Cambodia: Off-the-Beaten Temples of Angkor Archaeological Park

Children playing at the Ta Som Temple

Children playing at the Ta Som Temple

For my long overdue wrap-up post on Cambodia, I’d like to summarize some of the not-so-popular or off-the-beaten-path temples around the Angkor Archaeological Park which I think is worth some people’s look if they have extra time. The park like I always said is huge and warrants considerable number of days to explore all of them. But personally, no matter how grand the structures here are, there are times you would be “Templed Out”. I must admit on our last day there after visiting a major temple, I no longer want to see another brick or ruin again because they started to look the same. hehe. So it is advisable if you mix your temple-hopping with other activities in between to add variety.

Entrance to the Ta Som Temple

Entrance to the Ta Som Temple

Considered as the most distant temple of the Grand Circuit, Ta Som sees only a few tourist so it’s a delight to visit since it’s small and quiet. Much of the structures here are left in ruins but there is still the central tower which stands. Before, there were fig trees growing along the entrances much like Ta Prohm but most of it were cut down due to the danger of damaging the structures more and the passersby. Only one entrance is left with the tree growth.

The small and attractive Thommanom

The small and attractive Thommanom Temple

Another photogenic temple just outside the walls of Angkor Thom, after passing by the Victory gate is Thommanon. Built at the same time as Angkor Wat, this small temple is still in excellent condition. The style is very similar to Angkor Wat yet on a miniature scale making it a nice photo opportunity with the forest behind it as a backdrop.

The Hall of Dancing Girls at Banteay Kdei Temple

The Hall of Dancing Girls at Banteay Kdei Temple

Just south east of Ta Prohm is another monastic (one level) known as Banteay Kdei or “Citadel of Cells”. Much like the former, there are fig trees penetrating the temple. The area isn’t huge but one of its features is the central hallway where finely carved details of dancing girls can be found.

The island temple of Neak Pean

The island temple of Neak Pean

Probably one of the most unusual and unique of the Angkorian temples is Neak Pean. The other name for it is the “Coiled Serpent” as you could see in the design of this island temple. The water from its pool, which is usually filled up during rainy seasons are said to have healing properties.

The off-the-beaten temple of Banteay Samre

The off-the-beaten temple of Banteay Samre

If you are planning on visiting the elaborate temples of Banteay Srei, do make a side trip to another distant temple, a bit outside the usual routes is Banteay Samre. This complex has a massive area surrounded by laterite walls but flat in structure. The inner temples are similar to Angkor Wat design since it was built about the same time. Try not to wander off outside its walls and path since there are still de-activated land mines around the area.

The Library Building at Preah Khan

The Library Building at Preah Khan

Lastly, I guess is one of my favorite temple as well, is the massive Preah Khan. It is a monastic temple with very vast area filled with passages and carvings on its columns. When I say it’s huge, it is huge as this temple used to be a teaching ground. Much like a university at our present time. Aside from more picturesque growth of fig trees in the area, its main library building attracted me the most. As the columned structure reminds me a lot of Greece(Like I’ve been there. hehe) than Angkorian.

So there you go. That wraps up my post on Cambodia and hope that others would find this entry useful.

Tags: Angkor Archaeological Park, Banteay Kdei, Banteay Samre, Cambodia, Neak Pean, Preah Khan, Siem Reap, Structures, Ta Som, Temples, Thommanon, UNESCO

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lagal[og] Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 5:27 pm

uy, ako ang unang mag-comment! this is very educational for me na nangangarap pumunta ng angkor wat. tfs bro!

travelphilippines Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 1:15 am

now im thinking bangkok or cambodia for angkor? hehehe haayyyy sana i can visit both…

carlotta Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 8:29 am

ang galing nung puno sa unang pic!

Kyels Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 10:07 am

Ferdz,

Approximately how many days do I need if I were to cover all the temples? Just want to know.

Sidney Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 11:22 am

It seems you saw them all and didn’t left a stone unseen.
Still very impressive temples and superb architecture!
You could make a book out of it.

Eric Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 4:31 pm

Cambodia is not a rich country nor the same economy just like what we have but they are blessed in ideas that brought them to put up temples which called the attentions of the international visitors.

Toe Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 5:44 pm

The first time I went to see the Angkor Temples, it was ooooh, aaaah! I was so amazed! The second time I went, it was still oooooh, aaaah! The third time… ho-hum! The fourth time… bato nanaman! Ayoko na ng bato!!!!

But really, you’ve seen so much more temples than I have.

CM Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 8:45 pm

I am so amazed with the temples. very artistic.

Cambodia » Blog Archives » Cambodia Reborn Says:
October 10th, 2007 at 8:44 am

[...] Cambodia: Off-the-Beaten Temples of Angkor Archaeological ParkFor my long overdue wrap-up post on Cambodia, I’d like to summarize some of the not-so-popular or off-the-beaten-path temples around the Angkor Archaeological Park which I think is worth some people’s look if they have extra time. … [...]

rhodora Says:
October 10th, 2007 at 11:40 am

Wow, look at that temple of Banteay Samre. Very elaborate, indeed!

Midas Says:
October 10th, 2007 at 2:43 pm

I have a classmate from Cambodia. She can speak 6 languages fluently. Her father is a curator at Louvre museum, but before that, he’s Cambonia’s ambassador. It’s fun listening to her. She really sucked at chemistry though…but brilliant with business. I can’t believe I still remember her after 10 years. Last I heard was her summer job as translator at UN.

barrycade Says:
October 10th, 2007 at 4:15 pm

subzero here; just made a new blog.

a friend just floated the idea of visiting cambodia, and so expect that i will point her to your blog. hahaha.

anyway, i agree with what you said about seeing temples over and over again. when i went to bangkok, i visited a couple of temples and after that, i thought i’ve seen them all.