Hidden within the northern reaches of the Angkor complex, Preah Khan unfolds as one of the most atmospheric and expansive temple sites in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th century by Jayavarman VII, its name translates to “Sacred Sword,” honoring his father, Dharanindra. More than a temple, Preah Khan was once a thriving Khmer Buddhist…

Among the monumental temples of Angkor, Banteay Srei stands apart. Smaller in scale yet unmatched in refinement, it is often described as the jewel of the Khmer Empire. Its delicate pink sandstone carvings are so precise and ornate that they resemble fine jewelry rather than stone reliefs. Built in the 10th century during the reign…

Few places in Southeast Asia capture the imagination quite like Ta Prohm. Known globally as the “Tomb Raider temple Cambodia,” this atmospheric ruin is where colossal strangler fig and silk-cotton trees wrap themselves around 12th-century sandstone walls in a breathtaking display of nature reclaiming architecture. Built by Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery, Ta…

Rising from the forests of northwestern Cambodia, Angkor Thom Cambodia represents the architectural and spiritual climax of the Khmer Empire. Built in the late 12th century by Jayavarman VII, this vast walled city became the empire’s final and most ambitious capital. Covering nearly 10 square kilometers, Angkor Thom is more than a temple complex. It…

Few places on earth match the scale, symmetry, and spiritual gravity of Angkor Wat. Rising from the Cambodian jungle like a stone lotus at dawn, this 12th-century temple complex is the crown jewel of the Khmer Empire and the heart of every serious Siem Reap travel guide. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracting…