei is a ruinous but fascinating site of a distinct and unusual format. This unusual format consists of a U-shaped building fronted by a long peristyle construction that researchers note as a building of the … Read more
Located 3km to the southeast of Purrieng village, and just north of the ancient road that led from Beng Mealea to Wat Phu, Prasat Mak Ma is reminiscent of Temple d’Etapes that are seen along the same ancient road from Angkor to Preah Khan of Kampong Svay. In this case, the single shrine is built … Read more
Located on the side of the Dangrek Mountain range, Prasat Neak Buos is a fascinating and massive ancient temple complex featuring a diverse group of structures in brick, sandstone, and laterite. The fascinating site dates back to the late 7th century with additions continuing through the 9th, 10th, 11th, and the last construction, a hospital … Read more
An ancient laterite bridge that is slowly becoming surrounded by new developments. A new channel that diverts around the ancient bridge has almost turned the site into an island. The “island” is heavily overgrown and not cleared for visiting (2021) make it through the scrub and some of the arches can still be seen from … Read more
Phimai Temple (now in present-day Thailand) was an important outpost at the time of the Khmer Empire. The temple Prasat Hin Phimai, located in the center of the town, was one of the major Khmer temples connected with Angkor by ancient Royal Roads and the last temple on the Angkor-Phimai Royal Road. The site is … Read more
Located along the ancient Royal Road that leads from Beng Mealea to Preah Khan of Kampong Svay, Phnom Bantheay (as Google labels it) is located atop one of the hills that flank this ancient road on the Khvav-Preah Khan section. The site features an outer laterite wall with bell capping, opening to the east with … Read more
An ancient moated city, now the capital of Phnom Srok district. The outer moat surrounding the city is a little more than 1 km wide and just under 1km tall now enclosing contemporary Khmer life inc. residences, businesses, and schools etc.. There are few ancient remains to be seen bar the Preah Srok site, the … Read more
Also recorded as Prasat Phoum and Prasat Pagoda (on Google Maps), it is a tall rectangular brick temple of the 8th century located on the grounds of a contemporary monastery. The ancient temple was restored in 2007 and still preserves much of the beautiful artwork of that time which is attributed to “Kampong Preah style” … Read more
Another feature along the ancient royal road, Prasat Pram, was what the early French archeologists called “Temples d’étape” in simple terms, what they believed to be a temple that was part of a staging or stopping place. Other temples of this type include Prasat Toap Chey Thom, Prasat Chrei, and others, which are only found … Read more
Located 700m south-southwest of Banteay Ampil temple and 450m south of the ancient East Road, the site features the traces of an ancient temple with a few sandstone and brick fragments and 50m to the east a large basin around 80m x 40m. Images 2021
Located 800m west of Banteay Ampil temple and just north of the ancient East Road, the site features an array of sandstone fragments and 200m to the east a large basin 200m x 110m. According to the decorative style the site may have dated to the 11th century. The site has been cleared and excavated … Read more
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
