Dotted across Cambodia’s forests and tangled jungles lie exquisite stone temples cloaked in mystery. These crumbling monuments harken back to the mighty Khmer Empire, which ruled a vast territory including present-day Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam from the 9th to 15th centuries. Let’s explore the ancient Khmer temples engulfed by vegetation and hidden gems awaiting discovery.
Angkor Wat: Cambodia’s Famed Temple City
No discussion of Cambodia’s temples is complete without the incomparable Angkor Wat. Built in the 12th century, this architectural masterpiece is the world’s largest religious structure, sprawling across 402 acres. Its beguiling towers and stone corridors decorated with thousands of heavenly apsara dancers epitomize Khmer temple style. Surrounded by jungle and moat, Angkor Wat symbolizes the grandeur of Khmer civilization at its zenith.
While hugely popular, Angkor Wat is merely one of dozens of intriguing Khmer temples interspersed among tangled vines and soaring kapok trees in the surrounding jungles. Venturing beyond Angkor Wat rewards intrepid explorers with a journey into Cambodia’s mystical past.
Beng Mealea: The Jungle-Engulfed Temple
About one hour from Angkor lies Beng Mealea, the very definition of a lost jungle temple. Largely unrestored, its crumbling walls and lichen-encrusted ruins are almost indistinguishable from nature. Labyrinthine piles of mammoth sandstone blocks, colonnades consumed by strangler figs, and hidden crypts await discovery. The Indiana Jones aura is palpable at Beng Mealea, perfect for venturing deep into untamed jungle. The maze-like layout and precarious cliffs turn exploring Beng Mealea into a true adventure, making a visit unforgettable.
Koh Ker: Abandoned Jungle Capital
Koh Ker was briefly Cambodia’s capital under King Jayavarman IV in the 10th century, before the court moved to Angkor. Today, its incredible ruins stand forlornly amid jungle solitude. Here you’ll find a seven-tiered stepped pyramid of staggering proportions along with shrines, temples and breathtaking sculpture. With monkeys and birdlife your only companions, Koh Ker captures the mystery of bygone Khmer glory. Remember to pause and take in the spectacular views of Prasat Thom pyramid rising above the forest.
Preah Vihear: Cliffside Temple in the Clouds
Perched dramatically atop a cliff on Cambodia’s northern border lies the mountaintop temple of Preah Vihear. Its precarious hilltop location offers phenomenal vistas over Cambodia’s forests. While access is difficult, the temple’s remote setting amps up the adventure. The climb is rewarded with wandering this ancient complex seemingly frozen in time high above the mists. Look for exquisite carvings of mythical creatures adorning the upper levels.
Off the Beaten Path Gems
Beyond the main complexes await dozens more lost temples like Banteay Chhmar, Preah Khan, and Ta Prohm hiding among the wilderness. With names like “Citadel of the Cats” and “Jungle Temple,” these secluded ruins thrill history buffs and nature lovers alike. Forded rivers, bumpy ox-cart rides, and employing local guides are often required to uncover Cambodia’s remote temple treasures.
Cambodia’s ancient Khmer legacy lives on through these temples subsumed by jungle. Immersing in the mysteries within their crumbling walls offers transporting perspectives into the past. Lose yourself in the magic, myths and grandeur of the Khmer Empire by exploring Cambodia’s temple treasures.
