Ta Prohm is one of Angkor’s most iconic temples—famous for its ancient stone walls wrapped in giant tree roots. Built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, it was originally a Buddhist monastery and university.
Today, Ta Prohm stands in the perfect balance of nature and ruins. Massive silk-cotton and strangler fig trees rise above the temple, while vines and moss cling to carvings that have survived centuries of jungle growth. Its mystical atmosphere makes it one of the most memorable sites in Angkor.
Built: Late 12th century (Jayavarman VII)
Style: Bayon-style Buddhist temple
Famous For: Trees growing on the temple, “Tomb Raider Temple”
Structure: Large flat-plan temple with many galleries
Best Time to Visit: Early morning (7–8 AM)
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Visit Time: 1–1.5 hours
Atmosphere: Quiet in early morning; busy after 9 AM
I visited Ta Prohm in December 2025 by Honda Scoopy scooter, leaving from Siem Reap city and arriving at the temple around 7 AM. Normally, most visitors enter from the West Gate, but this time I chose to start from the East Gate even though it was still under renovation.
The early morning is my favorite time to visit—there’s almost no crowd, and the weather is cool and fresh. On this visit, the sky was clear, and the sunlight created beautiful rays reflecting on the temple walls and the massive roots growing over them.
I especially enjoy coming here between November and December:
The weather is pleasant
The ponds are calm with still water
Leaves are green and fresh
Some trees start turning orange and yellow
By January–February, many leaves will fall due to the dry season
The combination of soft light, cool air, and colorful foliage made this morning visit one of my best Ta Prohm experiences.
Ta Prohm was built by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and dedicated to his mother. It was originally named Rajavihara and once housed more than 12,000 people including monks, dancers, and workers.
Unlike most temples that have been fully restored, Ta Prohm has been intentionally left much as it was found—partly collapsed, overtaken by jungle roots, and full of natural charm. This “conserved ruin” approach makes it feel like a time capsule from the 12th century.
Ta Prohm offers one of Angkor’s most atmospheric explorations. Its layout is a maze of corridors, courtyards, and galleries.
Key Architectural Elements
Tree-Wrapped Towers: Iconic silk-cotton and strangler fig trees rising from temple walls.
Long Galleries: Covered hallways with beautiful carvings and broken stone blocks.
Central Sanctuary: The spiritual core of the temple.
Stone Reliefs: Carvings of apsaras, devatas, and Buddhist symbols.
Photogenic Light: In early morning, sunbeams shine through the trees onto the ruins.
Giant Roots: Some roots look like flowing rivers of stone wrapped around the temple.
Because much of Ta Prohm is left unrestored, visitors can still feel the raw atmosphere of nature reclaiming ancient Angkor.
Ta Prohm is located on the Eastern side of Angkor Thom and is part of the Small Circuit.
Nearby Attractions
Ta Keo – A massive 10th-century mountain temple made entirely of sandstone.
Thommanon – A well-preserved temple with beautiful devata carvings.
Chau Say Tevoda – 12th-century temple showcasing graceful Khmer architecture.
Ta Nei – A quiet, hidden jungle temple perfect for photography.
Srah Srang – A royal reservoir known for sunrise reflections.
All of these sites fit well into a morning or cycling tour around the Small Circuit.
Q1: What is the best time to visit Ta Prohm?
Early morning between 7–8 AM to avoid crowds and get beautiful soft light.
Q2: Can I enter from both gates?
The West Gate is the main entrance. The East Gate may be under renovation but can sometimes be accessed through guided routes.
Q3: Is Ta Prohm crowded?
Yes after 9 AM. Early morning is peaceful.
Q4: Why is it called the “Tomb Raider Temple”?
The temple appeared in the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, making it world famous.
Q5: How far is it from Siem Reap?
Around 25–30 minutes by tuk-tuk or 30–45 minutes by scooter or bicycle.
Address: Psar Deum Kralanh. Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Open Hours: Mon – Sun | 08:00 – 20:30
Tel: +855 10 621 842
Email: info@victorangkorrides.com
