Sambor Prei Kuk, about 20 km north of the provincial capital Kampong Thom, is the most ancient archaeological area of Southeast Asia that can be called a temple town. Definitely, it is the most important excavation from the pre-Ankorian Chenla period. The original power centre of the Chenla era had been the Mekong valley between […]
King Rajendravarman, who engineered the return of the capital from Koh Ker to Angkor (Yashodhara), founded Pre Rup in 961 AD. Constructed in brick and laterite, this temple was constructed slightly after the Mebon that is emplaced at the centre of the Eastern Baray and erected by the same king. Both Pre Rup and the
Five hundred meters north of the Pre Rup temple, there once existed a large expanse of water known as the Eastern Baray. Measuring two kilometers north-south and seven kilometers east-west, it is enclosed by an earth embankment and identified as the ‘Eastern Lake’ by Zhou Daguan in the 13th century and the ‘Yasodharatataka’ mentioned in
Built by Jayavarman VII before the end of the 12th century, this monument – Neak Pean or the entwined naga – is an artificial island, measuring 350 meters on each side, built in the middle of a reservoir which is also man made. The modern name, Neak Pean, comes from the motif of serpents encircling
Srah Srang was dug in the 10th century by a Buddhist minister of King Rajendravarman II called Kavindrarimathana. King Jayavavarman VII modified the reservoir in the early part of the 13th century.It’s likely that the reservoir would have been abandoned with other temples in the region around the 16th century.The area was cleared in the
Not much is known about this terrace and what it was used for. What is known is that it was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. It’s believed that it was used as a royal cremation site, but this can’t be confirmed.Features were added to the terrace at later times. When
The Terrace of the Elephants was constructed in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. The original structure was used as a viewing platform for the king to welcome home his victorious armies from battles. Not much is known about the terrace except that it was originally made from organic material. This has long
The Phimeanakas temple is one of the earliest temples constructed in the area that would go on to serve future generations of kings as the Royal Palace up until the mid-15th century at least. Phimeanakas temple can be dated by its inscription, one providing a date of early 10th century, but some prefer to date
Angkor Thom was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. It was the centre of a huge building programme instigated by the King. However, King Jayavarman VII didn’t build the first structures found at Angkor Thom; some structures were built a few centuries before. Angkor Thom overlaps part of the previous capital
Unless you are a Cambodian resident, an admission pass, often called Angkor Pass, is required to visit the temples in Angkor Archaeological Park. The Angkor Pass is also valid for some other monuments in the Siem Reap area, like Phnom Krom, Wat Athvea, Kbal Spean, Beng Mealea and the Roluos Group. Where to Buy the Angkor Pass? The Angkor Pass can