East Mebon
មេបុណ្យខាងកើត
A 10th-century Hindu temple built on an island in the middle of the East Baray. Its life-size stone elephants guarding the four corners are its trademark.
East Mebon was built in 952 under Rajendravarman II and is dedicated to Shiva. It originally stood on an artificial island in the middle of the East Baray and could only be reached by boat. The reservoir has long since dried up into rice fields.
The temple is built of laterite platforms, brick towers and sandstone lintels. At each corner of its three-tiered base stands a life-size stone elephant, the most popular subject for photos. The five brick towers still retain some stucco decoration and fine lintel carvings. From the top, you can look out over the surrounding rice paddies.
The temple lies about 7 km north of Pre Rup and is usually visited before or after Pre Rup on the Grand Circuit. It requires an Angkor Pass (US$37 for 1 day, US$62 for 3 days, US$72 for 7 days).
Opening hours
07:30–17:30