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.
Located around 5km southwest of Beng Mealea, Prasat Sak Kdar features the remnants of what appears to have been a brick temple. On visiting in late 2024, it was quite overgrown, and there wasn’t a lot to see apart from a couple of sandstone blocks and scattered bricks among excavation wells. To the east is … Read more
It is located along the ancient East Road that joined Angkor to Beng Mealea and Preah Khan of Kampong Svay and 500m east of Road 64 and the village of Trapeang Ruessei. When asking about the old road, local villagers pointed us toward the bridge, which we accessed following the old road from the east, … Read more
Contemporary monastery that was founded in recent times. The site retains several sandstone fragments from an ancient temple. There is some folklore surrounding the site and its remnants. One night, while studying the Dhama, a monk saw a white light in front of the throne. He told the abbot, who did not believe, but for … Read more
Located just north of Spean Khmeng on the ancient East Road that joined Angkor to Preah Khan of Kampong Svay. Wat Kambao Or is a contemporary Buddhist pagoda featuring several ancient road markers. The ancient road markers seen here are similar to those seen near Spean Praptos on the Southeast Road and others at Wat … Read more
Located around 5km to the northwest of Khvav village near the southern border of Siem Reap Province, on the southern step of Phnom Khtum. It features a tall laterite wall that is mostly still standing. On Google Maps, it has been added as “Lobaek Temple”. The site doesn’t appear in historical French inventories nor on … Read more
Located 380m south-southeast of Banteay Ampil temple and 190m south of the ancient East Road, the site features traces of an ancient temple with sandstone fragments and blocks. It’s recorded on Google Maps as “គ្រឹះប្រាសាទជាន់លេច”. The site sits in the centre of an undeveloped area measuring around 140m x 140m, surrounded by village homes. The … 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
Remains of a small laterite bridge located along the ancient road that led out of Angkor to Phnom Srok (and beyond to Sdok Kak Thom). See a larger map of the ancient road network and bridges here and here.
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
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.
Shelter with what appear to be ancient sandstone plinths, carved with personages at some time
Also recorded as Chass Pagoda, it’s a contemporary monastery and pagoda featuring remnants of an ancient temple. Remnants include a large collection of laterite, some shaped, gathered by a tree. Also, ancient or contemporary, what appears to be a laterite causeway leading east from the contemporary vihara and an overgrown mound of pieces. In a … Read more
Located just east of Beng Mealea, it’s a small ancient bridge that is still in use today and, quite amazingly, holding up to today’s heavy vehicles. It has been sealed over with bitumen and goes completely unnoticed apart from the locals who live on either side. It’s quite small, only around 13-15 m long and … 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
Contemporary monastery and pagoda that has recently been quite beautifully restored. The full translation of the Khmer site name is Wat Thom Sovan Rainsy Serey Mongkul.
Located near the RN 6 just across the border from Kandal into Kampong Cham is a beautiful looking mountain and village area. Atop the mountain that is also recorded as Phnom Cheung Chhnok, of course, there is a pagoda! You can ride up to the pagoda and enjoy amazing views all the way to Phnom … Read more
Also recorded as Phnom Del Pagoda, it’s a contemporary monastery and pagoda set atop a small rise that offers views over the fields and villages below. On the east side of the pagoda, you can see a large rock monolith and remnants from an ancient site including a pedestal featuring an embossed Garuda, a carved … Read more
The monastery, also known as Wat Porpech, houses the remains of an ancient temple. On display beside the pagoda are a lintel and sandstone naga corner pieces. Further remains may be located inside the pagoda but sadly it was locked on last visit. Update – revisiting the site in 06/22 to see more remains stored … 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
Partial remains of a brick temple located near the ancient road linking Angkor to Sambor
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 just north of the much larger Spean Toap and to the east of Prohm Kel Temple, Spean Tbong is a laterite bridge with 13 arches recorded as measuring 43 m long and 9.5 m wide.
Laterite bridge featuring 15 arches and recorded as measuring 92 m long and 9.5 m wide. It is located less than two hundred meters south of the much larger Spean Toap and the two are connected in some way by a linear line of laterite blocks between the two bridges that are seen on the … Read more
Sdok Kak Thom, is an 11th-century Khmer temple in present-day Thailand, located about 34 km northeast of the Thai border town of Aranyaprathet. It is the last (known) temple on the southwestern ancient Khmer Royal Road network see map. The site is notable for its much-discussed inscriptions registered under K235 and K1087.
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
