Angkor Thom West Gate (also recorded as Ta Kav Gate, TaKaov, Thvear Ta Keo) is one of the five ancient gates allowing entry into Angkor Thom. The other gates are the South Gate (Thvear Tonle Om), North Gate (Thvear Ta Nok), Victory Gate (Thvear Chey), and East Gate (Gate of the Dead or Thvear Khnoch). … Read more
Baksei Chamkrong (Khmer: ប្រាសាទបក្សីចាំក្រុង) is a temple located in the Angkor Archeological Park (Siem Reap, Cambodia). The temple can be seen on the left side when entering Angkor Thom at the southern gate. It was dedicated to King Yasovarman by his son, King Harshavarman I, and held Shiva as the main deity. The temple was … Read more
The Baphuon Temple, located in Angkor Thom to the northwest of the Bayon temple, is another of the famed mountain temples built by the ancient Khmer. The temple is known for its grand entrance, its scale, and the impressive reliefs especially those on the second enclosure of the top level. It dates to the mid-11th century, … Read more
A small 3 m square temple dedicated to Brahmanism while the exact era is unknown. Originally only several large sandstone pieces could be seen but it has recently been undergoing restoration.
Also known as Beng Thom, an East-West oriented basin measuring 350 x 180 m. Linked to Rong Ta Dev, a hole for runoff flows in the outer wall of Angkor Thom. The basin also features a series of smaller basins to its east where there are also remains of an ancient site known as Terrace … Read more
Chan Ta Uon Temple (Khmer: ប្រាសាទចាន់តាអួន), or Prasat Prei, is located about 800 meters northwest of the walls of Angkor Thom, located in Nokor Krao village, Kork Chak commune, Siem Reap. It is one of 102 ‘hospitals’ built during the reign of Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. The temple was built in the … Read more
Location of an ancient temple site that retains an outline of its original moat with an east-facing entrance and seemingly one solitary piece of sandstone placed in a contemporary shrine which is perhaps a remnant of the ancient temple that once stood at the site long ago. That said, it’s quite likely the base foundation … Read more
Also known as Kok Chak, a group of two brick temples aligned north-south and open to the east with sandstone door frames framed by octagonal columns. A side of each doorframe features short inscriptions that are registered under K 521. The site was originally surrounded by a moat (now dry). Recently, an APSARA team carried … Read more
An unnamed and uncleared site (recorded as Monument 58 in early French records) that is primarily constructed of laterite featuring a large prasat (or chedi) at its western end and then a porch that extends forward maybe 10-15 m. It appears to have featured sandstone dressing on the porch (or terrace), or perhaps it had … Read more
An uncleared site and unprepared for visitors. Located along the northeastern edge of the Beng Thom (a large basin) is a mostly continuous mound running east-west of almost 250 m in length and perhaps 30 m wide and several meters tall. On its northeastern end can be seen a laterite structure, a sandstone plinth, various … Read more
Phimeanakas (Khmer: ប្រាសាទភិមានអាកាស) is another of the grand pyramid-based state-temples that was the common archetype of the 8-11th century. Located inside the ancient Royal Palace of Angkor Thom, it is a grand three-tiered pyramid with a rectangular base whose corners are mounted with stone elephants and staircases flanked by lions which lead up to a … Read more
Bakheng Temple sits atop the 65m rise that carries the same name, Phnom Bakheng and looks across the plains below with Angkor Thom to its north and Angkor Wat to its southeast, both of which it predates by more than two centuries. It’s a monumental construction that followed the beliefs of the time and the … Read more
Prasat Bei (Khmer: ប្រាសាទបី, “three temples”) is located by the moat on the left before entering the South Gate of Angkor Thom. It is a temple with three brick towers in a north-south row, facing to the east, and standing on a laterite platform. The central tower contained a linga; the flanking towers reach no … Read more
One of the four prasats that sit at each corner of Angkor Thoms outer wall, this one is located on the northwest corner. You can walk to the site along the top of Angkor Thoms outer wall starting from either Angkor Thom’s north or west gate. The trail is suitable for walking and on foot … Read more
One of the four prasats that sit at each corner of Angkor Thoms outer wall. This one is located on the southwest corner. This is the perhaps most beautiful of all of the “prasat chrungs” and can be a popular spot mostly only known to locals. It offers beautiful views over the moat and a … Read more
To the west of Bayon, located at the functioning monastery of Preah Ang Kok Thlok is ‘Terrace S’ or the remnants thereof which now has a contemporary construction atop the ancient site. The site we see today carries on the traditional use of the ancient site, a vihara or prah vihar, that were noted as … Read more
Located just south of the Bayon Temple inside Angkor Thom, Preah En Tep was an ancient Buddhist Terrace that has been restored in recent times. As it is with other terraces of the type, it faces east and features a grand pedestal, or balang, at its western end. In this case, it supports a monumental … Read more
Located immediately west of the Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom, it’s a recently reconstructed ancient Buddhist terrace, demarcated by double sema while also featuring the remains of laterite chedi/reliquary on its western side. It remains a sacred site for locals who come to pray here. The remains of the laterite structure at the western end … Read more
Located just north of Bayon and featuring a monumental Buddha statue, it’s one of the many Buddhist terraces attributed to the post-Angkor period created using recycled masonry from prior ancient sites. It is a simple but large terrace, formed by a platform of laterite blocks recorded as 90 meters by 24 meters that rises around … Read more
Preah Palilay (Khmer: ប្រាសាទព្រះបាលិលេយ្យ) is a small but fascinating ancient temple located in Angkor Thom, only a short walk to the north-west of Terrace of Leper King and Tep Pranam. The site’s contemporary name, Preah Palilay, has the meaning Sacred Forest of Palilay whilst the original site name is unknown. At its eastern entrance it … Read more
A Buddhist Terrace with two tiers, the top tier reconstructed, featuring multiple bas-relief panels of garuda. Sixteen sema stones were found here, noted as being decorated with a bas-relief depicting a seated figure of Yama wearing a headdress with three points and holding a sword in his right hand. An inscription was also registered from … Read more
An uncleared site with scant remains of what was a small brick temple built on a foundation laterite (via Cisark). Two large pedestals can still be seen at the site, other sandstone remains, along with laterite blocks, and a red sandstone block. Gallery
Prasat Reach Chuntal is located in the central area of Siem Reap city, in the commune (now Sangkat) of Kok Chak. Surrounded by homes, it features large square laterite blocks, perhaps forming the basement of the temple that was seemingly largely built in brick according to the rubble seen at the site. There are traces … Read more
A group of two small brick temples aligned north-south and open to the east. The south tower built is built on a high base of bricks with a sandstone doorway topped with lintel having a representation of Indra on Airavata. It is preceded by a laterite path. The north tower has reduced to a mound … Read more
Also recorded as Run Trordev. Laterite construction featuring five arches that lead from the Boeung Thom basin through the wall of Angkor Thom and out to the moat. Near Prasat Chrung SW there is a short trail that leads from the southern wall down to the site.
Located between the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom and the Trapeang Don Meas (large basin) is a two-meter-wide, 3-4 m high and 400 m long laterite base and earthen covered wall. In early French notes, it’s described as likely being a defensive wall. In the notes written by Henri Marchal he describes there also being … Read more
A small brick temple built over a laterite base structure. Whilst there is not a lot to see with the main body of the tower no longer, it is still interesting, at least for temple geeks. The site opens with ascending stairs from the east and what would have been an unusual chambered style of … Read more
A small permanent basin 20 m x 20 m and 1-2 m deep (at a guess) lined with laterite and sandstone capping. Interestingly it is located atop what could be inferred as an island surrounded by canalisation. There are also odd pieces of stone around the southern side and 50 m to the southeast is … Read more
Ta Prohm Kel Temple (ប្រាសាទតាព្រហ្មកិល) is located near the main gate to Angkor Wat. Ta Prohm Kel was one of the 102 ‘hospital chapels’ built across the empire under the rule of king Jayavarman VII who reigned from 1181–1218 AD. Note: Not to be confused with the much larger Ta Prohm Temple. The sanctuary opened … Read more
Tep Pranam (Khmer: ប្រាសាទទេពប្រណម្យ), located inside Angkor Thom, is a “Buddhist terrace” featuring seated lions and naga balustrades with a giant seated Buddha. It is located just north of the Terrace of the Leper King. The terrace is typical of Buddhist Terrace constructions being low height, cruciform shape, and facing east. Preceded by an approx.. … Read more