Top 10 Must-Visit Temples in Siem Reap

With hundreds of temples scattered throughout the entire Angkor World Heritage Site in Siem Reap, you can only prioritize a few of the most stunning temples to admire.

Angkor Wat, also known as the Temple of the Sun, and Angkor Thom, the Temple of the Serene King, stand as some of the most significant landmarks in Cambodia, regarded as the pinnacle of Khmer art and architecture.

1. Angkor Wat Temple

Angkor Wat is the most beautiful, largest, and situated in the most picturesque location among all the temples in Angkor. Built under the reign of King Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat represents the zenith of Khmer architecture. The temple is renowned for its long corridors adorned with hundreds of bas-reliefs depicting Hindu epics along with thousands of exquisite Apsara dancer statues.

2. Bayon Temple

Located within the Angkor Thom complex, Bayon temple is remembered for its hundreds of exquisite four-faced statues. Built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, Bayon is the only national temple in Angkor primarily dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism, specifically to worship the Buddha. After the death of King Jayavarman, Bayon underwent renovations by Indian priests.

3. Ta Keo Temple

Constructed from green sandstone, Ta Keo temple stands as the only unfinished temple in Angkor Thom. Built by King Jayavarman V, son of Rajendravarman, when he was 17 years old, it was intended for the worship of the god Shiva. However, the temple was never completed due to the king's demise.

4. Ta Prohm Temple

Established in 1186, Ta Prohm is a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of King Jayavarman VII. It is one of the few temples in Angkor with evidence providing insights into the temple's inhabitants. The temple once housed over 12,500 people. Following the fall of the Khmer Empire in the 15th century, the temple was abandoned. The overgrown roots entwining the walls create a mystical and unique ambiance for the temple.

5. Banteay Kdei Temple

Adjacent to Ta Prohm is Banteay Kdei temple, known as the 'citadel of the Buddhist monks', a Buddhist monastery in Angkor. The temple was constructed in the early 13th century during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. This Buddhist monastery is now largely in ruins due to construction flaws and the poor quality of sandstone.

6. Pre Rup Temple

Resembling a smaller version of Angkor Wat with its three central towers, Pre Rup temple is built of gray sandstone, less durable than the pink sandstone of some other temples in Angkor. The temple was used as a crematorium for the royal lineage.

7. Preah Khan Temple

As one of the largest temples in Angkor, this was the temple King Jayavarma VII built to honor his father, Dharanindr, and also served as his temporary residence while Angkor Thom was under construction. The temple is surrounded by a wall, and various structures are connected by two cruciform terraces dividing the temple into four sections. At the end of each terrace is a temple gateway with two giant standing statues guarding.

8. Phnom Bakheng Temple

The Hindu temple was constructed in the late 9th century and served as the architectural centerpiece of a new capital under the reign of King Yasovarman. The temple faces east within a pyramid consisting of six tiers. Upon completion, Phnom Bakheng had 108 small towers surrounding the temple on the ground and on the tiers.

9. Banteay Srei Temple

Located about 30 km from Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei is an unmissable temple in Angkor. This temple, known for its delicate and charming features, was built to worship the Hindu deity Shiva. Banteay Srei, or the 'temple of women', is a masterpiece of stone carving art on pink sandstone and red laterite.

10. Preah Palilay Temple

Preah Palilay is a very small and lesser-known temple, situated within the enclosure behind the Elephant Terrace. This is a Buddhist temple (although with some Hindu carvings) done in the Bayon style. The impressive temple features chimney-shaped towers and beautiful Naga deity carvings outside the entrance gate.

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Source: Travel Handbook by Mytour – Via Vnexpress