Svay Leu, Cambodia

The Elephant Terrace is part of the Royal Palace complex serving as part of the east wall.  The wall is located just north of Bayon and serves as an elevated path that connects the Leper King Terrace and the entrances to Baphuon Temple and Phimeanakas Temple.  It is said that the Elephant Terrace...

Phimeanakas is found within the walls of the Royal Palace. Directly north through the palace walls from Baphuon Temple. Phimeanakas is a three tiered temple constructed in the 10th century. The original structure had a tower on top. Legend states that a serpent spirit with 9 heads lived in the to...

Bayon Temple was built in the 12 century and about 100 years after Angkor Wat. Bayon is in the exact center of Angkor Thom. It is famous for over 200 stone Buddha faces that highlight the magnificence of Bayon. In Bayon's current state, it has 37 towers. Each tower has four faces point in four di...

Baphuon is situated just northwest of Bayon Temple. It was built in the 11th century and was initially a Hindu temple but by the 15th century it was converted into a Buddhist temple. Baphuon was built upon a sand base. Because of this, it suffered many collapses over the hundreds of years. A majo...

Lolei Temple (also called Prasat Lolei), is part of the Roluos Group southeast of Siem Reap. It was built if the 9th century and consists of 4 towers. The brick towers have not been restored but some restoration is underway on the main tower. There are some well preserved carvings inlaid into the...

You can start this hike from any of the five gates.  However, the easiest starting point is the south gate because it is typically the first gate you encounter when entering Angkor Thom.  Have your tuk tuk driver drop you off and wait for you at the gate.  While the trail is very easy, it is long...

Baksei Cham Krong means, The bird that shelters under its wings. The legend is that during an attack on Angkor, the king was sheltered by a large bird that spread it's wings and saved the king. Baksei Cham Krong is only one temple. It is constructed out of different materials from what you see at...

Preah Ko, also known as Prasat Preah Ko, is part of the Roluos Group. There is a walkway approaching the temple towers which I found to be impressive and interesting to photograph. There are six towers in all, three in front and three behind.  The towers sit on top of a low platform and are clos...

Phnom Bakheng Temple is refer to as a "temple mountain." The complex was constructed atop one of the highest points in Angkor in the 9th century, almost two centuries before Angkor Wat. It was built to resemble Mount Meru, a mythical mountain where Hindu gods live. This temple has a very long app...

You'll want to leave your hotel or hostel in Siem Reap by 5am at the latest. Don't bother pre-arranging transportation, there will be tuk tuk drivers roaming the streets looking for people headed to the temple. If you haven't bought your Angkor Wat pass yet, I'd recommend leaving even earlier. T...

Angkor Wat was constructed in the 12th century during the golden years of the Khmer Empire. King Suryavarman II built the Hindu temple to the God Vishnu. The central tower and courtyard represent Mount Meru, home of the gods, which for centuries could only be seen by the elite priests. Centuries ...

Bakong Temple, also known as Prasat Bakong, is part of the Roluos Group located southeast of Siem Reap. It is the largest complex of the Roluos Group.  Bakong constructed in the 9th century as can be seen by the construction material and the outer tower styles similar to Preah Ko and Lolei, also ...

I haven't seen this trail really called anything. The explorer in me likes to check out paths less taken. This is truly one of them. It could be that few people know it even exists. Most, probably have a limited time to visit all that Angkor Archeological Park has to offer, so don't seek out a tr...