Ta Prohm (filming site for Lara Croft's adventures in "Tomb Raider"

Ta Prohm is one of Angkor's most enchanting temples.  It was built in the 13th century by Jayavarman VII.  Although called a "monument", it feels more like a small city set within walls covering an area 600 by 1,000 meters.  The joy of Ta Prohm is that it has not been restored.  It has been largely taken over by time and trees... HUGE trees!  Fig, banyon, and kapok trees everywhere, growing out of buildings, on top of them, in between the stones and archways.  Their roots burst apart even the thickest of walls, yet their clinging embrace prevents the walls' collapse.  For all would-be Mouhots and closet Indiana Joneses, Ta Prohn is the perfect lost-temple-in-the-jungle!

Strangler figs, banyon and kapok trees entwine themselves around the ruins of Ta Prohm.

Banteay Kdei

Banteay Kdei, located south of Ta Prohm is another temple founded by Jayavarman VII.  It also has not be restored and allows the visitor to experience what it may have looked like originally.  Built of soft sandstone, many of the galleries and porches have collapsed.  Although in a poor state of repair, it features very attractive carvings.

Walled entrance	Doorway with lintel	Detailed carvings adorn the walls	Apsara dancers

Preah Khan (Jungle Temple

North-east of the walled city of Angkor Thom, is the 9th century complex of Preah Khan.  It is believed to have been a temporary residence of King Suryavarman VII during the 12th century.  The large temple is made of stone and is enclosed by huge walls and a surrounding moat.  Like Ta Prohm, Preah Kahn has been left to the jungle, whose giant trees and multi-colored fungus make a slow meal of the temple's stone corridors and rooms.  Between the two, we found Ta Prohm to be more "dramatic", but Preah Kahn is just as fascinating in its own right.

Surrounded by laterite walls and moat

Still with us?  If you've made it this far, you might as well see the rest.  More goodies to follow on the 3rd and final page (whew!)... Don't miss out!