East Mebon Archaeological Site

Address: East Mebon, Angkor archaeological area, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Website: https://www.apsaraauthority.gov.kh/

Hours: Daily 5:00am-6:00pm (Angkor Archaeological Park hours)

Admission: Angkor archaeological site ticket required (varies: 1-day/3-day/7-day passes available through APSARA Authority)

East Mebon is a 10th-century Angkorian temple built on an artificial island in the centre of the East Baray reservoir. The monument dates to the mid-900s AD and is part of the wider Angkor temple group in Siem Reap province.

Architecturally it follows the Angkorian island-temple layout with a square platform, a central sanctuary and corner towers; stone elephant sculptures and guardian figures are prominent decorative features. The temple was originally surrounded by water when the East Baray was in use and remains notable for its carved sandstone details.

East Mebon was commissioned during the reign of King Rajendravarman and sits east of the core Angkor group, close to other 10th- and 11th-century temples such as Pre Rup. The temple is reached by road from the Angkor archaeological zone in Siem Reap province.

• 10th-century island temple: Constructed in the 10th century during the reign of King Rajendravarman, it originally stood on an island at the centre of the East Baray reservoir.

What to See#

• Central sanctuary: The central sanctuary sits on a square platform and is flanked by corner towers, the typical island-temple plan used at Angkor in the 10th century.
• Elephant sculptures: Stone elephant sculptures and guardian figures that decorated the temple and its corners, many of which remain in situ around the platform.
• Causeway and approach: A causeway and access steps that led to the island temple when the East Baray reservoir was full and the temple stood surrounded by water.

East Mebon is inside the Angkor Archaeological Park, about 6-8 km east of Siem Reap town. Most visitors reach the temple by tuk-tuk or bicycle from Siem Reap; the standard Angkor circuit routes include East Mebon as part of the Eastern Baray cluster.

• Sunrise and sunset at East Mebon are atmospheric but expect photographers and groups - the low light at sunset is particularly beautiful on the stone elephants.
• Walk the causeway to the central island temple; many visitors stop at the first terrace and miss the central towers.
• Combine a visit with Pre Rup and the East Baray to read the landscape of Angkor's water management.