Angkor Temple Guide Index | Siem Reap Cambodia

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Angkor/Siem Reap Province

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Temples of the Angkor Archaeological Park and Siem Reap Province

The following temple ruins are located in Siem Reap Province, most within the boundaries of the Angkor Archaeological Park near Siem Reap City. The temple sites with the Angkor Archaeological Park represent the ruins of the ancient Angkorian capital cities of the Khmer Empire (9th-13th century AD) and include the most famous Khmer temples including Angkor Wat and Bayon. In the list below click on the temple name for more information and photos.

Temple Ruin CLICK temple name for more information	Location	Date of Construction	King/Patron	Style
Ak Yum Very early ruins.	AAP - Near the West Baray	8th-11th century AD	---	---
Angkor Thom The walled city of Jayavarman VII.	AAP	12th-13th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Angkor Wat The centerpiece of Angkor.	AAP - 6km north of Siem Reap Town.	Early-Mid 12th century AD	Suryavarman II	Angkor Wat
Bakong Largest temple in the Roluos Group.	AAP - Roluos Group	Early 9th century AD	Indravarman	Preah Ko
Baksei Chamkrong Temple pyramid near the South Gate of Angkor Thom.	AAP/PC - Near the South Gate of Angkor Thom	Mid 10th century AD	Harshavarman	Bakheng
Banteay Kdei Monastic-complex.	AAP/GC	Late 12th - Early 13th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Angkor Wat/ Bayon
Banteay Prei	AAP/GC	Late 12th - Early 13th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Banteay Samre Distinctly Angkor Wat architectural style, but a lot fewer tourists.	AAP - 4km east of East Mebon	Mid 12th century AD	Suryavarman II	Angkor Wat
Banteay Srey Citadel of Women. Some of the most beautiful carvings at Angkor.	37km north of Siem Reap Town	Late 10th century AD	Rajendravarman	Banteay Srey
Baphuon Newly restored and reopened. Look for the reclining Buddha on the west side.	AAP/PC - Central Angkor Thom	Mid 11th century AD	Udayadityavarman II	Baphuon
Bat Chum Three well preserved prasats in a quiet area.	AAP/PC	Mid 10th century AD	Rajendravarman	Pre Rup
Bayon The Temple of Faces at the center of Angkor Thom.	AAP/PC - Central Angkor Thom	Late 12th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Beng Melea Jungle temple.		Early 11th century AD	Suryavarman II	Angkor Wat
Chapel of the Hospital One of more than 100 Angkorian 'hospitals.'	AAP/PC	Late 12th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Chau Say Tevoda Newly restored.	AAP/PC	Early 12th century AD	Suryavarman II	Angkor Wat
East Mebon Temple mountain.	AAP/GC	Late 10th century AD	Rajendravarman II	Pre Rup
Kbal Spean River carvings outside the park area.	49km north of Siem Reap Town	11th - 13th century AD
Kleangs (North and South) 'The Royal Storehouse'	AAP/PC - Central Angkor Thom	Late 10th - Early 11th century AD	Jayavarman V	Khleang
Krol Ko Quiet area.	AAP/GC	Late 12th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Krol Romeas Little more than a wall.	AAP/GC
Kutisvara Very early ruin.	AAP/GC	9th / 10th century AD	Jayavarman II	Preah Ko
Lolei Large brick prasats, good lintel carvings and an active pagoda.	AAP - Roluos Group	Late 9th century AD	Yasovarman I	Pre Rup/Bakheng
Neak Pean Full of interesting details: the different heads in each water inlet; the encoiled tails of the serpent; the statue of Balaha, a replica of which adorns the Siem Reap Airport.	AAP/GC	Late 12th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Phimeanakas Scalable temple pyramid in central Angkor Thom.	AAP/PC - Central Angkor Thom	Late 10th - Early 11th century AD	Jayavarman V	Khleang
Phnom Bakheng The traditional sunset hill, though very over-touristed at sunset these days.	AAP/PC - Near the South Gate of Angkor Thom	Late 9th - Early 10th century AD	Yasovarman I	Bakheng
Phnom Krom Hilltop prasats overlooking the Tonle Sap.	15km south of Siem Reap Town, near the Chong Khneas Port	Late 9th - Early 10th century AD	Yasovarman I	Bakheng
Phnom Kulen Where Angkor began.	50km north of Siem Reap Town	9th century AD	Jayavarman II	Kulen
Prasat Bei	AAP/PC - Near the South Gate of Angkor Thom	10th century AD	Yasovarman I	Bakheng
Prasat Kravan Impressive interior bas-reliefs. .	AAP/PC	Early 10th century AD	Harshavarman I	Pre Rup
Prasat Prei Quiet area.	AAP/GC	Late 12th - Early 13th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Prasat Suor Prat A dozen towers facing Terrace of the Elephants.	AAP/PC - Central Angkor Thom	Early 13th? century AD	Indravarman II	Post-Bayon
Prasat Top (East) A.k.a: 'Monument 487,' 'Mangalartha,' reputedly the last Bramanistic structure at Angkor built in the Angkorian age.	Angkor Thom	Late 13th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Prasat Top (West)	Angkor Thom	9th-17th century AD		Post-Bayon
Pre Rup Temple mountain. Good carvings.	AAP/GC	Late 10th century AD	Rajendravarman II	Pre Rup
Preah Khan Sprawling monastic-complex style temple.	AAP/GC	Late 12th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Preah Ko Temple of 'the Sacred Cow' at Roluos.	AAP - Roluos Group	Late 9th century AD	Indravarman I	Preah Ko
Preah Palilay Tower on a mound. Good carvings on the gopura.	AAP/PC - Central Angkor Thom	Late 12th - Early 13th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Preah Pithu Group Pleasantly untourists group of Hindu and Buddhist temple near Terrace of Elephants.	AAP/PC - Central Angkor Thom	Early 12th century AD	Suryavarman II
Roluos Group The first Angkorian capital city - Bakong, Preah Ko and Lolei.	AAP - Roluos Group	Late 9th century AD
Spean Thma Interesting to note how the river has changed course over the centuries.	AAP/PC
Srah Srang Royal baray. Good alternative sunrise/sunset location.	AAP/PC	Mid 10th and Late 12th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Ta Keo Big and kind of plain.	AAP/PC	Late 10th - Early 11th century AD	Jayavarman V	Khleang
Ta Nei Quiet location off the beaten path, but within the Angkor Park	AAP	Mid 12th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Ta Prohm The jungle temple. Sprawling monastic-complex, much of the original jungle overgrowth left in place. Classic 'giant tree on temple' shots.	AAP/PC	Mid 12th - Early 13th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Ta Prohm Kel Another of the small 'hospital' prasats, similar to Chapel of the Hospital.	AAP/PC - Opposite Angkor Wat	Late 12th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Ta Som Fantastic little monastic-complex, like a miniature Ta Prohm. Very photogenic our-face towers with trees.	AAP/GC	Late 12th century AD century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Tep Pranam Also the site of an active pagoda.	AAP/PC - Central Angkor Thom	9th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Terrace of the Elephants Elephants and garudas, lots of them.	AAP/PC - Central Angkor Thom	Late 12th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Terrace of the Leper King Deep, well-executed carvings.	AAP/PC - Central Angkor Thom	Late 12th century AD	Jayavarman VII	Bayon
Thma Bay Kaek	AAP/PC	Late 11th / early 12th century AD	Suryavarman II	Angkor Wat
Thommanon Picturesque little temple in very good condition. Whether wet or dry, the stone picks up colors beautifully. Photogenic.	AAP/PC	Late 11th - Early 12th century AD	Suryavarman II	Angkor Wat
Wat Athvea Distinctively Angkor Wat style temple in a countryside setting no far from town.	8km south of Siem Reap Town.	Late 11th century AD	Suryavarman II	Angkor Wat
West Mebon Remnants of an island temple in the middle of the west baray.	AAP - On an island in the center of the West Baray	Late 11th century AD	Udayadityavarman VII	Baphuon

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Temples of

Kampong Thom Province

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The following temple ruins are located in Kampong Thom Province in central western Cambodia. Kampong Thom Province borders Siem Reap province to the east and harbors one on the most important ancient Khmer temple complexes outside of the Angkor Archaeological Park (i.e. Sambor Prei Kuk) as well as dozens of minor ruins. The road from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (National Route #6) passes through Kampong Thom Province and within easy visiting distance of Sambor Prei Kuk and several of the minor ruins that lie just off the road. If you have the opportunity to take some sort of private transportation between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh such as motorcycle or private taxi it is possible to stop briefly and visit several ruins along the way.

Ruin	Location	Date of Construction	King/Patron	Style
Phum Prasat	Kampong Thom province	7th century AD	Suryavarman I	--
Prasat Andet	Kampong Thom province	6th-7th century AD	---	---
Prasat Kuhak Nokor Peaceful setting.	Kampong Thom province	11th century AD	--	--
Prasat Poo-Wee-Ung	Kampong Thom province	7th century AD	--	--
Prasat Preah Te-it a.k.a. 'The Leaning tower of Kampong Thom'	Kampong Thom province	Pre-Angkorian		--
Sambor Prei Kuk Extensive, archaeologically important temple complex.	Kampong Thom province	7th century AD	Isanavarman I	Sambor Prei Kuk

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Temples of

Takeo Province

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The following temple ruins are located in Takeo Province south of Phnom Penh, within a day-trip's distance. The pre-Angkorian and Angkorian-era temple ruins in Takeo Province, though not as impressive as the temples near Siem Reap, rank amongst the most historically and archaeologically important Khmer ruins in Cambodia. Most of the listed temple ruins can also be reached by bus. Regularly scheduled buses depart the bus station near Phnom Penh’s Central Market and follow the National Routes into the provinces. Most of the listed sites lie on or near a National Route. For sites located away from the National Route, onward transportation awaits bus passengers at the bus stops. See the Temple Ruins Near Phnom Penh Map for Takeo province temples.

Ruin	Location	Date of Construction	King/Patron	Style
Angkor Borei	Takeo Province	Neolithic - 15th century AD	---	---
Phnom Chisor	Takeo Province, just off Route #2	10th-11th century AD	Suryavarman I	--
Phnom Da	Takeo Province	Mid-11th century AD	Rudravarman	--
Prasat Neang Khmau	Takeo Province, just off Route #2	10th century AD	Jayavarman IV	--
Ta Prohm at Tonle Bati	Takeo Province, at Tonle Bati resort area	12th century AD	Jayavarman VII	--
Yeah Peau	Takeo Province, at Tonle Bati resort area	12th century AD	Jayavarman VII	--

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Temples of

Preah Vihear Province

The following temple ruins are located in Preah Vihear Province, the province bordering Siem Reap Province to the northwest. The Angkorian-era temple ruins of Preah Vihear rank among some of the more important and impressive outside of the Angkor Park area in Siem Reap. The temple complex at Koh Ker, for example, encompasses more than a dozen temples and represents the remnants of a rival capital city from the Age of Angkor. And the Preah Vihear Temple on the Thai border - the center of recent political controversy - displays a unique artistic style and stands with a commanding view of the Cambodian plain. Some of the temple ruins of Preah Vihear are comparatively easy to reach, such as Koh Ker which is within half-day trip. Others such as the remote Preah Khan at Kampong Svay requires significant more time and effort to reach.

Ruin	Location	Date of Construction	King/Patron	Style
Koh Ker Extensive, archaeologically important temple complex.	Preah Vihear province, within 1h.30m driving distance of Siem Reap. Province	10th century AD	Jayavarman IV	---
Preah Khan at Kampong Svay (Bakan)	Preah Vihear province	11th - late 12th century	Suryavarman I & II and Jayavarman VII	--
Preah Vihear Unique ruins with a spectacular view of the Cambodian plain.	Preah Vihear province near the border with Thailand	Late 9th - mid- 12th centuries AD	Yasovarman I and Suryavarman I & II	--

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Temples of

Kampot Province

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Ruin

Location

Date of Construction

King/Patron

Style

Phnom Chhnork

Pre-Angkorian ruin in a cave.

Kampot province, east of Kampot town, between Kampot and Kep.

7th century AD

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Glossary (Back to top)

Anastylosis Archaeological technique used in reconstructing the temples ruins by dismantling and then rebuilding. This technique was used on Banteay Samre, Prasat Kravan, Thommanon and many other temples.

Angkor Angkor refers to the capital city of the Khmer Empire that existed in the area of Cambodia between the 9th and 12th centuries CE, as well as to the empire itself.

Apsara Mythological a celestial nymph. Devatas (standing female divinities), though technically different, are also referred to as apsaras in this guide. Carved in abundance on many of the temples.

Banteay (Khmer) 'fortress' or 'citadel'. Though not a technical designation, it often indicates a monastic complex or flat temple style.

Baray (Khmer) A ‘baray’ is a water reservoir - an area of land where dikes have been raised to catch and hold water. Beginning in the 9th century, the construction of massive barays and other such grand projects became one of the marks of Angkorian kingship. There are four major barays in the Park area. When the barays were constructed, an island temple was set at the center of each. The first major baray to be constructed was Indratataka by King Yasovarman I, measuring 3.8km x 880m and completed in 889AD when the capital was still at Hariharalaya near Roluos. The Roluos Group temple Lolei sat on an island in the middle of Indratataka. Construction of the second major baray, the East Baray (Yashodharatataka,) began almost immediately after the first. At 7.8km x 880m it was almost five times larger than the Indratataka. Almost 50 years later, the temple East Mebon was constructed on an island in the center. The third and largest baray (8km x 2.2km) is the West Baray built in the early 11th century. Unlike the other barays, the West Baray is still partially filled, creating good sized lake. The temple ruins of West Mebon sit on an artificial island at the center of the baray (requiring a short boat ride to visit.) The last baray (Jayatataka) was constructed by Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. It is considered to be the baray of Preah Khan though it is Neak Pean that actually sits at the center. The function of barays is a matter of academic debate. A recent study has argued that the barays did not serve an agricultural purpose but were built and maintained solely for political/religious reasons. Conventional wisdom has it that the barays were part of a giant water works used to irrigate the rice paddies and provide water for year round cultivation, though they certainly served a political and religious function as well.

Boeung (Khmer) 'lake'. Also spelled ‘beng’.

Champa Neighboring Indianised state, contemporary with Angkor. Located in the area of south central Vietnam.

Corbel arch False arch made from placing tiered, progressively projecting corbels on opposite walls. Used throughout Angkorian era construction.

Gopura The entrance-way or gate in the wall that surrounds a temple.

Khmer The dominant ethnic group and the language of ancient and modern Cambodia.

Linga A phallic symbol, representative of the god Shiva.

Lintel The sandstone block above doorways and windows, often intricately carved.

Monastic complex General term referring to a temple that has a relatively flat, sometimes sprawling architectural layout. It may employ towers, but set at ground level, e.g.: Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei.

Naga Mythological, multi-headed snake/serpent. Naga motifs are often used in balustrades.

Phnom (Khmer) 'hill' or 'mountain'.

Prasat (Khmer) 'tower'.

Preah (Khmer) 'sacred'.

Reamker Khmer telling of the Ramayana, a classic and much loved epic tale from Hindu mythology - the adventures of Rama in his quest to save his kidnapped wife, Sita, from Ravana. Images from the Ramayana are carved on many temples including Angkor Wat, and traditional dance performances in Siem Reap often incorporate stories from the Ramayana.

Shiva One of the three primary gods of the Hindu trinity. The ‘destroyer’. Central to the Angkor royal linga cult. Often represented in the form of a linga.
Stele Inscribed stone tablet.

Stung (Khmer) 'river'

Temple-mountain A specific architectural design based on the mythological mountain, Mt. Meru. Eg: Pre Rup, Ta Keo, Bakong.

Thom (Khmer) 'big,' e.g. Angkor Thom

-varman (Khmer) ‘protected by’. The suffix attached to the names of Khmer kings, e.g.: Suryavarman, Jayavarman.

Vihear (Khmer) Main temple building of a Buddhist pagoda or temple group. Houses the Buddha image.

Vishnu One of the three primary gods of the Hindu trinity. The ‘protector’.