About
Preah Khan is a temple complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia, set within the Angkor Archaeological Park. It was built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, and it originally served as a Buddhist monastery and university. Its name is also rendered as Sacred Sword.
What to expect
The ruins spread across 56 hectares, so this is a site best approached at an unhurried pace. Visitors move through a series of galleries and courtyards, many of them partly overgrown, which gives the place a quieter feel than some of the more crowded temples nearby. Walking between the enclosures, you can get a sense of how the complex was laid out as a place of learning and worship.
Planning your visit
- Location: Angkor Archaeological Park, Krong Siem Reap 17000, Cambodia
- Contact: +855 63 760 079
- Time needed: allow a good part of a morning or afternoon to see the main courtyards and galleries at a relaxed pace
Because the site is large and much of it is open to the sun, bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and dress sensibly for visiting a sacred place. Many visitors combine Preah Khan with other temples in the park, which are reached easily from the town of Siem Reap.
