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Visit Angkor Wat?
Read this Siem Reap temple guide to find out everything you need to know when visiting the temples at Angkor.
The ancient Khmer people were prolific builders and built thousands of temples during their reign as rulers of a vast empire. Most people know about Angkor Wat and a few of the other popular temples such as Bayon and Ta Prohm. What they don’t know is that there are many temples to visit in the Siem Reap province, and neighbouring provinces in Cambodia. This Siem Reap temple guide will help you get the most out of your visit to temple town.
Angkor Archaeological Park
The Angkor Archaeological Park, sometimes known as the “Angkor Park”, is where most of the main temples in Siem Reap are situated. For more information about individual temples in Siem Reap province, we have an alphabetical list below.
Practical Information
You’ll need a ticket to enter the Angkor Park and they are sold at the ticket office along the way into the temple complex. There are also a set of rules which are designed to protect the temples and help all visitors enjoy their stay in Siem Reap.
Click the icon or text for more information about the Angkor Archaeological Park.
List of Temples in Siem Reap
Here is a complete list of all the temples you can see in Siem Reap province in alphabetical Order. Although many of the temples visitors want to see were built in what is today called Siem Reap province, there are Khmer temples all over Cambodia and also in the neighbouring countries. The ancient Khmer empire used to cover much of Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
This Siem Reap Temple Guide contains information about everything you need to know to enjoy you visit and make the most out of your time in temple town. Each individual guide contains details about the history, location, facts, map, structure and layout of each temple. Happy reading!
Ak Yum temple is one of the earliest temples with inscriptions dating back from the 7th century under King Jayavarman. It’s thought that it was partially buried by the construction of the West Baray reservoir in the 11th century.
Angkor Thom translates as the “Great City” and was once the capital city of the Khmer empire. The city contains some of the most popular temples including Bayon, Phimeanakas, Baphuon and other major sites popular with visitors.
Angkor Wat temple is the main reason why most people visit Siem Reap. It was constructed by King Suryavarman II in the 12th century. Originally a Hindu temple, it was later transformed into a Buddhist temple.
Bakong temple is one of the four temples which make up the Roluos Group of temples. It was the first temple mountain built in the late 9th century and was the official state temple of Indravarman in the capital city Hariharalaya.
This 10th century temple is located near the South Gate of Angkor Thom. It is a pyramid style temple and like many temples in the area, it was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple was completed in 948 AD by King Rajendravarman II.
Banteay Kdei means the “Citadel of Chambers” and was another temple built by the prolific Jayavarman VII in the 12th century. It’s located near to Ta Prohm and Srah Srang and is one of the more popular temples on the tourist trail.
Banteay Prei is another temple built by King Jayavarman VII in the 12th century. It isn’t as big as the other nearby temples and is mostly in ruins. But it’s worth a visit because it is quieter than other nearby temples in the region.
Banteay Samre is instantly recognisable as a smaller version of Angkor Wat. It is a Hindu temple built by King Yasovarman II in the early part of the 12th century. Not much is known about this fascinating temple, but it’s worth visiting and exploring.
Banteay Srei translates as the “Citadel of the Women” – it’s thought that the carvings are so fine that they could only have been carved by the hands of a woman. The pink sandstone and well-preserved carvings make for a fascinating visit.
Baphuon is a multi-tiered temple mountain built by King Udayadityavarman II and was dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva. It was later converted into a Buddhist temple and a 70m long reclining Buddha was added in the late 15th century.
Bat Chum temple was built in the 10th century. It’s located a few hundred metres away from Srah Srang. Unusually, it wasn’t constructed by a king, instead it was built by a Buddhist minister called Kavindrarimathana.
Bayon is one of the most popular temples in the Angkor complex. It’s where you’ll see the famous faces of King Jayavarman II looking down at you from the towers of this magnificent temple and it’s definitely not a temple to be missed.
Beng Mealea is known as the “Jungle Temple”. It’s been mostly left unrestored and lays in ruins. This charming temple is surrounded by thick jungle and it’s not as busy as the other temples. You can explore and enjoy the open spaces.
The Angkor kings built many hospitals. These hospitals no longer exist because they were made with perishable materials. However, many of the chapels built for the hospitals do exist, like this one which is located near to Ta Keo temple.
Chau Say Tevoda is another Hindu temple built in the middle part of the 12th century. According to the sculptures and inscriptions found here, it was built by King Dharanindravarman who was the father of the prolific King Jayavarman VII.
East Mebon is a 10th century temple built by King Rajendravarman. Here you’ll see the elephant guardians which sit on each corner of the lower terrace. It used to stand on an artificial island in the middle of the East Baray, which is now dry.
It’s not known what the purpose of the Khleangs were for. They are located near the Royal Square in Angkor Thom. It’s thought that they were used as reception areas for visitors, although this cannot be confirmed.
Krol Ko is another structure built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. It was built in the Bayon style and is often overlooked by visitors. It’s a small temple, but worth a stop along the way to it’s larger neighbour, Neak Pean.
Krol Romeas is located just outside of the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Not much is known about this structure. There is a circular stone wall around the outside and it’s clearly not a temple. But historians can’t agree on what it was used for.
Kutisvara is a small temple with three temples which lay in various states of ruin. It is thought to have been built in the 9th century by King Jayavarman II, but not much is known about this construction. The towers have long since collapsed.
Lolei is another temple which forms part of the Roluos group and the ancient city of Hariharalaya which was the Angkorian capital city before it moved to Angkor Thom. It was built in the late 9th century before Angkor Wat.
Neak Pean translates as “the entwined serpents” and is an artificial island in the middle of the Preah Khan Baray. It is yet another temple built by the prolific King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. It’s thought to represent Anavatapta.
Phimeanakas is known as the “celestial temple” in English. It’s a Hindu temple and according to legend it’s thought that the king used to spend every night with a woman who represented a Naga. If he didn’t, calamity would strike the land.
Phnom Bakeng is the most popular spot to see the sun setting over the towers of Angkor Wat and the jungles surrounding the vast temple. Before the sun sets, you can explore this beautiful 9th century Hindu and Buddhist temple.
Phnom Krom is situated around 12km outside of Siem Reap on the banks of the Tonle Sap lake. At the top of the moutain, you can visit Prasat Phnom Krom which is a 9th century Hindu shrine dedicated to the gods Brahma, Vishu and Shiva.
Bei means “three” in English and Prasat Bei translates as “temple three”. There are, funnily enough, three brick towers which sit on top of a laterite platform. Not much is known about this mysterious construction and is often overlooked by visitors.
Prasat Kravan is another early temple built in the early 10th century. It was dedicated to Vishnu and is located just to the south of Srah Srang. There is a small moat surrounding it and the bas-reliefs depict both the Hindu gods Lakshmi and Vishnu.
Prasat Prei is a small temple located near Neak Pean temple. It’s been left largely in ruins and is rarely visited by tourists. It is a peaceful place and few carvings can still be seen. This is yet another temple built by King Jayavarman VII in the 12th or 13th century.
Prasat Suor Prat is a series of 12 towers which are located near the Royal Square in Angkor Thom. Their original function is unknown. Some the temples are in danger of collapsing and aren’t open for tourists to visit. They are a nice area to stop for a picnic.
Prasat Top (East) is also known as Mangalartha and it’s located in the ancient city of Angkor Thom. It’s a few hundred metres from the Victory Gate. It’s a tiny Hindu temple built during the reign of King Jayavarman VIII. It’s a small shrine and overgrown.
This is another tiny structure, again located inside Angkor Thom. It was built in the 13th century, but the materials date back from the 10th and 11th centuries. These materials were recycled from from a previous structure. This is a Buddhist temple.
Pre Rup is a large and popular Hindu temple built by King Rajendravarman in the mid 10th century. The name translates to “turn the body” and it’s thought it was used for funerals with the ashes being rotated as the funeral service progressed.
Preah Khan is a 12th century temple built by King Jayavarman VII in honour of his father. It’s located inside Angkor Thom and was once home to nearly 100,000 officials and their servants. Today, Preah Khan is a popular temple for visitors.
Preah Ko was the first temple built in Hariharalaya, the capital city of the Khmer empire. It was built in the late 9th century. Nowadays, Preah Ko makes up the group of temples known as the Roluos group, about 15km outside Siem Reap.
Preah Palilay is also located inside Angkor Thom. It’s a small Buddhist sanctuary just a few hundred metres from Phimeanakas. Although small, it’s a charming temple and often a quick stop for most visitors exploring the ancient city of Angkor Thom.
Preah Pithu group is a group of five temples located inside Angkor Thom. They weren’t originally built as a group and were completed at different times. All the temples are in poor condition, but they do have interesting carvings.
The Roluos Group is located about 15km outside of Siem Reap and is made up of three main temples (Bakong, Lolei, and Preah Ko) and one smaller temple (Prasat Prei Monti). They were once the capital of the Khmer empire.
Spean Thma is a bridge of stone located near Ta Keo temple. It’s one of the few bridges which has survived. This name means “Stone Bridge” and it connected Angkor Thom and the Eastern Baray.
Srah Srang is a large reservoir located near Banteay Kdei temple. The reservoir is 700m by 350m. It was dug out in the 10th century and it’s a popular place for tourists looking to see the sunset.
Ta Keo was the first temple to be built completely from sandstone. It was used as the state temple by King Jayavarman V and is surrounded by a moat which symbolises Mount Meru, the home of the Hindu gods.
Ta Nei is yet another temple built by the prolific Jayavarman VII temple. It’s located near the East Baray and is a Buddhist temple. This 12th century temple was later enlarged and contained unfinished city walls, much like Ta Prohm temple.
Ta Prohm temple is one of the most famous temples in Siem Reap. It’s known as the “Tomb Raider” temple as it was used as the backdrop for the famous Lara Croft movie. Tourists flock to see the temple with the jungle growing through the middle of the structure.
Ta Prohm Kel is a small 12th century hospital chapel built by King Jayavarman VII. It was built in the style of Bayon and had fake doors on three sides of the building. The one entrance opens to the east. Ta Prohm Kel was built from sandstone.
Ta Som was also built by King Jayavarman VII in the 12th century. It’s located just outside of Angkor Thom and was dedicated to the King’s father, Dharanindravarman II. The temple has been left largely unrestored and the jungle is literally growing right through the ruins.
Tep Pranam is located inside Angkor Thom nearby the Terrace of the Leper King and the Royal palace. It contains a large seated Buddha which locals still use to worship to this day. It’s a small temple, and often overlooked by many visitors to the great temples.
The Terrace of the Elephants gets its name from the carvings of elephants along the walls. It was used as a platform to view the returning victorious armies by King Jayavarman VII. The 350m long terrace is one of the most popular places to visit in the park.
The Leper King Terrace gets its name from a 15th century sculpture of Yama. The moss growing on the sculpture resembles a person with leprosy. The original name of the terrace isn’t known and it’s thought it was originally used as a royal cremation site.
All what is left of Thma Bay Kaek is some small ruins. This temple was once a Hindu temple built by King Yasovarman I in the style of Bakheng. It’s often used as a quick stop on the Small or Big Circuit tour as it’s just outside the Angkor Thom South Gate.
Thommanon is a Hindu temple built by Suryavarman II. It’s a small temple and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple was dedicated to both Shiva and Vishnu. It’s thought that the temple was built around the same time as when Angkor Wat was started.
Wat Athvea is a Hindu temple built in the 12th century. It’s located just outside of Siem reap along the road leading to the Tonle Sap Lake. It was built by King Suryavarman II, who was responsible for building the famous Angkor Wat temple. Not many guests come here.
West Mebon is located in the centre of West Baray which was the largest reservoir built during the Khmer empire. The the dry season it is accessible by land. In the wet season, the baray fills up with water and the temple becomes an island only accessible by boat.
Siem Reap Temple Guide
Here at Just Siem Reap, we’ve worked hard to create this Siem Reap temple guide to help you make informed decisions about each temple during your stay in town. There are many temples to see and it can sometimes be difficult to decide.
Of course, you’ll want to see see the most popular temples including Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm and other famous temples. What you won’t know is that there is so much more to see in Siem Reap than just these three! Hopefully, this guide will go some way to help you know what you can see when you’re in Siem Reap.
Each individual guide offers information which you should find helpful including some basic facts, how to find the temple, a map, reasons to visit, history, layout and structure, and information about tours. With 51 temples listed, this is a complete guide to the temples in Siem Reap.
Please Note
Although we have made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this Siem Reap temple guide is complete and correct, we are human and do make mistakes. If you notice any problems, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be more than happy to investigate.
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Tour Guides
Although the information here will help you guide yourself around the temples, there is no substitute for a real tour guide. Moreover, a tour guide can give you the personal touch which this guide can’t give you. We are more than happy to answer your questions and help you to understand about the temples in Siem Reap, but you might want to consider hiring a guide for your trip. If you need a guide, you can take look at our tour page where we can provide tours with a guide and transport.
