Skip to content
Facebook-f Twitter Pinterest Instagram Youtube
  • Home
  • Temple Guide
  • Things To Do
    • Tours
    • Attractions
  • Shopping
    • Local Markets
    • Night Markets
    • Malls and Shopping Centres
Menu
  • Home
  • Temple Guide
  • Things To Do
    • Tours
    • Attractions
  • Shopping
    • Local Markets
    • Night Markets
    • Malls and Shopping Centres

Ak Yum Temple Guide

Home > Temple Guide > Ak Yum

Page Navigation

  • Facts
  • Location
  • Tours
  • Accommodation
  • Why Visit?
  • History
  • Layout & Design
  • Gallery
Menu
  • Facts
  • Location
  • Tours
  • Accommodation
  • Why Visit?
  • History
  • Layout & Design
  • Gallery

Ak Yum temple is historically important because it is one of the earliest known examples of Khmer architecture and thought to be the first built in the “Temple Mountain” style.

Nowadays, AK Yum lays in ruins and is rarely visited by tourists as there isn’t much left to see.

Often visitors will also visit West Baray on the same tour because Ak Yum is located on the shore of West Baray. You can enjoy looking around the temple ruins, then relax in a hammock, eat some BBQ and go for a swim.

This area is very popular with both Cambodian and foreign visitors.

Temple Facts

Date:

Unknown, thought to be late 7th or early 8th century

Religion:

Hinduism

Built By:

Jayavarman I (unconfirmed)

Dedicated To:

Gambhiresvara

Style:

Temple Mountain

Best Time to Visit:

Anytime

Length of Visit:

15 - 30 minutes

Temple Pass:

Not Required

More information about the Angkor Temple Pass.

Ak Yum Temple Guide

Location

Ak Yum is located on the south west side of West Baray. Head out on National Road 6 towards Battambang for around 7 kilometres.

Turn right onto the road for West Baray and then left just before you reach the reservoir and follow the road for around 1km.

There are is only a small sign pointing the way and it’s easy to drive past the site. If you get to a parking area next to where visitors sit in huts on the water front, then you’ve gone too far.

Getting There

As Ak Yum is only around 11km from Siem Reap, there are many transport options available. Tuk tuks will have no problem reaching the temple and it’s also possible to cycle there. There is good access for taxis and minivans but buses would struggle.

However, the temple is a very obscure temple and not often visited, so many local drivers may not know where the site is located.

Coordinates

13.424697, 103.776818

Distances

Siem Reap: 11km

Angkor Wat: 13km

Angkor Silk Farm: 7.3km

West Baray: 100m

Book a Tour Today
Speak to a professional tour guide and arrange the perfect itinerary just for you. Click here to see all our options.
Best Prices

Tours

Ak Yum is now just a small pile of stones and doesn’t attract many visitors. Moreover, you will only want to explore and take photos of the site for a short time, around 15-30 minute.

The temple also doesn’t require a temple pass so most people will stop to see it on their way to something else in the area such as West Baray. All tour guides and drivers will be able to take you to the site or you can even make your own way there from Siem Reap town.

Accommodation

Most visitors to Ak Yum temple will stay in Siem Reap town. Ak Yum is only 11km away from the town center and easily reached in around 20-30 minutes.

Siem Reap has a range of accommodation options available including guest houses, hostels, homestays, resorts, and big hotels. You’ll definitely find something within your taste and budget in town.

Booking.com

Why Visit Ak Yum?

Although there isn’t much to see at Ak Yum, you might still want to visit. It has historical significance because it was the first temple built during the Angkor empire. It mostly lays in ruins today and there isn’t much to see.

It’s located right next to West Baray, so you probably wouldn’t come just to see Ak Yum, but you can stop by when visiting the baray.

Finally, it’s the only temple which doesn’t require an Angkor Pass to visit.

History

It’s not known who built Ak Yum temple, but one inscription contains the year 674 AD which would have been King Jayavarman I. It’s thought the construction of the temple was extended in the 9th century, by King Jayavarman II.

In the 11th Century, the West Baray reservoir was built and Ak Yum temple was partially submerged by a dike in the southern side. In 1932, Ak Yum was excavated by George Trouvé, a French Archaeologist. Since this time, the site has been left to ruins and is rarely visited.

Book a Tour Today
Speak to a professional tour guide and arrange the perfect itinerary just for you. Click here to see all our options.
Best Prices

Layout and Design

For serious enthusiasts, Prasat Ak Yum is a must-see temple because it was the first temple to be built in the “Temple Mountain” style.

Many Khmer temples have adopted a similar style such as Bakheng, Baphuon, and Angkor Wat. There are many stones with inscriptions which have been found dated from the 7th to the 11th centuries. One inscription shows that Ak Yum was dedicated to Gambhiresvara who is the “God of the Depths”.

There is a single chamber sanctuary built from brick which researchers believe was constructed in the 8th century. In the 9th century, it’s believed that King Jayavarman II remade a larger tiered pyramid structure with a base of around 100m square.

Today, there isn’t much left to see in the area and only a few small pieces of the temple remain. A number of bronze statues have been found here. Both Hindu and Buddhist statues have been found depicting various gods.

Gallery

Pile of Stones at Ak Yum
Ak Yum Temple Sign
Ak Yum Temple Ruins
All what's left at Ak Yum
Tree at Ak Yum
Inside Ak Yum Temple

Did you find this Temple Guide helpful? Please share!

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on google
Google+
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

Other Temples

Ak Yum
Angkor Thom
Angkor Wat
Bakong
Baksei Chamkrong
Banteay Kdei
Banteay Prei
Banteay Samre
Banteay Srei
Baphuon
Bat Chum
Bayon
Beng Mealea

Chapel of the Hospital
Chau Say Tevoda
East Mebon
Khleangs (North and South)
Krol Ko
Krol Romeas
Kutisvara
Lolei
Neak Pean
Phimeanakas
Phnom Bakheng
Phnom Krom
Prasat Bei

Prasat Kravan
Prasat Prei
Prasat Suor Prat
Prasat Top (East)
Prasat Top (West)
Pre Rup
Preah Khan
Preah Ko
Preah Palilay
Preah Pithu Group
Roluos Group
Spean Thma
Srah Srang

Ta Keo
Ta Nei
Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm Kel
Ta Som
Tep Pranam
Terrace of the Elephants
Terrace of the Leper King
Thma Bay Kaek
Thommanon
Wat Athvea
West Mebon

  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Copyright Notice
  • Cookies Policy
  • Privacy Policy
Menu
  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Copyright Notice
  • Cookies Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2018 – All Rights Reserved – JUSTSIEMREAP.COM

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Buffer