Khmer Temples

The main evidence for the Khmer architecture, and ultimately for the Khmer civilization, however, remains the religious buildings, considerable in number and extremely varied in size. They were destined for the immortal Gods, and as they were built of the durable materials of brick, laterite and sandstone, many have survived to the present day. They were usually surrounded by enclosures to protect them from evil powers, but confusion has often arisen as to which is a temple enclosure and which is that of the town of which the temple was a part.

Angkor Wat
It was built in the first half of the 12th century AD, for Vishnu-God. It is the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor Park. It covers an area of about 82 hectares and, it is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. It is the largest religious building in the world. It stands on a high rectangular sandstone base with three levels which use as the base of the five towers. It is the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Its 5 towers symbolize the mythical Mount Meru’s five peaks. The surrounding rectangular laterite wall represents the range of mountains at the edge of the cosmic world and the man-made lake, the cosmic oceans beyond.

Bayon temple 
It is the favorite temple of the most visitors, because it is famous for its four smiling stone faces. It is a 12th-13th century Buddhist temple which stood on a high sandstone base with 3 levels. It located in the heart centre of Angkor Thom City. It stands as a symbol of the whole Khmer Empire and, its 54 towers including 5 gates of Angkor Thom symbolize the provinces of the kingdom or the portraits of sovereign. The exterior walls have extensive bas-reliefs wrap around it creating intricate and fascinating story lines.

Ta Prohm temple
It is one of the area’s most beautiful temples. It has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retained much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of the Angkor group, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of explorers first stumbled upon them.

 Banteay Srei
The brilliant beauty and enchantment of Banteay Srei is nearly everyone’s favorite temple. The special charm of this small temple lies in its remarkable state of preservation and excellence is of decoration. It is a Hindu temple which dating from the mid 10th century. It was built of selected hard-pink sandstone comprising three towers which stood on side-by-side on a common low base.

Angkor Thom City 
It was the last capital of the Khmer empire and use as a fortified city surrounded by a strong square laterite-wall, 3 kilometers for each side, was built in its present from by Angkor greatest builder king Jayavarman VII. The city has 5 monumental gates, each one of which is 3 meters wide by 23 meters high and crowned by four gargantuan sculpted faces 3 meters high of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara represented to the four Buddhist Nobel truth like: (charity, compassion, sympathy and equanimity) or four cardinal directions. It occupied an area of about 900 hectares included Baphuon, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of Leper King, Sour Proat, khleang, Preah Pithu Group, Tepranam…

Preah Khan “The Sacred Sword” 
It is an extensive monastic complex covering over 56 hectares built by the great Angkor Thom constructor, king JayavarmanVII, as a monastery and teaching complex. It is the historical site of the World Monuments Fund “prime” Asian project a painstaking renovation while maintaining its mysterious allures and superb original structure.

Baphuon Temple
“North of the Golden Tower (Bayon) at a distance of about 200 meters; raises the Tower of Bronze, higher even than the Golden Tower: a truly astonishing spectacle, with more than ten chambers at its base.” Said, the Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan. It would have been one of the most spectacular of Angkor’s temples in its heyday. It located about 200 meters north-west of Bayon; it is a pyramidal representation of mythical Mt. Meru. The construction probably began in the reign of king Suryavarman I, and later completed by Udayadityavarman II, (1050-1066). It marked the centre of the city YasodharapuraII that existed before the construction of Angkor Thom City.

Neak pean temple
Date late 12th century, religion Buddhism, king Jayavarman VII, art-style Bayon. It is a small man-made island temple which located in the middle of the last Baray called Jayatataka to be constructed by a famous Angkor constructor, king Jayavarman VII. It has only one sandstone tower which sits on a circular base in the centre of the main pool that symbolizes the Anavatapata Lake in the Himalayas, situated at the top of the Universe, which gives birth to the 4 great rivers of the earth presented at Neak Pean. It originally known as Raja-srei, Neak pean takes its modern appellation, which means “coiled serpents” from the on coiled Nagas that encircled the temple. It dedicated to Buddha, Neak pean contains several Buddha images. It may have served as an ablution place, and the water was originally to have healing sickness.

Beng Mealea Temple
It is an untouched ruinous temple which is about some 80 kilometers from Siem Reap. It is one of the major monuments of the classical period in the style of Angkor Wat, Mid of the 12th century AD. It was left in the tropical rain forest for almost eight hundred of years, with the spread of vegetation including the silk-cotton trees and strangler figs. An exploring to this titanic temple is Angkor’s ultimate Indiana Jones experience. In 1961 it was rediscovered by Japanese man. It is a short temple which had one tower on a low base, and surrounded by a moat 900 meters wide by 1200 meters long and 45 meters wide. There are three concentric walls, each one of which set back slightly to the west, with the central shrine at the intersection of the axes. It is one of the most mysterious temples at Angkor, as nature has well and truly run riot here.

Kulen Mountain “496m”
It is an interesting place which located in Svay Leu and Varin districts, about some 53 kilometers from Siem Reap and about 25 kilometers from Banteay Srei Temple. Phnom Kulen, original called Mount. Mahendraparvata is the holy mountain where, when king Jayavarman II (802-850) proclaimed independence from the Java ruler in 802, giving birth to modern-day Cambodia. Soon after the holy religious God-Ceremony, the king Jayavarman II moved his capital from Kulen to Hari-Haralaya, known today as Rolous where it was to remain for almost a century before moving it to the Angkor Area. There are more than 20 minor temples are found around the plateau, including hundreds of Shiva-Lingas stand in the Siem Reap river-bed rock carvings include in numerable scores of Yonis and Lingas that sit on the bottom of a stream from which water flows all year round .
Water-Fall: is an attractive spot so as to cool off after explorations. It has two levels; the first level is 4-6 meters high and 10-15 meters wide, depending on whether it is the dry or rainy season. The second level is 15-20 meters high and 6-8 meters wide, depending on the season. Near the top of the water fall is a jungle.  Clad temple known as Prasat Kraol Romeas temple, dating from the 9th AD. 
Srah Damrey or Elephant Pond: is a collection of giant stone animals or guardians of Kulen Mountain. 
Terrace of Leper King or Preah Learn Sdech Kumlung: is a smooth, volcanic terrace. Based on the rocks they were found, scientists believe the site might have been a volcano millions of years ago.

Preah Ang Thom
It is located on the mountain top, and it attracts the Khmer pilgrims during the religious festivals. It was a small Wat, which housed a huge 16th-century Reclining Buddha carved into the sandstone boulder. The statue is 7.5 meters tall and 9 meters long. The site also offers spectacular views across the lush jungle. The local people worship this site because they believe the site holds great power. It is close to Chhat Ruot, a multi-layered umbrella, a Preah Bath Choan Tuk, footprint of Buddha, and Peung Chhat, Peung Eyso and Peung Eysey, over-hanging rocks.The most important of which is Prasat Rong Chen, the first pyramid temple-mountain to be constructed in the Angkor area.These temples are difficult to get to because they lie scattered across the mountain top, with the route passing through mined sections of mountain and the trail impossible in the wet season. Before the construction of the private road up Phnom Kulen, visitors had to scale the mountain and then walk across the top of the plateau to the reclining Buddha.

Kbal Spean
It was constructed in the 11th century in the reign of king Suryavarman I and his son, king Udayadityavarman II.
Kbal Spean is a spectacularly-carved riverbed; set deep in the jungle to the north-west of Angkor Area. More commonly referred to in English as “the River of a thousand Lingas,” the name actually means (bridge head) a reference to the natural rock bridge at the site. Shiva-Lingas have been elaborately carved into the riverbed, and images of Hindu deities are dotted about the area. It was left in the jungle for centuries ago and re-discovered in 1969, when EFEO ethnologist Jean Boulbet was shown the area by a local hermit; the area was soon off-limits due to the civil war, only becoming safe again in 1998. Now it is roped off to protect the carvings from further damage. Kbal Spean is about 50 kilometers from Siem Reap or about 15 kilometers beyond the Temple of Banteay Srei. A visit to Kbal Spean can be combined with a visit Banteay Srei. It is a 45-minutes walk to the carvings through the steamy forest and some curious rocks formations. It is best to try to visit it between September and December, at other times of the year the river rapidly dries up. The access to the trail is not permitted after 3: 30 PM.
The food and drink are available at the base of the trail.

Terrace of the Elephants
It is located in the area Angkor Thom Complex which dating from the reign of king Jayavarman VII end of the 12th -beginning of the 13th century AD. It is about 15 meters wide by 350 meters long and 3 meters high with stone floor and stairs. It is the place for the ancient monarch so as to view the military rehearsal and celebrations, as well as the royal reception halls….etc.

Terrace of Leper King
It was built in the late 12th to the beginning of 13th century AD, which dating from the reign of king Jayavarman VII. It is in the shape of a square base is of 25 meters for each side and 7 meters high. It was engulfed by 2 walls of sandstone bas-reliefs, mainly kings in ceremonial parade, sword in hand and surrounded by their courts and favorites. It may have served as the royal crematorium or royal court house of the king JayavarmanVII.

Phimeanakas Temple “Aerial palace”
Phimeanakas, located inside the Royal Palace Compound, was the temple where the king worshipped. It was built from 10th to the beginning of 11th century by several kings. It must originally have been crowned with a golden pinnacle, as Zhou Daguan described it as “The Tower of Gold.” It was a pyramidal temple mountain which stood on a high rectangular laterite base with three levels and a single tower on its top. It resembles those of the Maya Temples at Tikal, Guatemala.

Takeo Temple
It was built in the late 10th-early 11th century by king Jayavarman V and SuryavarmanI. It was consecrated to Shiva-God. It was a pyramidal temple-mountain which stood on a high base with 5 levels supported the 5 square sandstone towers. It symbolized the golden mountain which used as “The Head Quarter of the Justice of the Mandarins.”

Pre Rup Temple
Pre Rup temple is about one kilometer north-east of Srah Srang and about 500 meters south of the East Baray. It was erected in the year of 961 AD during the reign of king Rajendravarman II, dedicating to the Shiva-God and his ancestors. It is a pyramid temple-mountain which stands on a high base with three narrow tiers serves as a pedestal for 5 brick towers, which are set in quincunx-arrangement. The brick towers were originally once decorated with a plaster coating, fragments of which still remain on the towers. Pre Rup was used as the state temple of the king Rajendravarman II. The temple is close in style to the East Mebon, although it was built several years later. It was built after the Khmer capital was returned to Angkor after a period of political upheaval when the capital had been moved to Koh Ker. Pre Rup means “Turning the Body” and refers to a traditional method of cremation in which a corpse’s outline is traced in the cinders, first in one direction and then in the other, this suggests that the temple may have served as an early royal crematorium. This is one of the most popular sunset spots around Angkor, as the view over the surrounding rice fields of the Eastern Baray is beautiful.

East Mebon Temple
The huge East Baray, Yosodaratataka (1.8 kilometers wide by 7 kilometers long) that engulfs East Mebon temple, was built about half a century earlier than the temple, by King YasovarmanI. The temple stands on what was once an island in the Eastern Baray, and was built by Rajendravarman II in the mid of 10th century as a shrine to his ancestors and temple’s divinity Rajendresvara was dedicated on Friday 28 January 953 at about 11 AM. It was once a large temple-mountain-like ruin, rising three levels and crowned by 5 brick towers, which are arranged in quincunx-arrangement.

Bakheng  
It located about 400 meters south of Angkor Thom City and 1300 meters north-west of Angkor Wat. The main attraction of the Phnom Bakheng is the sunset view of Angkor Wat. Phnom Bakheng is also home to the first of the temple-mountain built in the vicinity of Angkor. King Jasovarman I 889-910 built Phnom Bakheng as his state temple which located in the centre of his capital, Yasodharapura. It is a pyramid temple which stands on a five-tiered base. At the base there are 44 brick towers. Each of the 5 tiers had 12 sandstne towers. The summit of the temple has 4 towers at the cardinal points of the compass as well as a central sanctuary. A total number of towers excluding the central tower are 108, a particularly auspicious number and one that correlates to the lunar calendar. The India calendar with its 4 phases, each of 27 moonrises gives the number 108.

Baksei Chamkrong
It is located about 150 meters north of Phnom Bakheng. A towering 12-meter tall brick tower and a laterite pyramid base with four narrow tiers. It was constructed in the reign of King HarshavarmanI (910-944) in the mid of 10th century AD and completed by King Rajendravarman II (944-968), shortly after the capital was returned to Angkor from Koh Kher. According to the inscriptions on the door-way, King Rajendravarman II consecrated the temple with the installation of a Golden Shiva image in 947 AD. It may have served as the funerary temple. On the altar there is a reclining statue of Buddha from a latter period.

Ta som Temple
It was built in the late 12th-early 13thcentury by the famous King JayavarmanVII. It is a classic Bayon-style monastic complex consisting of a tower, which stood on a ground level. It is a small, tranquil temple and affords a delightful undisturbed visit. A significant feature of Ta som Temple is the growth of a huge fig tree on the east gate, which can provide a dramatic example of nature and art entwined together.

Banteay Kdei Temple
Banteay Kdei, a massive Buddhist monastery from the later12th-13th century AD, it is surrounded by four concentric laterite walls. The temple is similar in art and architecture to that of Ta prohm, but it is smaller and less complex. It is considerably less busy than nearby Ta prohm temple and this alone can justify a visit.

Srah Srong
It is locally known as the King’s Bath or Monk’s Bath. It is a large man-made body of water which is 300 meters wide by 700 meters long. It also offers a beautiful, tranquil resting place, especially in the soft light of the sunset. It was dug during the reign of king RajendravarmanII, in 10th century and JayavarmanVII late 12th-13th century AD. A tiny sandstone chapel in the centre once bore a wooden roof, of which only the stone base remains.

Tanei Temple
It was built in the early 12th century under the reign of King JayavarmanVII. It located in the Angkor forest, about one kilometer east of Ta keo Temple, reached by small car or footpath. It is such as a small-quiet Buddhist temple, which affords a delightful visit of its original state.

Suor Proat
A group of twelve small laterite towers, dating from the reign of king Jayavarman VII, the end of the 12th-beginning of the 13th century AD, stand facing the Terrace of the Elephants, at the edge of the jungle on the east side of the Victory Gate. To the local people, however, they were known as Prasat Sour Proat, “the towers of the tight rope walkers,” because the performers stretched their high wires between them. However, a Chinese Diplomat Zhou Daguan stated that “the towers were places where justice was dispensed.”

Kravan Temple
It located between the 7th and 8th kilometer stone and on little circuit. Kravan, a shrine to Vishnu-God, is one of the last large brick buildings in Angkor and still belongs to the artistic trend that began in the reign of King HarshavarmanI 10th century 921.It consists a group of five large brick towers stand on side-by-side on a low brick base. The interior of two of the five towers have sculptures depicting Vishnu and his consort, Lakshmi.

Phnom Krom Temple
Phnom Krom is a 137 meters high hill which located about 12 kilometers south-west of Siem Reap at the northern end of the Tonle Sap Lake. It situated dramatically on the hill top, it was built in the late 9th to early10th century by King YasovarmanI 889-910. It consisted of a group of three sandstone towers dedicated to the Hindu Trinity Gods: (Brahma-Vishnu and Shiva). It is in relatively poor condition, and sits next to an active Pagoda on the hilltop. A wonderful view of the Lake and the surrounding countryside are visible from the hilltop. An outing to the Phnom Krom is sometimes combined with a boat trip on the Lake.

Krol Ko Temple “The shed of oxen”
Krol KO temple is located north of Neak Pean about 900 meters off the right side of the road. It was built in the late12thcentury by King JayavarmanVII. The main points of interest of this temple are the pediments and lintels with ornate carvings lying on the ground. It is a small, single temple which has a central tower stood on a cross-shaped terrace and surrounded by laterite walls.

Wat Athvear Temple
It located south-west of Siem Reap town about some 7 kilometers, 300 meters off the main road from town to the Tonle Sap Lake. This temple was probably constructed from late11th century under the reign of King SuryavarmanII, dedicating to Hinduism. It bears no inscriptions to allow precise dating, but it seems to have been constructed employing Angkor Wat architectural style. It is a kind of short temple, which stands on a low common sandstone base and one tower on top. It originally oriented to the west. This temple seems to have been left unfinished as evidenced in part by the lack of carvings, especially some Apsaras dancers were abandoned half finished. It is small, quiet temple which can afford a delightful undisturbed visit.

Thommanon Temple
This minor but elegant temple, situated just off the Victory Gate a short distance east of Angkor Thom, is immediately recognizable as being of the period of Angkor Wat from the late 11th-early 12th century. It is a Hinduism temple which dedicating to Vishnu-God.

Preah Palilay

It is one of most atmospheric temples in Angkor Thom, located about 200 meters north of royal enclosure and west of Tep Pranam. It was erected during the rule of King JayavarmanVII, and originally housed a Buddha, which has long since vanished. It is a pyramid-temple which stands on a high rectangular sandstone base with three levels intercepted by stairs on each side. There are several enormous trees looming large over the central tower, which make for a fine photo.

Tep Pranam
Tep Pranam, a 34 meters wide by 82 meters long cruciform Buddhist terrace, 150 meters east of Preah Palilay, was once the base of a pagoda of lightweight construction associated with king YasovarmanI in the late 9thcentury.Some constructions dating from 12th-13thcentury in the reign of king JayavarmanVII. It once housed a large seated statue of Buddha on a lotus sandstone pedestal which can still be seen to-day.

Preah Pithu Group
The five small sandstone shrines are scattered in a random fashion over rough terrain and are badly damaged. All of the shrines are square with false-doors, stand on a raised platform and are oriented to the east. Some temples were dated from the12th in the reign of King SuryavarmanII and other temples were erected by king Jayavarman VII.

Khleangs “North and South”
Along the east side of the central square are two groups of buildings, the north & south Khleangs. These two sandstone temples were built in the late10th-11thcentury by the kings JayavarmanV & SuryavarmanI. The temples are similar in time, layout, style and decoration; although inscriptions say that the South Khleang was built slightly later than the North one. Some historians believe that the buildings have been reception halls for receiving the foreign dignitaries.

The Rolous Group
It located about some 15 kilometers south-east of Siem Reap town “20 minutes”. The Rolous group is a collection of monuments representing the remains of Hari-Haralaya, the first major capital of the Angkor Ian Khmer Empire. It has become known as the “Rolous Group” due to its proximity to the modern town of Rolous. The ancient capital was named for Hari-Hara, a synthesis of the Hindu Gods, Shiva &Vishnu. Though there was an exciting settlement in the area before the rise of Angkor, Hari-Haralaya was established as a capital city by king JayavarmanII and served as the Khmer capital for over 70 years under four successive kings. The structures of the Rolous Group are distinguished by tall, square-shaped brick towers on low base, except Bakong Temple which is the temple-mountain. They all open to the east, with false-doors on the other three sides. The first great Khmer Temples are Preah KO, Bakong and Lolei belonging to the important Rolous Group have similar characteristics of architecture, decoration, materials and construction methods, which combine to reveal the beginning of the classic period of the Khmer Art. The last king at Hari-Haralaya, YasovarmanI, built the first major temple at Angkor, Mt. Bakheng, and moved the capital to Bakheng area in 905.

Preah KO Temple “Sacred Bull”
It located at Rolous Group and lies half way between Lolei and Bakong. The temple was built in 9thcentury 879 by King Indravarman I 877-889. It consisted of a group of 6 brick towers stood on a low base and arranged in two rows, the front and the back rows. They were dedicating to the memory of some royal ancestors, the front towers for the paternal ancestors or Gods and the three behind for maternal ancestors or Goddess.
Each of the six towers was originally covered with elaborate coating of stucco. It was one of the first major temples of the empire at the early Khmer capital of Hari-Haralaya.

Bakong Temple
Bakong is the state temple of IndravarmanI 877-889 at Hari-Haralaya, the capital utilized by JayavarmanII just before he removed his capital, Mahendraparvata down from Kulen Mountain in 850. Bakong was the most impressive and significant temple mountain at Rolous group, sitting at the centre of the first Angkor Ian capital named Hari-Haralaya. It has one tower stands on a high sandstone pyramid base with the 5 levels which symbolizes M.t-Meru, and the temple was dedicated to Shiva-God. The 5 levels leading to the central sanctuary extend the symbolism, and correspond to the worlds of mythical beings: Nagas, Garudas, Rakshasas, Yakshas and Maharajas. The temple is enclosed within three separate concentric walls and a moat. There are well-preserved statues of stone elephants on each corner of the first three levels of the central temple. There are 12 shrines on the fourth level. The sanctuary on the fifth level was a later addition during the reign of King SuryavarmanII, in the style of Angkor Wat’s tower.

Lolei Temple
Lolei temple is located north of the main road in the centre of Baray, named Indratataka close to a modern Buddhist temple. The temple was built in the late 9th in 893 by King Yasovarman I, dedicating to Shiva-God and in memory of the king’s father. Lolei is worth a visit; just for its exquisite carvings and inscriptions which some consider being the finest of the Rolous Group. It consisted of a group of four brick towers, an almost exact replica of the towers of Preah KO were built on a man-made island in the centre of a large reservoir, now it dries up. According to one of the inscriptions, the four towers were dedicated by king Yasovarman I to his parents and maternal grand parents. It was the last major temple built at Rolous before Yasovarman I moved the capital to Angkor area.

AK Yum Temple
Ak Yum temple is located southern end of the dyke of West Baray. The temple was built in 7th and 9thcentury AD. The inscriptions found on the pillars give the date of A.D 609-704 and1001. The evidence of a Shiva-Linga and some sacred depository bronze statues of Hindu Gods and Lokesvara, Maitreya have also been found here. During the construction of the West Baray around 11thcentury, this site was particularly buried by the south levee. Akyum was of great historical interest, being the earliest known temple mountain stood on a three-narrow pyramid base and enclosed by a brick wall. The monument was built of brick with sandstone bay. Four shrines occupied the corners of the second tier and two others stood on each side, making a total of 12 shrines. The central tower was on the upper-most tier and opened to the east with false-doors on the other 3 sides.

West Baray
The West Baray, measuring an incredible 2.2 km by 8 km, was excavated by hand to provide water for the intensive cultivation of lands around Angkor. There are four major Barays in Angkor Complex. The first major Baray to be constructed was Indratataka by IndravarmanI, measuring 800 m by 3800 m at Rolous Group. The second Baray, Yasodharatataka which began almost immediately after the first Baray. It is 1.8 km by 7 km; it was almost five times larger than Indratataka. The third Baray, Udayadityatataka was which known to-day as Western Baray. The last Baray, Jayatataka 900 m by 3500 m was constructed by King JayavarmanVII in the late 12thcentury. It is considered to be the Baray of Preah Khan though it is Neak Pean that actually sits at the centre. The Western Mebon is accessible by boat from the dam on the southern shore. Today, this vast rectangular man-made Lake becomes the main local swimming pool for local people and visitors. It was constructed in the reign of King Suryavarman I, and completed in the reign of King Udayadityavarman II in the early 11thcentury AD.

West Mebon Temple
Mebon temple is located in the middle of West Baray on an island about 12 kilometers north-west of Siem Reap. West Mebon Temple is in poor condition, consisting primarily of a single wall 100 meters for each side with 3 entry gates displaying some carvings in fair condition. The carvings exhibit some of the first examples of carvings of animals in natural, non mythical scenes, reminiscent of carving on Baphuon. West Mebon may have originally housed a renowned bronze Vishnu statue which is now held at the National Museum in Phnom Penh.

Kutisvara
Now in ruins, this small brick temple consists of three towers is of more historical interest than architectural. It is buried in vegetation and difficult to find it. It was constructed in the reign of King JayavarmanII in 9thcentury. An inscription found on a stone re-used for the building of Banteay kdei next door mentions a dedication to Shiva and the erection of two statues, of Vishnu and Brahma, by Shiva-Carya, one of Rajendravarman II’s priests in the 10thcentury AD.

Batchum Temple
Batchum temple is located about 300 meters south of Srah Srong. It is accessible along the straight road which located north of Kravan village. It consists of a group of three brick towers stand on side-by-side on a low base opening to the east. The temple was built by a Buddhist Minister Kavindra-rimathana, who built Rajendravarman II’s Royal palace. According to the inscription written in 953 AD, the temple was originally called Saok Takrum dedicating to Buddhism.

Koh Ker Group
It geographically located in Srayong Cheng village, Srayong commune and Kulen district. The temple complex at Koh Kher, northeast of Siem Reap, represents the remnants of the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire from 928 AD. It was a unique period in the age of Angkor. Just a few decades after the establishment at Angkor, there was a disruption in the royal succession for reasons that remain a matter of academic debate. What is known is that in 928 AD, King Jayavarman IV, possibly a usurper to the throne, created a new rival capital about some 100 kilometers away at Koh Kher. Obviously a king of much wealth and power, he raised an impressive royal city at Koh Kher of Brahmanic monuments, so far more than a hundred temples and Prasats surrounding a huge Baray, Rahal. Jayavarman IV reigned at Koh Kher for 20 years before he died in 941 A.D. His son Hashavarman II (941-944) would remain at Koh Kher for another 3 years before returning the capital back to the Angkor area. The monuments of Koh Kher are now on a road loop around the Baray past the most important temples. The premier ruin of the complex is Prasat Thom, an imposing 7-tierred pyramid and temple complex. There are some several nicely preserved ruins sit just off the road, impressive prasats and small temples complex such as Prasat Pram, Prasat Neang khmau, Linga-pura, Prasat Chreng, Prasat Damrei...etc.  There are also dozens of other, more remote ruins in the area. To-day, many of them are no longer standing, and some are buried in the ground.

Banteay Samre temple “The Citadel of Samre”
It is about 20 kilometers from Siem Reap province, 500 meters southeast of East Baray, about 2 kilometers from Preah Dak village. Banteay Samre temple dated from the same period as Angkor Wat and was built by SuryavarmanII 1113-1150, dedicating to Vishnu. Banteay Samre is one of the most complete complex at Angkor due to restoration (1936-1944) by the French Team using the method of Anastylosis work, although its isolation has resulted in some looting during the past two decades. The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people, who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to Khmers. It is believed that some people living in the preah Dak village are descendents of Samre. The plan is roughly square and surrounded by two concentric laterite walls, each one of which has 4 gates. The central courtyard contains the main sanctuary, which has four wings and is approached by a long hall opening to the east with two libraries on each side open to the west side. The style of tower and Naga balustrade bear strong resemblance to the towers of Angkor Wat and even more similar to Khmer temple of Phimai in Thailand. Many of the carvings are in excellent condition.

Prasat Bei Temple
It is located north-west of Baksei Chamkrong and west of Thma Bay Kaek about 175 meters. Prasat Bei means “three towers” made of brick stand on a north-south row, facing east
and on a 10 m by 24 m laterite-base. It was probably constructed in the10thcentury AD under the reign of King YasovarmanI. The central tower contained a Shiva-Linga; the flanking towers reach no higher than the doorways. Only the lintels of the central and southern towers were carved, both towers showing Indra-God on the elephant Airavana.

Thma Bay Kaek
It stands in Angkor Complex near the south gate of Angkor Thom and north of Basei Chamkrong about 125 meters. This temple was made of brick in the 10thcentury in the reign of king YasovarmanI to worship Shiva. A sacred treasure consisting of five gold leaves arranged in a quincunx, the central leaf carrying the image of Nan din, Shiva’s bull was found here.

Ta prohm Kel Temple
Ta prohm Kel is located on the way from Angkor Wat to Angkor Thom, about 200 meters from the west entry gate of Angkor Wat. It is a single small sandstone tower which sits on a low base opening to the east. This temple was built in the late 12th century, during the reign of king JayavarmanVII. According to an inscription found in 1928, one of the 102 hospitals built by king Jayavarman VII throughout the Kingdom.    It has similar design and state of ruin to the chapel of the hospital near Takeo Temple. The Buddhist themed carving on the northern pediment is in fair condition and displays marks of vandalism characteristic of the 13thcentury Hinduism resurgence. The coarsely rendered carvings on the interior of the temple are probably from a much latter period

Spean Thma Bridge “stone bridge”
It is about 100 meters west of Takeo Temple. It is a bridge constructed of reused blocks of sandstone of varying shapes and sizes, which suggests it was built to replace an earlier bridge. It is supported on massive pillars, the opening between them spanned by narrow corbelled arches. Reportedly, there are traces of 14 arches. It is a remnant of an ancient bridge over the Siem Reap River.

Prasat Preah Inkosei
It is situated in Siem Reap, east of Siem Reap Conservation D’Angkor. It is actually located in the Preah Inkosei Buddhist Monastery. It is a Hindu temple which consists of a group of three brick towers stand on side-by-side on a low laterite-base opening to the east, sunrise. To-day, only two brick towers are still remaining intact, but another tower was completely demolished down. The temple was probably constructed at the same period as Kravan, Batchum which dating from mid 10thcentury by a Brahman priest named Tivea Karabhota. The carving of the lintel basically depicts the legend of Hindu god Vishnu, especially “The Churning the Ocean of Milk.”

Tonle Sap Lake
It’s the largest fresh water lake in South-east Asia, also the lifeblood of the Cambodian fishing industry. It derives from Mekong River which is one of the longest rivers in Asia, flowing 4500 kilometers from the M.t Himalayas of Tibet China. It has an elevation of about 5000 meters running through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. The Mekong River, from as a far away as Phnom Penh, reverses the direction of the Tonle Sap river to bring an overflow of water and silt to support both rice growing and breeding fish of many sizes and varieties. Hopping on board a small shaded vessel and moving between the floating homes, schools, shops and small fish farms, you will experience close up, daily lake life.

Floating village of Chong Kneas
This famous floating village is now extremely popular with visitors wanting a break from the temples, and is an easy enough excursion for them. It is near Phnom Krom mountain where the boat docks. It is very scenic in the warm light of the early morning or late afternoon and can be combined with a view of the sunset from the hilltop temple of Phnom Krom. The village moves depending on the season and you will need to rent a boat to get around it properly. This trip takes time for 40 minutes.

Bird Sanctuary & Biosphere of Prek Toal
It is one of the three biospheres on Tonle Sap Lake, and the establishment of its bird sanctuary that makes Prek Toal the most worthwhile and straightforward to visit. It is an ornithologist’s fantasy, with a significant number of rare breeds gathered in one small area, including the huge, lesser and greater adjutant storks, the milky stork and the spot-billed pelican, flamingo, cormorant, water-hen, teal…etc. Visitors during the dry season December-May will find the concentration of birds like something out of a Hitchcock film. As water starts to dry up elsewhere, the birds congregate here. Serious twitches know that the best time to see birds is early morning or late afternoon. This excursion takes time for more than one hour.

Flooded Forest of Kompong Phhluk
More memorable than Chong Kneas, but also much harder to reach, is the flooded forest, alongside another worldly village built up on stilts. The flooded forest is inundated every year when the Lake rises to take the Mekong’s overflow, and as the lake drops the petrified trees are revealed. Exploring this area by wooden dugout is very atmospheric. Further inland from the lake is the village of Kompong Phhluk itself, where most of the houses are built up on stilts of about 6-7 meters in height, looking like it has come straight out of a film set.

Golf
Phukeetra Country Club Siem Reap is the first international-standard golf course. There are 18 holes, 72 par golf course spread over 155 hectares and stretching 6.53kilometers. A combination of grasses allows for all year round golf. Putting green, pitching area, driving range, pro-shop and restaurant.

Horse back riding

The happy Ranch is an international standard horse-yard and riding school offering trail rides (1-4 hours) horse-cart rides and riding lessons for children and adults.

 Cambodian Cultural Village
A unique, sprawling cultural attraction, intended to introduce the visitor to Cambodian culture and history. Interesting wax museum features, scenes and figures from history. Large park area with 1/20th scale models of important cultural sites and landmarks such as Phsar Thmey and the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, the hills and temples of Oudong. Full scale model of a variety of Cambodian architectural types, including different styles of huts and homes, hill tribes houses, pagoda, and mosque. Live shows, traditional dance performances and music. The traditional Khmer wedding shows twice per day. Entrance fee: $ 12. It opens from 9:00 am-9:00 pm.

Elephant Rides
During the day, rid able elephants await the customers near Bayon and the south gate of Angkor Thom. In the evenings, elephants are stationed at the base of Phnom Bakheng, ready to transport riders up to the hill for sunset. It takes time for 25 minutes.



Balloon Rides
Take a tethered helium balloon ride 200 meters straight up for an amazing aerial view of Angkor wat, Phnom Bakheng, and West Baray and surrounding countryside area. It is based about 1 kilometer west of Angkor wat Temple.

Helicopter Rides

Helicopter Cambodia is a Newzealand owned operation based at Siem Reap Airport, offering scenic flights around the Angkor temples as well as specialized temple tours aerial filming, photography, charters and more.
www.helicopterscambodia.com
Sokha Helicopters www.sokhahelicopters.com