Koh Ker Temples, Koh Ker Temples Siem Reap Vietnam, Koh Ker Temples Travel Guide
From 928 AD to 944 AD, Koh Ker was the Capital of the Khmer Empire with some massive architectural works and magnificent sculptures. Nowadays, it plays a role as the archaeological site, representing the ruins of the ancient capital in the short period and attracting a large number of visitors every year. Travelers can use bike tours on the dirt road to discover the monuments hidden inside the forest.
Located about 130km to the north of Siem Reap, Koh Ker Temples is a desolated complex including a hundred destroyed temples covered by jungle, in which there is a giant stepped pyramid considered as the largest one in the area. They are the result of an ambitious construction plan of king Jayavarman IV and Harshavarman II (another son of Jayavarman IV) to built Koh Ker as the cultural, political and religious center of the entire empire in a short time. There were at least ten thousand people living in Koh Ker at that moment. After centuries of oblivion, the monuments were repaired and recovered in 2004 based on Cambodian standards about the Angkor monuments. However, visitors can enter only about two dozen relics, most prominently a huge water- reservoir, a double sanctuary (Prasat Thom/Prang), the seven tiered pyramid with the height of 36-metre (118 ft) and the twometer (6ft7) high shrines. Many of them were constructed in brick connected each other by using a mortar mixture made from tree sap. Besides, laterite and sandstone are still the major construction materials of Koh Ker as well as the architectural works of Angkor generally. However until now, the brick monuments are in more intact conditions than the laterite one.
Travelers will find here the stunning sculptures, characterizing for the brilliant artistic development reaching the peack of Koh Ker under the reign of Jayavarman IV. The ancient statues and sculptural decoration art in Koh Ker Temples bearing a mysterious, charming and elegant beauty will make you hard to take your eyes. However, almost all these beautiful sculptures are replicas because many of their originals were stolen and sold for the private collectors or exhibited in the collection of masterpieces of the National Museum in Phnom Penh and some other foreign museums. With the precious historical, cultural and artistic values, Koh Ker is added in on the tentative world heritage list of UNESCO.
Photos & galleries about Koh Ker Temples
Koh Ker Temples on Map - Interactive Map
Other Siem Reap attractions
Artisans D angkor
The traditional handicraft is one of the main professions of Cambodia which plays an important role in growing the economy and...
Angkor Wat
Located about six kilometers from the town center of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is the most famous relic in the great complex of...
Angkor Thom
Situated on the western side of the Siem Reap River, Angkor Thom (means 'Great City') is the final capital city of the glorious...
Ta Prohm
Belongs to the relic complex Angkor, Ta Prohm currently has become one of attractions not to be missed. Over many centuries...
Bayon Temple
With the special location in the heart of the old capital Angkor Thom, Bayon is one of the temples beside Angkor Wat that you...
Beng Mealea
Situated 40 km to the east of the main temples complex at Angkor, on the old royal highway to Preah Khan Kompong Svay, Beng...
Rolous Group
Constructed in the late ninth century under the reign of Indravarman I, The Roluos group consisting of three temples Bakong,...
Preah Khan Temple
Situated about 2km to the northeast of Angkor Thom, Preah Khan is an ancient temple in the Bayon style of the Angkor complex,...
Banteay Srey and Banteay Samre
Built in the tenth century belongs the Angkor Temples complex, Banteay Srey & Banteay Samre are two ancient temples representing...
Tonle Sap Lake
Tonle Sap Lake or The Great Lakein Cambodia is well-known as the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia as well as the unique...
Mechrey Floating Village
Siem Reap is famous for not only the ancient Khmer temples but also the unique floating villages on the bank of Tonle Sap,...
War Museum
Cambodia is one of Southeast Asian countries was most severely affected by war. The traces of these arduous years have still...
Chong Kneas Floating Villages
Leaving the Angkor complex, travelers will continue discovering other hidden beauties of Siem Reap through Floating villages that...
River of 1000 Lingas
Situated on the southwest slopes of the Kulen Hills and the northeast of Angkor complex, Kbal Spean (also known as'The River of a...
Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary
Siem Reap is famous for not only the ancient Angkor complex but also the beautiful natural scene, especially PrekToal Bird...
Wat Damnak
Located in the heart of Siem Reap, the Wat Damnak monastery is known as the Research Centre of Khmer' culture and religion,...
Night market Siem Reap
An interesting tour cannot be integrant without the shopping. When traveling to Myanmar, tourists are really impressed by the...
Old market
Situated in the center of town, Old Market (Psah Chas) is a highlight of the journey to explore Siem Reap. As its name, Old...
Kayaking in Tonle Sap Lake
Traveling to Siem Reap, you should not miss the journey of discovery Tonlé Sap Lake-the largest freshwater lake in South East...
Cambodian Cultural Village
Situated about 3 Km from International Siem Reap Airport, Cambodian Cultural Village (CCV) is a famous park, museum and antique...
Landmine Museum
The war stretching throughout three decades has left many traces and unhealed wounds for Cambodia. More than six million mines...
Kulen Mountain
Located about 50km northeast of Angkor Complex, Kunlen Mountain is considered the most sacred mountain in Cambodia because of its...
Silk Farm
Situated about 20 minutes from the centre of Siem Reap, the Silk farm has an area of 8 hectare, in which 5 hectares of land are...
Butterfly Garden
Siem Reap is famous for not only the ancient Angkor complex but also the beautiful natural scene, especially The Butterfly Garden...
Happy Ranch - Horse ride
Leaving the ancient Angkor Temple complex, tourists will continues discovering the hidden beauty of Siem Reap through the...
Kampong Khleang Floating Village
Tonle Sap is the famous freshwater lake in Cambodia and plays an important role in the daily life and economy of surrounding...
Neak Pean
Constructed in the late half of the 12th century by king Jayavarman VII, Prasat Neak Pean is an ancient temple in the Bayon art...
Phnom Bakheng Temple
Constructed in the late 9th - early 10th century AD by The King Yasovarman I, Phnom Bakheng Temple is a sacred shrine mountain on...
Phnom Krom
Situated about 12 kilometers to the southwest of Siem Reap town, Phnom Krom is a sacred hill in Cambodia associated with a local...
Preah Ang Chom and Preah Ang Check
Referring to Siem Reap city, Cambodia, nobody can ignore the famous temple with a long name: Preah Ang Chom & Preah Ang Check....
Banteay Chhmar Temple
Like Angkor Thom, the temple of Banteay Chhmar was built between 12th and 13th centuries during the reign of King, Jar Varman... Could not find suitable tour for yourself ? Let us help you!
Please kindly send us your ideas about the tours: destinations, attractions, your group, hotel class...we will get back to you with details & best offers quickly...Travel Vietnam with us to have authentic & unique experiences now!Tailor Make A Tour →
Please kindly send us your ideas about the tours: destinations, attractions, your group, hotel class...we will get back to you with details & best offers quickly...Travel Vietnam with us to have authentic & unique experiences now!Tailor Make A Tour →
