7 Less-Crowded Temples in Angkor Wat
Avoid the crowd and extend your visit
Among all the temples in Angkor Wat, some remain off the tourist radar. Being less-crowded and still amazing in their own ways, we have 7 best temples for you to extend your visit up to 3 days.
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Why You'll Love Them ...
- These 7 temples are either hidden gems inside the main temple or remote ruins, making them less-visited by big groups.
- Most temples of our picks remain untouched and little restoration is done, oozing incredibly charm, ideas for exploration and photography.
- The grand loop of the Angkor Wat Complex can be done within 2 days, take 2 to 4 of our picks to enrich your discovery.
- Sharing certain similarity in style to the major temples, these less-visited temples can be your choices to stay away from the crowds.
7 Temples to Extend Your Adventure
The tourist pass for the Angkor Wat Complex is valid for 1 day, 3 days and a week. And most travelers spend 3 to 5 days in Siem Reap. For those who have finished the 4 major temples, namely Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon and Ta Prohm within 2 days, these 7 temples come and bear special prespectives of the splendid Angkorian charm.
1. Preah Vihear: Good for Photographers and 1-Day Trip
Situated at a 525-metre cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, 3 hours westbound from Siem Reap, Preah Vihear Temple Complex is not exactly little-known. Quite on the contrary, its reputation comes from both the lengthy dispute over ownership between Thailand and Cambodia, and it’s massive, astonishing, and unique style as an ancient Hindu temple dating back to the 9th century.
Quick Facts:
- Brief Site Guide: An uphill causeway and steps leading up to the main sanctuary dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva; a small stairway to the platform where you can see the Thai-Cambodia border.
- Style: Banteay Srei (similar to Banteay Srei Temple) and Khmer
- Time Needed: Getting there takes 3 hours, visiting within 3 hours.
- Entrance Fee: Not included in the Angkor Wat pass, USD10 for foreigners.
Gatsby's Itinerary Suggestion:
It takes 3 hours of driving for one-way, involving serve turns ascending towards the mountaintop. Although you may find cheap join-in transfers or tuk tuk drivers offering driving and guiding, we'd suggest a private tour service as it's a lot safer and much more comfortable. There are no decent dining places nearby, so pack a lunch box and some water to go.
2. East Mebon: Afternoon Extra Leg for a Great Sunset
Imagine yourself standing over the vast expanses of water in East Baray reservoir (now dry) while local pilgrims are worshiping in the palace temple of Phimeanakas. This was the original view back in the 10th century when East Mebon and Pre Rup were constructed for Shiva and honoring King Rajendravarman's father.2-meter-high free-standing stone elephants at corners of the first and second tiers of East Mebon and elegant carving depicting rulings of the Hindu gods Indra and Shiva are its best features. Amazing sunset view also makes you linger after dusk.
Quick Facts:
- Brief Site Guide: East Mebon is a mountain-shaped five-tier temple set on a north–south axis, adjoining Pre Rup and Phimeanakas; easy to climb up, leading to an extended platform good for sunset view.
- Style: Khmer, similar style to its twin temple of Pre Rup; best substitute for sunset viewing of Phnom Bakheng.
- Time Needed: 30 minutes of tuk tuk ride from Siem Reap; visiting requires 2 hours tops.
- Entrance Fee: Included in the Pass.
Gatsby's Itinerary Suggestion:
No need to spare extra time for this, East Mebon and Pre Rup make an ideal extra leg after an afternoon visit at Ta Prohm, which is only a few minutes by tuk tuk ride to the southwest. Optionally, you can make a day trip combining Neak Pean in the morning, Ta Som in the afternoon and sunset at East Mebon and Pre Rup.
3. Neak Pean: Overwater Walk to the Hidden Jungle Temple
Back in the second half of the 12th century, this temple was built for medial purpose: bathing in the water helps retain body elements and cure diseases, derived from the ancient Hindu belief of balance. Associating with Preah Khan Temple, the Buddhist temple Neak Pean is situated on a circular island in Jayatataka Baray. Water here is believed to represent the Himalayan lake Anavatapta, whose water cures all illness. Along a wooden pathway, travelers can get to the small pagoda in the central pond; a pretty breezy walk in a sunny day. Recommended for families and outdoor lovers.
Quick Facts:
- Brief Site Guide: A pathway leads to the main temple that is surrounded by four connected lakes symbolizing Water, Earth, Fire, and Wind.
- Style: Khmer
- Time Needed: 30 minutes of tuk tuk ride from Siem Reap; visiting time within 2 hours.
- Entrance Fee: Included in the Pass.
Gatsby’s Itinerary Suggestion:
The associated temple of Preah Khan is just a tad outside the grand circle of the complex, which is 10 minutes northbound of Angkor Thom. To avoid the crowds and mid-day sun, better to visit Preah Khan and Neak Pean in the morning and proceed to Angkor Thom in the afternoon. Or link up with Ta Som and East Mebon. No railings on the wooden pathway, parents should keep an eye on the children.
4. Roluos: First Khmer Capital, Early-Morning Photos
Located in the modern small town of Roluos, 13km east of Siem Reap, the massive cluster of monuments representing the remains of Hariharalaya is the masterpiece that is surprisingly little-visited by tourists. The town used to be the royal seat of Hariharalaya, the first capital of Khmer Empire and Roluos set the tone for temples since the late 9th century. Roluos Group houses various construct styles, the most impressive of which is Preah Ko style that is known for small brick towers -- usually three in a row as a set perched on a sandstone platform, and delicate lintels. Early-morning sunlight is exceptional for photography on its east-facing facades.
Quick Facts:
- Brief Site Guide: A group of temples, towers, and monuments mostly in a scattering array, largely abandoned in shreds. The surviving temples include Preah Ko Temple, Bakong, and Lolei, latter two of which are Theravada Buddhist monasteries.
- Style: Khmer and Preah Ko
- Time Needed: 30 minutes of tuk tuk ride eastbound from Siem Reap; visiting requires 2 to 3 hours.
- Entrance Fee: Included in the Pass.
Gatsby's Itinerary Suggestion:
No muss no fuss, you will easily waste an entire morning here, especially when you are a photographer. Besides Preah Ko, the feature-full layout of Bakong, walls engraved with Apsara sculptures of Lolei are both quite photogenic. It's in a triangle direction with other temple clusters and Siem Reap town, thus we'd suggest returning back to your hotel afterwards and set out for sunset at East Mebon (20 minutes northeast).
5. Ta Keo: Unfished Temple, Sheer Climb, for Adventurers
Built up in epitome of the sacred mountain Mount Meru, the five-tier pyramid-shaped ziggurat of Ta Keo. A lightening stroke the construction and everything halted -- lightening is always a bad omen. This edifice dates back to the 11th century and is dedicated to Shiva as the state temple for Jayavarman V. No documents for why the temple was never finished. Its lack of carvings or decoration can be noticed immediately, which is the most distinctive feature of the rarely-seen Khleang style. Despite being shy of dainty ornaments, its five sanctuary towers set on the top make it one of the less-crowded places for sunset viewing. Recommended for photographers ( but not for families with small children or travelers with mobility restrictions).
Quick Facts:
- Brief Site Guide: A massive pyramid-shaped mountain temple, sheer laterite stairways leading up to the top platform, offering a clear and soothing view of sunset and surrounding areas .
- Style: Khleng style, in the same style as Phimeanakas.
- Time Needed: 10 minutes of walking eastbound of Angkor Thom; 25 minutes of tuk tuk ride from Siem Reap.
- Entrance Fee: Included in the Pass.
Gatsby’s Itinerary Suggestion:
A bit away from Angkor Thom, Ta Keo is less-trodden mainly because of its sheer and dangerous-looking stairways; it might be easy-peasy to climb up but getting down requires certain tactics and good body balance, especially during the rainy days. Angkor Thom and Ta Keo, as well as the nearby temples of Ta Nei, Preah Khan, East Mebon, and Pre Rup would make up a perfect adventure trip.
6. Phnom Bok: Trekking, Exploring & View of Tonle Sap Lake
Northeast 25km from Siem Reap, Phnom Bok is not actually a temple per se, it's one of the "trilogies of mountains", the other two of which are Phnom Bakheng and Phnom Krom, all similar in style. Phnom Bok Temple is situated atop at an altitude of 221 metres, dedicating to three Hindu gods: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. This Bakheng-style temple was constructed by King Yasovarman I in the late 9th and served as the supreme in the Angkorian era. No parking lot for big tour buses, the temple is satisfactorily secluded. Clasped gigantic rocks, fallen walls and pillars, shattered galleries and lentils are all setting asunder, forgotten by the outside world. A climb on its 633 wide steps up to the top promises spectacular views of the surrounding areas and the Tonle Sap Lake.
Quick Facts:
- Brief Site Guide: Trek up the jungle and ascend to the hilltop; the main part of the temple and its adjoining sanctuary, galleries, libraries, halls, linga statues, and towers are not greatly shredded, but the empty chambers and vaults look quite tempting to daredevils.
- Style: Bakheng style, similar to Bakheng Temple and Phnom Krom Temple that are both just 10 minutes outside of Siem Reap.
- Time Needed: 40 minutes of driving from Siem Reap; visiting time takes 3 to 5 hours with easy trekking and climbing.
- Entrance Fee: Under the Apsara authority’s management but it’s also covered in the Pass.
Gatsby's Itinerary Suggestion:
Being in the same direction as Banteay Srei, an early start smooths your day trip towards these two amazing temples within one day. The better way is to take a private tour as no regular buses and quite a few tours stretching there. There are some non-Apsara soldiers/securities guarding the site, as its location is military-valuable in recent days; they will be happy to show you around but there's quite little narrative needed and you may just want some time alone playing some tomb raider scenes.
7. Koh Ker: An Ancient Cult Site, Never Finished
Want to release your inner Indiana Jones? Drive out 120km from Siem Reap, to Koh Ker, the capital of the Khmer Empire from the year 928 to 944 AD. Built by King Jayavarman IV in the early 10th century, Koh Ker Temple used to be a cult site that was solely dedicated to the linga-cult, which is an ancient sect of Hinduism centered on the god Shiva. In the particular cases of Koh Ker and the Kulen Mountain, Shiva was worshiped in the form of a lings, a phallic symbol carved in giant stones. More than 180 sanctuaries were discovered in a protected area of 81 square kilometres (31 sq mi) but only a few of them are accessible for tourists and the rest remain hidden in the dense jungle. For outdoor lovers, families with young adults, and adventurers, nothing tickles their pink than this forest-filled lost realm.
Quick Facts:
- Brief Site Guide: A trip to Koh Ker involves trekking in jungle trails to the mountain temple and discovering hidden sanctuaries .
- Style: Koh Ker style, something similar would be Kulen Mountain.
- Time Needed: 3 hours of driving from Siem Reap; visiting time takes up to 4 hours.
- Entrance Fee: Not included in the Pass, USD10 per person for foreigners.
Gatsby’s Itinerary Suggestion:
Better set out early and use a private tour services, optionally combining with Beng Meala (which also requires separate entrance fee of USD5/person).
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