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 Rolom Ta Cet

A small ancient laterite bridge that is still in use (local trails). Remnants of the sandstone naga balustrade can still be seen, and notably, it features post and lintel construction rather than corbelled arches. Update: since 2022, the trail goes around the bridge now. Traffic is almost exclusively local farmers on small Kubota tractors. Historical … Read more

Spean Toap Chey

A small laterite bridge that’s still in use with five arches, recorded as measuring 20 m long and 3 m high. It originally featured a naga balustrade but only scattered pieces of the balustrade can still be seen. As of 2021, several arches have mostly collapsed, some have partially collapsed internally. I believe years ago … Read more

Spean Khmeng (Phnom Srok)

Laterite bridge measuring around 9m wide and 25m long located in Banteay Meanchey province a little over 3km east of Phnom Srok. It is well preserved and used today only by local residents with the main traffic diverting around with a new bridge to the east.

Trapeang Chambak Temple

Located west of the Preah Khan of Kampong Svay complex and also recorded as Chambork Temple and Prasat Chambok, it’s an ancient temple that French researchers from the 1900s would label “Temple D’etape” which was akin to a stopping place along the ancient road that, in this case, led west to Beng Mealea. Whilst no … Read more

Ampil Temple (Chhouk Village)

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

Spean Memay (Yeang Commune)

Located along the ancient road that led out of Angkor to Phnom Srok (and beyond), Spean Memay of Yeang Commune is a laterite bridge recorded as measuring 45 meters long and 9 meters wide. Note there are several bridges named “Memay” see here for others and a larger map of the ancient road network and bridges … Read more

Kuk Bros Temple

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

Wat Brasat Tramneak (Tram Neak)

Located on the northeastern side of Siem Reap city, Wat Brasat Tramneak is a contemporary monastery and pagoda that was built upon the location of the ancient temple known as Prasat Tram Neak. In a site report from 1930, the various remnants of the ancient temple were noted (see images below) with the style of … Read more

Khleang Temple

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

Ta Met Temple

Ruinous brick temple built on a foundation of laterite.

Trapeang Tasit Temple

A modern monastery (Puthan Nokor Reach Thorm Meta Pagoda) on the ancient temple site features a large moat, while the only remnants to be seen are several sandstone plinths and pieces. Gallery