Koh Ker Temple
Koh Ker Temple
4.5
About
Koh Ker, three hours from Siem Reap, served as the capital of the Khmer empire from 928 to 944, and was built under King Jayavarman IV under whose reign colossal sculptures and lingas were constructed, leading to charges of megalomania. Some of the lingas remain, though the sculptures have been removed to the museum in Phnom Penh. The site, which has only recently been demined, is dominated by Prasat Thom, a 30 meter high pyramid temple. In view of the distance, there are far fewer crowds here, making a visit an easier and more pastoral experience.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Plan your visit
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
1 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
373 reviews
Excellent
267
Very good
94
Average
7
Poor
4
Terrible
1
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
midway42
Georgia3,477 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
Located about 80 miles from Siem Reap, recent improvements in infrastructure have made this a day trip from the town. The area served as the singular capital of the Khmer Empire from 928 to 944CE under Kings Jayavarman IV and Harshavarman II and is vast by non-motorized standards; 42 structures dot a landscape of over 30 square kilometers. In just a few decades the area has gone from being one of the most heavily land mined in Cambodia to a being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list exactly a week before I posted this review. If a trip to Beng Mealea (see separate review) reminded me of Indiana Jones scaling unsteady temple ruins with a whip in his hand, a trip here was the rough equivalent of Indy running through the jungle while dodging poisonous blow-darts from painted indigenous tribes (not really, but you get the idea.)
I visited here on a day trip from Siem Reap after seeing Prasat Preah Vihear (see separate review) at the Cambodian border. My visit consisted of seeing maybe a half dozen structures, starting with Prasat Pram. These towers were entirely engulfed by strangler figs, making Ta Prohm seem well manicured. A climb up the seven stories of Prasat Thom followed, with sweeping views over the local countryside and slight trepidation about the descent down the skinny wooden stairs. A visit to a few smaller temples followed, with my guide explaining the various ongoing restoration processes. Total time onsite was maybe 90 minutes.
This was an above average visit for two main reasons: a complete lack of crowds and insight into archeological refurbishment. The former was perhaps less pronounced having just visited Preah Vihear, but welcome nonetheless. I literally had the entire seven-story temple to myself for the entire time which was an enjoyable respite from the moderate hustle and bustle of the Angkorian temples closer to Siem Reap. The latter was more due to my guide than any formal didactics, but I did get to see the amount of time and effort that goes into making a site “UNESCO worthy” which was impressive. The downside is somewhat obvious: access. It’s a bit off the beaten path but can be done for “only” a few hundred dollars with an independent guide via Tours By Locals.
Recommended.
I visited here on a day trip from Siem Reap after seeing Prasat Preah Vihear (see separate review) at the Cambodian border. My visit consisted of seeing maybe a half dozen structures, starting with Prasat Pram. These towers were entirely engulfed by strangler figs, making Ta Prohm seem well manicured. A climb up the seven stories of Prasat Thom followed, with sweeping views over the local countryside and slight trepidation about the descent down the skinny wooden stairs. A visit to a few smaller temples followed, with my guide explaining the various ongoing restoration processes. Total time onsite was maybe 90 minutes.
This was an above average visit for two main reasons: a complete lack of crowds and insight into archeological refurbishment. The former was perhaps less pronounced having just visited Preah Vihear, but welcome nonetheless. I literally had the entire seven-story temple to myself for the entire time which was an enjoyable respite from the moderate hustle and bustle of the Angkorian temples closer to Siem Reap. The latter was more due to my guide than any formal didactics, but I did get to see the amount of time and effort that goes into making a site “UNESCO worthy” which was impressive. The downside is somewhat obvious: access. It’s a bit off the beaten path but can be done for “only” a few hundred dollars with an independent guide via Tours By Locals.
Recommended.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HMKaren
Los Angeles, CA1,428 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Koh Ker has a few beautiful spots to see, but you also get to clime a pretty tall temple. There is a wooden staircase built at one corner of the temple, so it may look imposing, but it wasn't bad at all. But go early before it gets too hot and humid. The view was fantastic!
This temple is not included with the Angkor Ticket, it cost us $10 each. Koh Ker is 2 1/2 hours (110 km) northeast of Siem Reap---a bit of a drive, but we paired it with Beng Mealea (which was SPECTACULAR) to make the time more worth it. You can buy the Koh Ker ticket at Beng Melea. Really glad we went, we had a great day.
This temple is not included with the Angkor Ticket, it cost us $10 each. Koh Ker is 2 1/2 hours (110 km) northeast of Siem Reap---a bit of a drive, but we paired it with Beng Mealea (which was SPECTACULAR) to make the time more worth it. You can buy the Koh Ker ticket at Beng Melea. Really glad we went, we had a great day.
Written 11 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoyStormer
Guangzhou, China332 contributions
Jan 2020
After going to Angkor Wat, these temples and ruins cannot match up to size and scale. However, they are worth it because they are not as crowded, the trees growing all over the temples is more impressive, and it has a different feel to it somehow.
We intended to also go to Bang Melea but as of Jan 1, 2020 that is included in the Angkor Wat ticket and you cannot pay separately to get in. So we skipped that one and went here exclusively. We enjoyed it a lot and got some great pics! There were not many tourists because it takes about 2.5 hours to get here from Siem Reap.
There are also no good food options in the area so make sure to bring some stuff with you. We really enjoyed it here and if you have the time make sure to visit!
We intended to also go to Bang Melea but as of Jan 1, 2020 that is included in the Angkor Wat ticket and you cannot pay separately to get in. So we skipped that one and went here exclusively. We enjoyed it a lot and got some great pics! There were not many tourists because it takes about 2.5 hours to get here from Siem Reap.
There are also no good food options in the area so make sure to bring some stuff with you. We really enjoyed it here and if you have the time make sure to visit!
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kamaaina96822
Honolulu, HI887 contributions
Jul 2022
My Cambodian friend who is also an experienced guide arranged a visit to Koh Ker. The temple is the only tiered type in Cambodia, resembling more the structures one would find in Central America.
There's also one of the largest linga sculptures I've ever seen. Definitely unique and with panoramic view of the country side. Also virtually empty unlike Angkor Wat.
There's also one of the largest linga sculptures I've ever seen. Definitely unique and with panoramic view of the country side. Also virtually empty unlike Angkor Wat.
Written 23 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cramac
Sarnico, Italy1,758 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Koh Ker is not a temple but a city like Angkor Thom. The best known is the pyramid called Prasat Thom. Pretty. But Prasat Pram is even more so, with trees having taken over some of the towers. It takes two hours to get there from Siem Reap. An extra $15 ticket must be purchased. Is worth? Yes.

Written 22 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kopkhun
Berwyn, PA34 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
My wife I have visited Cambodia Angkor many times but this was our first visit Koh Ker. We should not have waited so long. Koh Ker is a gorgeous site that we think ranks with the best of Angkor. We were at times alone at the site and saw only a handful of visitors the entire visit. Go now if you can. With the development of the new airport we predict Koh Ker will draw tourists at the level Angkor Wat.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tangojohnDallas
Dallas, TX1,207 contributions
Jan 2020
This year's trip to Siem Reap was my fifth and I focused on more obscure temples including the Koh Ker complex. We hired a friend of my regular tuk driver who has an SUV and drove over 2 hours to get there. Our tuk driver came along since he had never been there and is all ways wanting to learn more. Amongst the temples we stopped I would guess we would only encounter the same 10 or so other tourists. We absolutely loved the solitude especially at the top of the pyramid where we were the only ones there. At the ticket booth we stopped at the huge restroom complex which I assume is planned for large tour groups but we were the only ones there..
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
And_Ros
170 contributions
Dec 2019
this is actually not a temple, but a whole archaeological site of the former Khmer capital. A bit off the beaten track, it includes the famous and a bit mysterious pyramid of Prasat Thom, which is the only pyramid-shaped temple of the area. Avoid the weekends and it's likely you'll find the site with little or no tourists at all
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PGPerth
Perth, Australia405 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
We arranged a driver to take us on an overnight trip to Preah Vihear and, to us, it was definitely worth the time and money. We left Siem Reap early in the morning and stopped at the Koh Ker complex which exceeded our expectations, particularly Prasat Pram which was just stunning with all the tree roots on the towers.
The beauty of the entire Koh Ker complex is that it has a feeling of being much less touristed that the more well known Angkor temples... the sense of adventure combined with the extraordinary beauty of the architecture is all amazing to experience. Most definitely worth the extra drive time.
If you’re looking for more inspiration to visit, check out our YouTube video on our channel ‘Greg and Peta Smith’... there’s also videos of Beng Melea and Preah Vihear too :)
The beauty of the entire Koh Ker complex is that it has a feeling of being much less touristed that the more well known Angkor temples... the sense of adventure combined with the extraordinary beauty of the architecture is all amazing to experience. Most definitely worth the extra drive time.
If you’re looking for more inspiration to visit, check out our YouTube video on our channel ‘Greg and Peta Smith’... there’s also videos of Beng Melea and Preah Vihear too :)
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cambodia Taxi By Mr Smarty
Siem Reap, Cambodia237 contributions
Jan 2020 • Business
This is Cambodia Pyramid . Called Prasat Thom located in Koh ker Temple group and Prasat Bram at Preah Vihear city. If you like to explore more and more ancient places and temple please come to visit this places you will never forget it.
High recommend
See you again
Smarty
High recommend
See you again
Smarty
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello:
Can you recommend a driver / guide for my visit to Siem Reap?
I'll be there in Mid-November which is a busy time of year.
Cheers,
Chip Haynes
Park City, Utah
Written 14 July 2018
another guide and driver, for second opinion. Young guy which his service I enjoyed. Mr Van Vireak.
He is in tripadvisor rank #5.
Written 24 July 2018
How much does a taxi cost from Siem Reap to Koh Ker (including Beg Mealea). I could find some guided tours from Siem Reap but they are upward of 200$
Written 26 May 2018
Try Van Vireak.
He is in tripadvisor rank #5. Contact him directly
Written 24 July 2018
What is the best time to visit Koh Ker for atmospheric lighting? Would you suggest morning or late afternoon?
Written 6 November 2017
The best time is around 8:00 am or 4:30 pm
Written 7 November 2017
Hi, read your comments about Koh Ker and would be interested to get the contact details of your guide and how much did you pay? I am scheduled to go there next week so hope to hear from your the soonest. Thanksss!!
Written 24 October 2015
Showing results 1-4 of 4
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing