Ancient Royal Road
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.
Spean O Chamrea
Small laterite bridge, recorded as being located to the northeast of Prasat Trapeang Chambak
Damrei Chhlang Temple
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
Monti Ab Rom
Location where ancient remains were found.
Spean
A laterite bridge (not in use) with 11 arches measuring approximately 30 m long, 10 m wide, and 2.5 m high. Located along the ancient Royal Road and just within the grounds of Phokeethra Country Club.
Prei Prasat (Kok Chan Village)
Once a group of three temples aligned north-south and open to the east with moat according to reports, its hard to tell today. What remains is the laterite base structure that is still topped with some of the bricks that would have formed one of the small square brick towers. Sandstone blocks can be seen … Read more
Spean Phneak Dai
An ancient laterite bridge measuring around 20+ m long and located on the ancient road just north of Prasat Seman Teng.
Spean Thma
An ancient laterite bridge, oriented Northwest – Southeast, with at least five arches. It measures 10 meters long and 5 meters wide.
Trâpeang Spean
Laterite bridge, with at least 4 arches. It measures 15 meters long and 5 meters wide. It originally formed part of the ancient Royal Road from Angkor to Phimai.
Spean Popa
Laterite bridge (still in use) that appears to be around a few meters wide and 15 m or so meters long. Cisark notes that it is composed of 10 arches, measuring 20 meters long and 6 meters wide with a sandstone terminal 10 m to the north that bears an inscription of two lines and … Read more
Spean
Laterite bridge consists of 4 arches. It measures 15 meters long and 6 meters wide.
Spean
Laterite bridge measuring 15 meters long and 8 meters wide according to Cisark, what can be seen appears as 2-3 m wide and 10 m or so long but it is overgrown and possibly partly buried.
Spean
Laterite bridge recorded as measuring 30 meters long and 6 meters wide, as at 06/21, it is heavily overgrown but a path does cut through the shrub to where a section of the bridge appears to have collapsed.
Wat Prasat
Located on the site of Reangsei Pagoda, a ruinous east-facing small brick temple with inscribed sandstone doorframes (K # unknown). Several remnants are seen around the doorway including colonette and other carved pieces. There is a contemporary pagoda immediately east and a large basin. Gallery
Wat Kakoh (Santuk)
Buddhist monastery housing ancient remains including inscribed stele (registered under K. 146), sema stone, lintels, and pedestals. The pagoda is quite unusual formed in a cross rising up on a double-tiered platform with its doors boarded shut, hopefully in lieu of restoration works. On the east side of the pagoda are two shelters containing relics … Read more
Spean Khvav
Located on the east side of Khvav Village, on the present-day and ancient East Road that joined Angkor to Beng Mealea to Preah Khan of Kampong Svay. It’s a medium sized laterite bridge that is in amazing condition, recorded as measuring 26 m long, 7 m wide and 3.2 m high. It still retains fragments … Read more
Spean Phum O
A small ancient laterite bridge that is no longer in use with the present-day road diverting slightly to the south. Note the beautiful arches. Recorded as being 10 m long and 5.5 m wide and 2.6 m high.
Spean Svay
Laterite bridge consists of 4 arches visible but that was to include 7. It measures 22.5 m long, 7.8 m wide and 3.45 m high (source: Cisark).
Spean Thnâl Dach
Laterite bridge consists of 4 arches visible but that was to include 7. It measures nearly 27 meters long, 7.5 to 8 m wide and 3 m high (Source: Cisark).
Spean
Laterite blocks indicating the presence of an ancient bridge (source: Cisark)
Spean Khmeng
Laterite bridge (not in use). It’s located 1100m east-northeast of Wat Preah Bat Buon Than and around 150m north of the present-day road.