Preah Khan
ព្រះខ័ន
A large temple city built by Jayavarman VII in memory of his father, with long galleries, stone gates wrapped in tree roots and an unusual two-storey stone building.
Preah Khan was built in 1191 by Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery to honour his father. It also served as a temporary royal residence and a Buddhist university. Inscriptions record that thousands of monks and dancers once lived here.
Rows of low gallery gateways run along an east–west axis, with light and shadow building up layer by layer. Some walls are wrapped in giant tree roots, and fallen stones pile up, preserving a half-ruined, raw atmosphere. A two-storey stone building with round columns on the east side is extremely rare in Angkor architecture.
The temple lies about 2 km outside the north gate of Angkor Thom and is the first stop on the Grand Circuit. It requires an Angkor Pass (US$37 for 1 day, US$62 for 3 days, US$72 for 7 days). It is recommended to enter from the west gate and exit through the east gate, where your driver waits for you.
Opening hours
07:30–17:30
Nearby sights
- Thommanon
- Chau Say Tevoda
- Ta Keo
- Terrace of the Elephants & Terrace of the Leper King
- Neak Pean
- Baphuon
- Bayon Temple / Angkor Thom
- Ta Prohm