The penultimate feature of the great temple of Angkor Wat, the third level, or Bakan, is the enormous thirty-meter high substructure that supports the amazing quincunx of towers. It rises 30 meters with sloping sides featuring narrow stepped staircases at each corner and a central staircase on its western side. Today you can reach the … Read more
Located on the second level of Angkor Wat, Preah Poan (cruciform gallery) is a sacred and significant place within the massive ancient temple. You can also see it noted as Brah Ban, Prah Pan, Preah Pean, or more commonly the English translation being Hall of a Thousand Buddhas. Here we will cover just that cruciform … Read more
Here we’ll introduce the many inscriptions at Angkor Wat, and, where to see them. Angkor Wat features a large array of fascinating and often hidden inscriptions that were, surprisingly to some, left mostly during the later eras and in the post-Angkor era. Some of the inscriptions are left by royalty who returned to Angkor around … Read more
Here we will cover each of the bas-relief scenes in the outer gallery of Angkor Wat, where they are located, a brief guide to the interpretation, and several curiosities that shouldn’t be missed. Undoubtedly, one of the most celebrated features of Angkor Wat is the incredible bas-relief friezes that line the inner walls of the … Read more
Angkor Wat has four gopura (entry gates) each located at cardinal points while only the west and east gates have causeways crossing the moat. The western entrance is the main and grandest entrance of all. See here for the complete guide to Angkor Wat, and here we’ll continue on with the moat and outer gopura … Read more
An as yet unprepared site for visitors (05/2021). The site was originally noted by Henri Marchal back in the 1900s as group of two sites, Terrace B and this one, B2. Both are related to Theravadan Buddhism that became predominant in the post God-King era/late Angkor period. The site, overgrown, features a tall stepped structure, … Read more
Remnants of a tall earthen wall with a laterite substructure that connects in between Angkor Thom and the East Baray. Running parallel on the northern side is a modern laid dirt trail and a canal that connects into the moat of Angkor Thom. It may have also spawned a bridge at its western end while … Read more
Located inside the outer enclosure of Ta Prohm and preceding the first moat on the eastern side is a single sandstone building which is referred to as a Firehouse, or in some literature as a Dharmasala. In either respect, these firehouses were an important feature along the ancient royal road network. This particular one being … Read more
A ruinous and uncleared site that is believed to be a “Buddhist Terrace”. Brickwork, laterite, and sandstone can be seen along with remnants of a stone garuda and sandstone pedestals. Gallery
An uncleared and partially excavated site, now overgrown, where several pedestals can be seen, some molded sandstone plinths, and sema stone featuring the god Yama (God of Death/Justice and the Underworld). While the site as we see it today is believed to be the remnants of a Buddhist Terrace of the late or post-Angkor period, … Read more
A ruinous, overgrown, and uncleared site that is believed to be a “Buddhist Terrace”. The only remains to be seen at ground level are that of a sandstone pedestal and several sandstone plinths. Gallery
A small “Buddhist Terrace” that has been recently reconstructed featuring a modern Buddha statue. Surrounded by the double sema stones of the original site. Gallery
A small “Buddhist Terrace” currently unrestored and constructed of brick and laterite, and surrounded by double sema stones. It appears to be around 20 m long with the demarcated area a little larger, while the central “shrine” is only a meter or so square and a meter and a half tall albeit in a state … Read more
An uncleared and overgrown site (05/2021) that is around 20 m x 20 m and surrounded by a moat (dry). Partial excavations at some time in the past have revealed the small laterite base structure and several sandstone pieces including a decayed pedestal and decayed yoni with spout along with brick rubble. Gallery
An uncleared site with a mound measuring around 35 x 35 m surrounded by a moat (dry) with a causeway at each cardinal point. The mound is currently (05/2021) occupied mostly by a large fallen tree without any structure seen remaining. Broken brick and sandstone can be seen along with a small piece of a … Read more
An overgrown and uncleared site featuring a 50 x 50 m mound that rises several meters with scattered sandstone remains, and an excavated area (some time ago) showing what may be the temple construction. Some remains feature carvings albeit quite small and very decayed. Gallery
A high set 50 x 50 m mound that opens to the east and surrounded by a moat. Scant remains can be seen at ground level bar what appears to be a very eroded pedestal and sandstone plinths. It is speculated to be from the 9th century. Gallery
An overgrown site with scant remains including brick pieces, sandstone plinths, and laterite blocks. Gallery
Area just north of the Phnom Bakheng east-west featuring laterite remains with basins to the east and west. In early 2020 it was an open archeological site and by mid-2020 it had been covered over once more. Gallery
Location where the feet of a statue, a very decayed pedestal (similar style to the one seen to the north here), pottery shards, along with some other remains can be seen including a fire pit made of mortar which is likely very recent. The site appears to be a raised mound of around 40 m … Read more
A high set mound around 50 m x 50 m surrounded by a moat with brick and sandstone remains. Gallery
An uncleared site mostly in ruin that has a small structure about with only the base remaining, several sandstone plinths, and shaped pieces. Gallery The base structure is about 10 m square with unique molding in sandstone atop a core of laterite and located at the western end of the site, it is surrounded by … Read more
An unnamed sited where only scant remnants remain. The site is positioned on a mound that appears to have been surrounded by basins. Several pieces of sandstone can be seen at the site although, the most interesting is a small pedestal that features an unusual ornate design. It is located east of Angkor Thom’s Gate … Read more
This group of terrace ruins, located in the SE quadrant of Angkor Thom are currently uncleared and not yet suitable for visiting. The group here comprises four terraces and several basins, one named the Rong Damrei. More to follow soon Gallery 1 Gallery 2 Gallery 3 Gallery 4 Gallery 5 Map Note: sites are spread … Read more
An uncleared site located in the scrub of Angkor Thom. Terrace C, a name used in early French maps from the 1900s, is located immediately west of a small basin known as the Trapeang Rondas Thlong. Covered in overgrowth, the east-west axis of the terrace can be noted, laterite blocks that lead down to the … Read more
Also known as Monument 36. A site as yet to be prepared for visitors. Located in the northeast quadrant of Angkor Thom and referred to as Terrace B in French maps from the 1900s, the overgrown site features the remains of perhaps two terraces very near to each other, this one Terrace B, and nearby … Read more
