

Year Built
Late 12th-early 13th century CE
Period
Medieval Period
Architectural Style
Khmer Mahayana Buddhist Monastery Architecture with Indian Buddhist and Hindu Iconographic Influences
Built By
King Jayavarman VII
Material Used
Sandstone, Laterite, Lime Mortar, Metal, Wood
Heritage Status
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ta Prohm, dramatically enveloped by the Cambodian jungle with massive tree roots intertwining with ancient stone structures, represents one of the most atmospheric and visually striking temple complexes in Southeast Asia, constructed in the late 12th and early 13th centuries CE during the reign of King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university that retained extensive Shaiva (Shiva-worshipping) iconography, creating a powerful testament to the sophisticated religious syncretism that characterized Khmer religious practices and the continued transmission of Indian Buddhist and Hindu traditions to Southeast Asia. The temple complex, originally covering over 60 hectares and serving as a major center of Buddhist learning that housed over 12,000 people including monks, students, and support staff, features extraordinary architectural elements that demonstrate the synthesis of Indian Buddhist monastery architecture with Khmer building techniques, while the temple's extensive decorative programs including numerous devatas, apsaras, and mythological scenes demonstrate the sophisticated understanding of both Indian Buddhist and Hindu iconography possessed by Khmer artists. The temple's most remarkable feature is its current state, intentionally left largely unrestored by conservation authorities to preserve the dramatic visual effect of massive silk-cotton and strangler fig trees growing through and over the stone structures, creating a powerful symbiosis between nature and architecture that has made it one of the most photographed and iconic temples in Cambodia, while this preservation approach demonstrates the sophisticated understanding of the site's aesthetic and historical significance. Archaeological evidence reveals that the temple served as both a major center of Mahayana Buddhist learning and a repository of Shaiva iconography, demonstrating the remarkable religious syncretism that characterized Khmer religious practices, while the discovery of numerous inscriptions provides crucial evidence of the site's role in the transmission of Indian Buddhist and Hindu texts and practices to Southeast Asia. The temple's architectural layout, with its central sanctuary surrounded by multiple enclosures, libraries, and numerous smaller structures, follows sophisticated Indian Buddhist monastery planning principles that were systematically transmitted from the great monastic centers of India, while the temple's extensive decorative programs including scenes from Hindu mythology demonstrate the ways in which Indian religious traditions were integrated into Khmer Buddhist practice. Today, Ta Prohm stands as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and represents one of the most visually striking temples in Southeast Asia, serving as a powerful testament to the transmission of Indian Buddhist and Hindu culture to Southeast Asia, while ongoing archaeological research and conservation efforts continue to protect and study this extraordinary cultural treasure that demonstrates the profound impact of Indian civilization on Southeast Asian religious and artistic traditions. ([1][2])
Ta Prohm was constructed in the late 12th and early 13th centuries CE by King Jayavarman VII. The temple served as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university with Shaiva iconography. The site was inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992. Ongoing conservation efforts maintain the "jungle temple" aesthetic. ([1][2])
French École Française d'Extrême-Orient, UNESCO, APSARA Authority, Archaeological Survey of India


Extensive archaeological excavations, documentation, structural stabilization, and selective conservation work.
Archaeological excavations; documentation; structural stabilization; selective restoration; ongoing conservation maintaining jungle aesthetic. ([1][2])
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Construction utilized sandstone blocks fitted together without mortar. The temple employed corbelled vaulting adapted from Indian temple architecture. The foundation system utilized compacted earth platforms. Decorative elements including bas-reliefs and sculptures were carved directly into sandstone. ([1][2])
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The structural system employs sandstone block construction with corbelled vaulting. ([1][2])
13.434700, 103.889700
{"notes":"Jungle temple; wear appropriate footwear; respect archaeological remains; tree roots create uneven surfaces; photography popular.","restrooms":"Available at visitor facilities.","wheelchair_accessible":"Limited due to tree roots and uneven terrain."}
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Early morning (7:30-9:00 AM) for best lighting and fewer crowds; late afternoon (4:00-5:30 PM) for dramatic shadows; dry season (November-March) for comfortable weather.
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Respect archaeological remains; do not climb on structures; follow designated pathways; photography allowed; be careful around tree roots.
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Yes
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2025-11-09T09:27:25.383235+00:00
Medieval Period
Siem Reap
Khmer Mahayana Buddhist Monastery Architecture with Indian Buddhist and Hindu Iconographic Influences
UNESCO Site
Ta Prohm Siem Reap Cambodia is a historic Monastery located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This Khmer Mahayana Buddhist Monastery Architecture with Indian Buddhist and Hindu Iconographic Influences architectural masterpiece was built during the Medieval Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of Cambodia. Ta Prohm, dramatically enveloped by the Cambodian jungle with massive tree roots intertwining with ancient stone structures, represents one of the most atmospheric and visually striking temple complex...
| ៛Entry Fee | 1-day pass: USD 37; 3-day pass: USD 62; 7-day pass: USD 72; Cambodian nationals: Free. |
| 🕐Opening Hours | Dawn to Dusk (6 AM - 6 PM) |
| 📅Best Time to Visit | October to March (Winter) |
| ⏱️Duration | 2-3 hours |
| ♿Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
| 📸Photography | Allowed (No flash) |
Check opening hours and entry fees for Ta Prohm Siem Reap Cambodia. Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
Ta Prohm Siem Reap Cambodia is located in Ta Prohm, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, Siem Reap. The nearest major city is Ta Prohm. Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 13.4347, 103.8897.
Entry fee: 1-day pass: USD 37; 3-day pass: USD 62; 7-day pass: USD 72; Cambodian nationals: Free.. Follow dress code for religious sites. Photography is allowed. Maintain silence and respect the heritage.
Allocate 2-3 hours to fully explore Ta Prohm Siem Reap Cambodia. Key areas to visit include the main sanctum, pillared halls, and intricate carvings. Consider hiring a local guide for detailed insights.
Construction of Ta Prohm Siem Reap Cambodia by King Jayavarman VII
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under UNESCO World Heritage Site
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation