Attraction
Angkor Wat
Suryavarman II's 12th-century temple to Vishnu, the largest religious monument in the world and the centrepiece of the Angkor World Heritage Site.
Ta Prohm
Jayavarman VII's monastery temple of 1186, left partly in the grip of giant silk-cotton and strangler fig trees and famous from the film Tomb Raider.
At a glance
- Type
- Jungle temple
- Area
- Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Official site
- angkorenterprise.gov.kh
Good to know
- Angkor Pass required
- Wooden walkways
- Tree-covered ruins
Why we recommend it
Ta Prohm is the temple where nature and architecture meet head on. Built by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery, it was originally called Rajavihara, the Royal Monastery, and its foundation stele is dated 1186. The main image honoured the king's mother in the form of Prajnaparamita, the personification of wisdom, while smaller shrines were dedicated to his guru and his elder brother.
Unlike most of the major temples, Ta Prohm has been left largely in the grip of the forest, and the result is extraordinary. Huge silk-cotton and strangler fig trees grow out of the galleries, their roots pouring over walls and prising apart blocks of sandstone. Narrow corridors, collapsed towers and piles of carved stones create a mood quite unlike the ordered grandeur of Angkor Wat.
The temple's scale was once enormous. Its inscription records that more than 12,500 people lived on the site, including 18 high priests and 615 dancers, with around 80,000 more in surrounding villages supplying it, and it lists treasures of gold, pearls and silks. Today the layout is a flat temple of five enclosures oriented to the east, and only the east and west entrances are open. Restoration work by the Archaeological Survey of India and the APSARA authority has stabilised much of the complex, and wooden walkways and railings now guide visitors and protect the stone.
Ta Prohm became world famous after scenes for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider were filmed here in 2001, and its tree roots draw a steady stream of photographers. To avoid the worst of the crowds, go early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Allow about an hour, follow the walkways and signs, and keep off fragile structures and roots. The temple is covered by the Angkor Pass.
Ta Prohm lies east of Angkor Thom, so it combines naturally with Angkor Wat and the Bayon on the same day. Families and photographers tend to love it most, as the atmosphere appeals even to visitors who are tiring of temples. If you have a guide, ask them to point out the carvings that survive among the roots, since they are easy to overlook while you are looking up at the trees.
Ta Prohm FAQs
Why is Ta Prohm covered in trees?
Unlike most major temples it has been left largely unrestored, so silk-cotton and strangler fig trees still grow through its walls and galleries.
Was Tomb Raider filmed at Ta Prohm?
Yes. Scenes for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider were filmed here in 2001, which earned it the nickname Tomb Raider Temple.
Do I need an Angkor Pass?
Yes, Ta Prohm is in the main Angkor park and is covered by the standard Angkor Pass.
When was it built?
King Jayavarman VII founded it as a Buddhist monastery, and its foundation stele is dated 1186.
Which entrances can visitors use?
Only the east and west entrances are currently accessible.
When is the best time to visit?
Early morning or late afternoon, when the crowds around the famous tree roots are smaller.
How long should I allow?
About an hour is enough to walk the main route along the wooden walkways.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, children usually enjoy the trees and ruins, but keep them on the walkways and away from unstable stones.