Entrance to ancient Preah Khan temple in Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

©Efired/Shutterstock

Preah Khan Main Temple

Top choice in Northwestern Cambodia


The main temple is surrounded by a (now dry) moat similar to the one around Angkor Thom. Once through the grand gateway, the trail meanders past a dharmasala (pilgrim's rest house) and through another crumbling pavilion to the central temple area of half-toppled prang (temple towers), entangled with trees and overgrown by forest.

Despite all the damage by looters in the 1990s and more recent problems with theft, this crumbling temple, half lost to the jungle, is a remarkable site with some well-preserved bas-reliefs.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northwestern Cambodia attractions

1. Preah Khan of Kompong Svay

0.02 MILES

For tantalising lost-world ambience, this remote temple complex about 90km south of Preah Vihear City can't be beaten. It's wrapped by vines and trees,…

2. Prasat Preah Stung

0.63 MILES

About 2km west of Preah Khan's baray stands Prasat Preah Stung (known to locals as Prasat Muk Buon or Temple of the Four Faces). It's particularly…

3. Prasat Preah Thkol

1.63 MILES

On the western shore of Preah Khan's baray is Prasat Preah Thkol (known by locals as Mebon), an island temple similar in style to the Western Mebon at…

4. Prasat Damrei

2.49 MILES

Prasat Damrei (Elephant Temple) lies at the eastern end of a 3km-long baray (reservoir) and is the first temple on the Preah Khan access road. On the…

5. Prasat Bram

27.17 MILES

Among the many smaller temples found around Koh Ker, Prasat Bram is a real highlight. It consists of a collection of brick towers, at least two of which…

6. Rahal

28.82 MILES

South of Prasat Thom is a 1185m-by-548m baray (reservoir) known as the Rahal. It is fed by the Sen River, which supplied water to irrigate the land in…

7. Prasat Leung

29.24 MILES

Some of the largest linga (phallic symbols) in Cambodia can still be seen in a cluster of four temples about 1km northeast of Prasat Thom, collectively…

8. Prasat Krahom

29.41 MILES

Prasat Krahom, the second-largest structure at Koh Ker, is so named for the red bricks from which it is constructed. Sadly, none of the carved lions for…