A List of Ancient Khmer Temples Throughout Cambodia, Organized by Province
A List of Ancient Khmer Temples Throughout Cambodia, Organized by Province
Cambodia is a country with a rich ancient civilization and thousands of ancient temples and archaeological remains dating back to the Funan, Chenla, and Khmer Empire periods.
Before listing the temples, it is important to clarify the estimated numbers:
More than 4,000
Historical temples throughout the country
According to an interview with the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts in 2022.
More than 6,600
Ancient and historical sites of all types
These include temples, ancient canals, roads, religious sites, reservoirs, and other archaeological remains.
These figures do not mean that Cambodia has an exact, fully discovered and officially registered number of temples. Archaeological research, including the use of LiDAR technology, continues to identify additional ancient sites.
Note: The following is a selection of important temples and well-known archaeological sites. It is not a complete official inventory of all the thousands of ancient sites in Cambodia. The list is organized by capital city and province for easier study.
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1. Phnom Penh Capital
Important ancient temples and historical structures:
- Wat Phnom – Daun Penh District.
- The Silver Pagoda (Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morakot) – Royal Palace.
- Historical structures at Wat Ounalom – Daun Penh District.
- Historical structures at Wat Botum Vattey – Chamkar Mon District.
2. Siem Reap Province
Siem Reap is one of Cambodia's provinces with the greatest concentration of ancient temples, particularly in the Angkor region.
Important temples include:
- Angkor Wat – Siem Reap.
- Bayon Temple – Angkor Thom.
- Baphuon Temple – Angkor Thom.
- Phimeanakas Temple – Angkor Thom.
- Banteay Kdei Temple – Angkor region.
- Ta Prohm Temple – Angkor region.
- Preah Khan Temple – Angkor region.
- Neak Pean Temple – Angkor region.
- Ta Som Temple – Angkor region.
- Pre Rup Temple – Angkor region.
- Banteay Srei Temple – Banteay Srei District.
- Beng Mealea Temple – Svay Leu District.
- East Mebon Temple – Angkor region.
- West Mebon Temple – Angkor region.
- Phnom Bakheng Temple – Angkor region.
- Phnom Krom Temple – Siem Reap.
- Phnom Bok Temple – Prasat Bakong District.
- Ta Keo Temple – Angkor region.
- Chau Say Tevoda Temple – Angkor region.
- Thommanon Temple – Angkor region.
- Banteay Samre Temple – Angkor region.
- Lolei Temple – Roluos Group.
- Preah Ko Temple – Roluos Group.
- Bakong Temple – Roluos Group.
- Ak Yum Temple – Angkor region.
Note: Phnom Chisor Temple is not located in Siem Reap Province. Koh Ker Temple is also not located in Siem Reap Province.
References: "APSARA National Authority" (https://apsaraauthority.gov.kh/temples/) and "The Map Cambodia – Siem Reap Temples" (https://themapcambodia.com/en/siem-reap/temples).
3. Preah Vihear Province
Important temples include:
- Temple of Preah Vihear – Choam Khsant District.
- Koh Ker Temple – Kulen District.
- Prasat Thom – Koh Ker archaeological area.
- Prasat Neang Khmau – Koh Ker area.
- Prasat Ling – Koh Ker area.
- Prasat Pram – Koh Ker area.
- Prasat Damrei – Koh Ker area.
- Prasat Chen – Koh Ker area.
- Kuk Pros Temple – Preah Vihear Province.
- Kuk Srei Temple – Preah Vihear Province.
- Trapeang Prasat Temple – Preah Vihear Province.
- Chau Kham Mon Temple – Preah Vihear Province.
- Kantop Temple – Preah Vihear Province.
- Kat Kdei Temple – Preah Vihear Province.
- Prasat Preah Khan of Kompong Svay – Preah Vihear Province.
4. Kampong Thom Province
Kampong Thom is an important historical region associated with the Chenla period and the ancient city of Isanapura.
Important temples include:
- Sambor Prei Kuk – Prasat Sambour District.
- Prasat Tao – Sambor Prei Kuk area.
- Yeay Poan Temple – Sambor Prei Kuk area.
- Prasat Srei – Sambor Prei Kuk area.
- Prasat Sambor – Sambor Prei Kuk area.
- Prasat Andet – Kampong Svay District.
- Prasat Kuh Nokor – Baray District.
- Phnom Santuk Temple – Prasat Balangk District.
- Prasat Krapeu – Sambor Prei Kuk area.
- Prasat Dei Doh – Sambor Prei Kuk area.
5. Takeo Province
Takeo has a very long history. It was part of the ancient Funan civilization and contains the archaeological area of Angkor Borei.
Important temples include:
- Phnom Da Temple – Angkor Borei District.
- Ashram Maharishi Temple – Phnom Da area.
- Phnom Chisor Temple – Bati District.
- Ta Prohm Temple – Tonle Bati area.
- Yeay Peau Temple – Tonle Bati area.
- Neang Khmau Temple – Samraong District.
- Ta Keo Temple – Bati District.
- Phnom Ta Mao Temple – Bati District.
- Preah Theat Temple – Angkor Borei area.
- Ta Nhean Temple (Eastern site) – Takeo Province.
6. Kampong Cham Province
Important temples and archaeological sites include:
- Wat Nokor Bachey Temple – Kampong Cham City.
- Banteay Prei Nokor – Kampong Cham Province.
- Kuk Yeay Ham Temple – Kampong Cham Province.
- Preah Theat Temple – Kampong Cham area.
- Phnom Han Chey – Kampong Siem District.
7. Tboung Khmum Province
- Preah Theat Toch Temple – Tboung Khmum Province.
- Preah Theat Khtum Temple – Tboung Khmum Province.
- Several ancient mound and archaeological sites in Ponhea Krek District and surrounding areas require further verification through heritage records.
Note: Phnom Han Chey is generally associated with Kampong Cham Province. Its administrative location should be verified before assigning it to Tboung Khmum Province.
8. Banteay Meanchey Province
Important temples include:
- Banteay Chhmar Temple – Thma Puok District.
- Banteay Torp Temple – Banteay Meanchey Province.
- Phnom Bak Temple – Serei Saophoan City.
- Kong Va Temple – Banteay Meanchey Province.
- Kok Koh Temple – Banteay Meanchey Province.
- Yeay Chob Temple – Banteay Meanchey Province.
- Banteay Neang Temple – Banteay Meanchey area.
9. Battambang Province
Important temples include:
- Wat Ek Phnom Temple – Ek Phnom District.
- Phnom Banan Temple – Banan District.
- Baset Temple – Battambang area.
- Sneng Temple – Banan District.
- Phnom Sampeau Temple – Battambang area.
- Anlong Pring Temple – Battambang area.
10. Oddar Meanchey Province
Important temples include:
- Banteay Ampil Temple – Oddar Meanchey Province.
- Ta Muen Thom Temple – near the Thailand border.
- Ta Muen Toch Temple – near the border.
- Ta Krabey Temple – near the border.
- Chau Srei Vibol Temple – Oddar Meanchey area.
11. Additional Sites in Kampong Cham and Surrounding Areas
This province and its surrounding region contain other ancient structures and religious sites, including:
- Preah Theat Basrei Temple.
- Phnom Pros Temple.
- Phnom Srei Temple.
12. Kampong Chhnang Province
Important sites include:
- Phnom Neang Kong Rey – Rolea B'ier District.
- Phnom Toch Temple – Kampong Chhnang area.
- Phnom Krang Dei Meas archaeological site – Kampong Chhnang area.
13. Kampong Speu Province
Important sites and areas for further research include:
- Phnom Aural Temple area – Aural Mountain region.
- Preah Theat Temple – Kampong Speu area.
- Phnom Trengil archaeological site – Kampong Speu area.
14. Kandal Province
Important sites and areas for further research include:
- Phnom Preah Sith Temple – Kandal Province.
- Rong Temple – Kandal area.
- Vihara Sour Temple – Khsach Kandal District.
- Phnom Oudong historical religious complex – Oudong area.
- Srei Santhor historical area – surrounding region.
15. Prey Veng Province
Important sites and areas for further research include:
- Preah Theat Temple – Prey Veng Province.
- Preah Sdech Temple – Prey Veng area.
- Ancient sites in Ba Phnom District.
- Important archaeological locations around Peam Chor and nearby areas.
16. Svay Rieng Province
Important sites and areas for further research include:
- Preah Theat Temple – Svay Rieng Province.
- Ancient temple sites in Svay Teap area.
- Archaeological sites in Romeas Haek area.
17. Kampot Province
Important temples and archaeological sites include:
- Phnom Chhngok Temple – Tuek Chhou District.
- Phnom Kbal Romeas Temple – Kampot Province.
- Phnom Sorsia Temple – Kampot Province.
- Phnom Vour archaeological area – Kampot region.
18. Kep Province
- Ancient sites and old religious structures in the Phnom Vour area.
- Historical heritage buildings from the colonial period in Kep City.
Note: Colonial-era buildings are historical heritage structures, not ancient Khmer temples.
19. Preah Sihanouk Province
Areas for further historical and archaeological research include:
- Ancient sites in the Ream area.
- Old historical structures in Sihanoukville.
- Some ancient religious sites in coastal areas.
20. Koh Kong Province
Areas for further research include:
- Ancient sites in the Cardamom Mountains.
- Old religious structures in Koh Kong.
- Archaeological locations along rivers and coastal areas.
21. Pursat Province
Areas for further research include:
- Wat Bakan historical and religious site – Pursat Province.
- Ancient sites in the Phnom Dei area.
- Archaeological locations in Veal Veng District.
22. Kratie Province
Areas for further research include:
- Preah Theat Temple – Kratie Province.
- Ancient structures in Chhlong area.
- Historical sites around Kratie.
23. Stung Treng Province
Areas for further research include:
- Ancient sites along the Mekong River.
- Old religious structures in Siem Pang area.
- Historical sites in Thala Barivat area.
24. Mondulkiri Province
Areas for further research include:
- Ancient sites around Sen Monorom.
- Indigenous cultural heritage sites.
- Old religious structures in mountainous areas.
25. Ratanakiri Province
Areas for further research include:
- Ancient sites around Banlung.
- Historical locations in Andoung Meas area.
- Indigenous cultural heritage sites.
26. Other Provinces and Areas Requiring Further Research
Some areas contain ancient structures and traces of past civilizations, but reliable temple lists have not yet been fully verified. Therefore, these locations should not automatically be counted as confirmed ancient temples.
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The Importance of Studying Cambodia’s Ancient Temples
Research into Cambodia’s ancient temples should consider the following major historical periods:
Historical Period| Main Characteristics
Funan Period| Ancient civilization in the southern part of Cambodia and the Mekong region.
Chenla Period| Development of brick and stone temple architecture.
Angkor Period| Construction of monumental temples and large religious complexes.
Post-Angkor Period| Continued use and development of religious structures.
Modern Period| Archaeological research, restoration, and heritage conservation.
References for Further Research
- "Cambodia Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts" (https://mcfa.gov.kh/tangible-cultural-heritage/) – Information about Cambodia’s national cultural heritage.
- "APSARA National Authority" (https://apsaraauthority.gov.kh/temples/) – Information about the temples and history of Angkor.
- "Hello Angkor" (https://helloangkor.com/beyond-angkor-cambodias-remote-ancient-temple-sites/) – Information about temples in different regions of Cambodia.
- "Cambodianess: Cambodia Has More Than 6,600 Ancient Sites" (https://www.cambodianess.com/index.php/article/cambodia-has-more-than-6600-ancient-sites) – An interview with the Minister of Culture discussing the number of temples and ancient sites.
- "UNESCO World Heritage – Cambodia" (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/kh/) – Cambodia’s World Heritage properties.
Accuracy and Research Note
This list is a starting point for educational research. It is not a complete official inventory of all ancient temples across Cambodia’s provinces.
Some names refer to religious buildings or archaeological locations rather than confirmed ancient temples. Their names, locations, dates, and historical classifications should be checked against official heritage records and archaeological research before being published as verified facts.