Preah Khan

Preah Khan is a vast 12th-century temple complex built by the Khmer king Jayavarman VII, who also built the more famous Bayon and Ta Prohm. Constructed around 1191 CE, it served as both a Buddhist monastery and a city in its own right — home to thousands of priests, teachers, and dancers. The name means 'Sacred Sword,' and the temple was dedicated to Jayavarman's father. Unlike Angkor Wat, which is heavily restored and polished for visitors, Preah Khan has been left in a state of deliberate, managed semi-ruin, giving it a raw, atmospheric quality that feels far less curated.

Walking through Preah Khan is an adventure in the truest sense. The temple sprawls across a large area with multiple enclosures, and it rewards wanderers — long colonnaded corridors with carved devatas lining the walls, doorways stacked in receding frames like a hall of mirrors, and enormous strangler figs splitting ancient stones with their roots. One of the most photographed spots is the two-storey round-columned structure near the eastern entrance, architecturally unique for Angkor, with no confirmed purpose. You enter through a grand processional avenue lined with gods and demons clasping a naga serpent, and the whole complex feels like it's still being slowly reclaimed by the jungle.

Preah Khan is included in the standard Angkor Archaeological Park pass, so no separate ticket is needed. It's far less crowded than Angkor Wat or Ta Prohm, especially in the morning. The site has multiple entrance points — the western gopura is the most common starting point, but entering from the east offers a longer processional experience. Sturdy shoes are essential, as the floors are uneven and rubble is common. Early morning light is exceptional here.