Eastern Mebon

Temples of Angkor

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This Hindu temple, erected by Rajendravarman II, would once have been situated on an islet in the centre of the Eastern Baray, but it is now very much on dry land. Its temple-mountain form is topped off by a quintet of towers. The elaborate brick shrines are dotted with neatly arranged holes, which attached the original plasterwork. The base of the temple is guarded at its corners by perfectly carved stone figures of elephants.

The Eastern Mebon is flanked by earthen ramps, a clue that this temple was never finished and a good visual guide to how the temples were constructed.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • 26408-37 Asia, Cambodia, Siem Reap, South-East Asia, aged, ancient, architecture, architecture and art, art, built structure, clear sky, culture, day, epoch, historic, history, horizontal, human representation, low angle view, no people, old, outdoors, past, sculpture, stone Stone heads, Bayon.

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    10.86 MILES

    Considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei is cut from stone of a pinkish hue and includes some of the finest stone…

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    2.23 MILES

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    6.85 MILES

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Nearby Temples of Angkor attractions

1. Eastern Baray

0.17 MILES

The enormous one-time reservoir known as the Eastern Baray was excavated by Yasovarman I, who marked its four corners with stelae. This basin, now…

2. Pre Rup

0.8 MILES

Pre Rup, built by Rajendravarman II, is about 1km south of the Eastern Mebon and is a popular spot for sunset. The temple consists of a pyramid-shaped…

3. Ta Som

1.32 MILES

Standing to the east of Preah Neak Poan, Ta Som is one of the late-12th-century Buddhist temples of prolific builder Jayavarman VII. The most impressive…

4. Sra Srang

1.58 MILES

Just east of Banteay Kdei is a basin of earlier construction, Sra Srang, measuring 800m by 400m, which was reserved for the king and his wives. A tiny…

5. Banteay Kdei & Sra Srang

1.79 MILES

Banteay Kdei, a massive Buddhist monastery from the latter part of the 12th century, is surrounded by four concentric walls. Each of its four entrances is…

6. Preah Neak Poan

2.05 MILES

The Buddhist temple of Preah Neak Poan is a petite yet perfect temple constructed by Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. It has a large square pool…

7. Ta Prohm

2.23 MILES

The so-called 'Tomb Raider Temple', Ta Prohm is cloaked in dappled shadow, its crumbling towers and walls locked in the slow muscular embrace of vast root…

8. Prasat Kravan

2.3 MILES

Uninspiring from the outside, the interior brick carvings concealed within its towers are the hidden treasure of Prasat Kravan. The five brick towers,…