Temples of Siem Reap -- Preah Khan, Neak Poan and Pre Rup
Preah Khan (圣剑寺)
As we continued our "temple hopping" in Siem Reap, we visited Preah Khan or the "Royal Sword" temple. This is a temple built in the 12th century, with a rectangular and symmetric design that has many crisscrossing galleries.
(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
Preah Khan
Preah Khan
The temple is partially restored. Among the crumbling walls, as usual, there are many intricate carvings.
Preah Khan
Preah Khan
Preah Khan
There is a Stupa at the center of the temple, which receives direct sunlight at a certain hour.
Stupa at Preah Khan
Hidden in the galleries are several statues, including this one of one of the sister wives of the king who built the temple.
Statue at Preah Khan
Just outside the temple, the library building is in ruins, but hasn't lost its grandeur.
Preah Khan Library
This is one of the nagas at Preah Khan.
Naga at Preah Khan
Many birds were busily flying over the water, I picked up a few new birds in rapid succession (the four birds shown below were all new to me).
Preah Khan
Neak Poan (涅盘宫)
Neak Poan, or Neak Pean, is very unique -- it is a Buddhist temple situated on an artificial island in the middle of an artificial lake, Jayatataka Baray. You have to walk across the lake on a causeway to reach it.
Jayatataka Baray
As temples go in Siem Reap, Neak Poan is a small one. But its surrounding made it very interesting, and because of the lake and marsh habitat, we saw quite a bit of wildlife here (see the wildlife page for more).
Neak Poan
Neak Poan
Some of the statues, such as this "flying horse", are partially submerged.
Horse Statue
Pre Rup (比粒寺)
Pre Rup is one of the older Hindu temples (dedicated in 961 or early 962) and it is a "temple mountain" or pyramid that requires a little bit of climb. Like its contemporary, Banteay Srei, it is constructed of red sandstone which gives it rich colors.
Pre Rup Temple
As we climbed to the top of the temple, we gained fine views of the surrounding countryside. There are multiple towers at different levels of the temple complex.
Pre Rup Temple
Pre Rup Temple
Pre Rup Temple
Pre Rup Temple
Pre Rup Temple
A tower at Pre Rup Temple framed within a ruined doorway.
Pre Rup Temple
