Other Angkorian Temples in Southeast Asia apart from Angkor Wat
Any mention of Angkorian temples usually conjures up images of Angkor Wat and the other magnificent temples found at Cambodia’s Angkor Complex which lays on the outskirts of Siem Reap. But in the period spanning the 10th to 14th centuries, the once-vast Khmer Empire reached well beyond the boundaries of Angkor. And if you choose to venture further afield than Angkor Wat, Preah Khan and Angkor Thom into the rest of Cambodia, southern Laos and northeast Thailand and you’ll be rewarded with a number of impressive temples from the Khmer period.
If you really want to play Indiana Jones, you’re going to have to travel beyond Siem Reap and get a little more off the beaten path
One big bonus in visiting some of Asia’s other Angkorian temples is the likelihood that you will be exploring them largely on your own. And whilst they are not all as impressive or well-maintained as Angkor Wat, you may well find that experiencing them in solitude is far more rewarding than jostling for position alongside selfie sticks.
It’s putting in mildly to say we are enthusiastic about Angkorian temples and, over the years, we have visited a lot in the region. Many are incredible and rival the world-famous temples of Angkor, the former Khmer capital, in modern Cambodia, while others are a bit more low key and are really only worth the effort if you are as eager as us to see as many as possible. Regardless of their grandeur, what all these temples have in common is that none of them receives anywhere near the number of visitors as those near Siem Reap. A few, Beng Mealea, Preah Vihear, and Koh Ker, for example, have increased in popularity over the years but, hideous crowds are certainly not the norm and it’s relatively easy to avoid other visitors, in particular the dreaded tour groups, by hanging back and waiting for them to move on, or by simply heading in a different direction; something that is almost impossible on either the Small or Big Circuit at Angkor these days.
All alone at Preah Khan Kompong Svay (Prasat Bakan), the remotest of all Angkorian temples
Starting close to Siem Reap and working further away, these are the Angkorian temples we have visited during our time in the region. We aren’t going to bombard you with a long list of facts about each temple complex; a link to Wikipedia (or similar) is listed if you want to know more. Instead, we will provide basic practical information and a selection of photos that will hopefully inspire you to visit some of the lesser-visited temples in Southeast Asia for yourself.
To demonstrate the scale of the Khmer Empire, we have indicated the approximate distance between each location and Angkor Wat, the empire’s most famous temple.
A guide to tuk-tuk talk
A remork is a Cambodian-style tuk-tuk
A moto is a Cambodian motorbike taxi
A songthaew is a fixed-route pickup truck common in Thailand and Laos
Laos and Northeast Thailand style tuk-tuk
A map of Angkorian temples in Southeast Asia, not just Angkor Wat!
Map of locations
Listed by their proximity to Angkor Wat, here is our guide to the Angkorian Empire’s other temples…
Name of temple complex: Phnom Bok
Country: Cambodia
GPS: 13.41246, 103.86698
Distance from Angkor Wat: 16km east
Nearest town for accommodation: Siem Reap (23km from Phnom Bok)
How to get to Phnom Bok temple: There is no public transport to Phnom Bok. The option is a taxi or remork, both of which can be arranged in Siem Reap
Entrance fee: Included in the Angkor Pass
Additional reading: Travelfish
Tips and recommendations: Phnom Bok is one of three hills in the region with an Angkor-period temple on the summit. It is easy to incorporate a visit to Phnom Bok into a full day of Angkor sightseeing
Phnom Bok
Name of temple complex: Beng Mealea
Country: Cambodia
GPS: 13.47556, 104.22879
Distance from Angkor Wat: 50km east
Nearest town for accommodation: There are a few basic guesthouses near the entrance to Koh Ker (57km from Beng Mealea) and superior accommodation options in Siem Reap (65km from Beng Mealea)
How to get to Beng Mealea temple: There is no public transport to Beng Mealea. The options are a taxi, remork or moto, all of which can be arranged in Siem Reap
Entrance fee: Beng Mealea is not included on the Angkor Pass. The admission fee is US$5 per person
Additional reading: Wiki
Tips and recommendations: It’s easy (and recommended) to combine Beng Mealea with Koh Ker as a day trip out of Siem Reap. It is also possible to visit Beng Mealea (and Koh Ker) en route between Siem Reap and Preah Vihear (both the city and the temple)
Beng Mealea
Name of temple complex: Koh Ker
Country: Cambodia
GPS: 13.7831, 104.5372
Distance from Angkor Wat: 110km northeast
Nearest town for accommodation: Most travellers visit Koh Ker from Siem Reap. There are a few basic guesthouses near the entrance to Koh Ker. Superior accommodation options can be found in Preah Vihear City (sometimes known as Tbeng Meanchey, 67km from Koh Ker) and Siem Reap (122km from Koh Ker)
How to get to Koh Ker temple: There is no public transport to Koh Ker. The option is a taxi, remork or moto, all of which can be arranged in Preah Vihear City or Siem Reap
Entrance fee: Koh Ker is not included on the Angkor Pass. The admission fee is US$10 per person
Additional reading: Tourism Cambodia
Tips and recommendations: It’s easy (and recommended) to combine Koh Ker with Beng Mealea as a day trip out of Preah Vihear City or Siem Reap. It is also possible to visit Koh Ker (and Beng Mealea) en route between Siem Reap and Preah Vihear (both the city and the temple)
Koh Ker
Name of temple complex: Banteay Chhmar
Country: Cambodia
GPS: 14.07111, 103.09972
Distance from Angkor Wat: 170km northwest
Nearest town for accommodation: There is simple homestay accommodation in Banteay Chhmar, which can be booked through the Banteay Chhmar CBT Homestay Program. Superior accommodation options can be found in Sisophon (60km from Banteay Chhmar)
How to get to Banteay Chhmar temple: Sometimes (mostly in the mornings) there are direct shared-taxis from Sisophon to Banteay Chhmar. If there isn’t, it is normally possible to take a shared taxi as far as Thmor Puok and then a moto the rest of the way (a further 18km). The temple is situated in the centre of the village
Entrance fee: US$5 per person
Additional reading: Visit Banteay Chhmar
Tips and recommendations: Banteay Chhmar is a little over 100km from the Poi Pet border crossing with Thailand. It would be straightforward to make this crossing after visiting the temples. If you’re travelling by public transport, Sisophon is the best place to take the bus from
Banteay Chhmar
Name of temple complex: Wat Ek Phnom
Country: Cambodia
GPS: 13.16298, 103.18821
Distance from Angkor Wat: 170km southwest
Nearest town for accommodation: Battambang (10km from Wat Ek Phnom)
How to get to Wat Ek Phnom temple: There is no public transport to Wat Ek Phnom. The best option is to hire a remork for the day and see a number of Battambang’s sights in one go
Entrance fee: US$3 per person. The ticket is also valid for a same-day visit to Phnom Banan
Additional reading: Travelfish
Tips and recommendations: There is plenty to see and do in Battambang and we recommend staying at least a couple of nights
Wat Ek Phnom
Name of temple complex: Phnom Banan
Country: Cambodia
GPS: 12.95164, 103.13963
Distance from Angkor Wat: 185km southwest
Nearest town for accommodation: Battambang (20km from Phnom Banan)
How to get to Phnom Banan temple: There is no public transport to Phnom Banan. The best option is to hire a remork for the day and see a number of Battambang’s sights in one go
Entrance fee: US$3 per person. The ticket is also valid for a same day-visit to Wat Ek Phnom
Additional reading: Tourism Cambodia
Tips and recommendations: Phnom Banan is not that impressive. If your time is limited chose to visit Wat Ek Phnom instead
Phnom Banan
Name of temple complex: Banteay Prey Nokor
Country: Cambodia
GPS: 12.00055, 105.44527
Distance from Angkor Wat: 265km southeast
Nearest town for accommodation: Kampong Cham (3km from Banteay Prey Nokor)
How to get to Banteay Prey Nokor temple: It is possible to walk or cycle to Banteay Prey Nokor from the centre of Kampong Cham
Entrance fee: US$2 per person
Additional reading: Wander-Lush
Tips and recommendations: Kampong Cham is one of Cambodia’s hidden gems and is among our favourite places to stop between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh
Banteay Prey Nokor
Name of temple complex: Preah Vihear Temple
Country: Cambodia
GPS: 14.39156, 104.68017
Distance from Angkor Wat: 200km northeast
Nearest town for accommodation: There are a few basic guesthouses near the entrance to Preah Vihear Temple. Superior accommodation options can be found in Sra Em (Sra’aem) (30km from Preah Vihear Temple) and Preah Vihear City (sometimes called Tbeng Meanchey, 115km from Preah Vihear Temple)
How to get to Preah Vihear temple: Shared taxis depart Preah Vihear City for Sra Em when full (mostly in the mornings). From Sra Em, the only option is to continue by private taxi or moto. The temple is situated on the top of a mountain and the final 6.5km road leading up to it (especially the last 1.5km) is very steep. Regular vehicles won’t be able to handle this part of the journey but 4WD pickup trucks and motos (ridden by riders familiar with the terrain) can be arranged at the ticket office at the base of the mountain. There is also an ancient stairway leading up to the temple if you prefer to walk up
Entrance fee: US$10 per person
Additional reading: Visiting Cambodia’s contentious Angkorian ruins
Tips and recommendations: We have written a comprehensive account of our visit to Preah Vihear Temple to include more details about how to get there and where to stay. Click here to be redirected to the page
Preah Vihear
Name of temple complex: Preah Khan Kompong Svay (Prasat Bakan)
Country: Cambodia
GPS: 13.40798, 104.74847
Distance from Angkor Wat: 160km east
Nearest town for accommodation: There are a few basic homestays a few kilometres from the entrance to Preah Khan Kompong Svay. Superior accommodation options can be found in Preah Vihear City (85km from Preah Khan Kompong Svay) and Kampong Thom (107km from Preah Khan Kompong Svay)
How to get to Preah Khan temple Kompong Svay: Public buses linking Preah Vihear City with Kampong Thom pass by the turnoff to the temple complex. From this point, you should be able to find a moto willing to take you to the actual temple and back. The more reliable alternative is to arrange a taxi or moto in either Preah Vihear City or Kampong Thom
Entrance fee: US$7 per person
Additional reading: Visiting the Cambodian temple of Preah Khan Kompong Svay
Tips and recommendations: We have written a comprehensive account of our visit to Preah Khan Kompong Svay include more details about how to get there and where to stay. Click here to be redirected to the page
Preah Khan Kompong Svay
Name of temple complex: Sambor Prei Kuk
Note: This temple complex is actually pre-Angkorian but we have included it in this list because it is a worthy addition
Country: Cambodia
GPS: 12.87083, 105.04305
Distance from Angkor Wat: 170km southeast
Nearest town for accommodation: Kampong Thom (30km from Sambor Prei Kuk)
How to get to Sambor Prei Kuk temple: There is no public transport to Sambor Prei Kuk. The option is a taxi, remork or moto, all of which can be arranged in Kampong Thom
Entrance fee: US$10 per person
Additional reading: Canby Travel
Tips and recommendations: If you find yourself in Kampong Thom en route to Preah Khan Kompong Svay make sure you find time to visit Sambor Prei Kuk as well
Sambor Prei Kuk
Name of temple complex: Vat Phou (Wat Phu)
Country: Laos
GPS: 14.84852, 105.82329
Distance from Angkor Wat: 380km northeast
Nearest town for accommodation: Champasak (12km from Vat Phou) and Pakse (43km from Vat Phou)
How to get to Vat Phou temple: There is no public transport to Vat Phou from Champasak. The option is a tuk-tuk or bicycle, both of which can be arranged in the town. If coming from Pakse, first take a songthaew to Ban Muang (Champasak East Terminal) on the eastern bank of the Mekong River. Cross the river by ferry to Ban Phaphin and arrange transport to the temple. If you prefer a bicycle you will probably have to walk the approximate 2km distance to the centre of Champasak and hire one from there
Entrance fee: 30,000 kip per person (US$3.50)
Additional reading: Migrationology
Tips and recommendations: If visiting Vat Phou from Pakse, it’s probably a good idea to arrange a taxi or join an organised tour in order to best utilise your time
Vat Phou
Name of temple complex: Phanom Rung Historical Park
Country: Thailand
GPS: 14.5321, 102.9425
Distance from Angkor Wat: 270km northwest
Nearest town for accommodation: Nang Rong (26km from Phanom Rung Historical Park)
How to get to Phanom Rung temple: There is no public transport to Phanom Rung Historical Park. The best option is to rent a motorbike or hire a taxi. P California Inter Hostel, which is where we stayed, rents out motorbikes and can also provide a car with driver
Entrance fee: 100 baht per person (US$3). If you plan on visiting Muang Tam also, you can purchase a ticket valid for both for 150 baht (US$4.60)
Additional reading: Travelfish
Tips and recommendations: It is easy to combine a visit to Phanom Rung Historical Park with Muang Tam, which is only 8km away
Phanom Rung Historical Park
Name of temple complex: Muang Tam
Country: Thailand
GPS: 13.41246, 103.86698
Distance from Angkor Wat: 270km northwest
Nearest town for accommodation: Nang Rong (35km from Muang Tam)
How to get to Muang Tam temple: Public transport to Muang Tam is scarce. The best option is to rent a motorbike or hire a taxi. P California Inter Hostel, which is where we stayed, rents out motorbikes and can also provide a car with driver
Entrance fee: 100 baht per person (US$3). If you plan on visiting Phanom Rung Historical Park also, you can purchase a ticket valid for both for 150 baht (US$4.60)
Additional reading: Wiki
Tips and recommendations: It is easy to combine a visit to Muang Tam with Phanom Rung Historical Park, which is only 8km away
Muang Tam
Name of temple complex: Phimai Historical Park
Country: Thailand
GPS: 15.22107, 102.49377
Distance from Angkor Wat: 380km northwest
Nearest town for accommodation: There are accommodation options in Phimai itself, and we enjoyed our stay at the centrally located Benya Guest House.
How to get to Phimai temple: The temple is in the centre of the town and easy to visit on foot
Entrance fee: 100 baht per person (US$3)
Additional reading: Wiki
Tips and recommendations: As long as you retain your entrance ticket, you are allowed to re-enter the temple complex as many times as you like
Phimai Historical Park
All prices quoted are valid as of October 2018.
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Hi!
Thank you for your informative article. I can only second visiting the Angkor-era temples in Thailand – they are great. I have visited some of the smaller Angkor temples but only on the Angkor Wat side and found them lovely too – its just four or five of the big well known temples that appear to get all the visitors. All three ruins in Thailand can be visited on easy day trips from Nakhon Ratchasima – not a pretty town but with plenty accommodation, loads of good restaurants and good public transport. For Muang Tam and Phanom Rung, we took a bus to Ubon Ratchathani and asked to be dropped off at the highway for Phanom Rung. At the intersection, there are usually motorbike taxis. Its a short and nice ride to both temples. Back on the highway, there is a bus stop so just catch a bus back to Nakhon Ratchasima. Phimai lies in a different direction and there are lots of buses going directly to Phimai from the Main bus station in Nakhon Ratchasima. I really loved it. Only in Muang Tam there were a few Thai groups, otherwise the temples were pretty deserted. Nakhon Ratchasima can easily be reached by train or coach from Bangkok and Khon Kaen ( a great city by the way)
Thanks Anja, glad you enjoyed the post. We tend to prefer to be as close as things to possible if we can but you’re right, Nakhon Ratchasima would make a good base too. The buses in Thailand tend to be pretty regular which definitely works in your favour when day-tripping! Thanks again for the additional tips – very useful.
Wonderful list of gems here Kirsty. All the good ones sit off the beaten path, save those eye-popping numbers in Cambodia and Myanmar.
The crowds are there for a reason and, yes there are some unmissable temples that it’s worth battling the crowds for. But getting off the path is easier than a lot of people think!