Mangalartha Temple

This 13th-century temple can be hard to find, mostly swallowed by the surrounding forest. The shrine itself is small and nondescript, but it is famous as the last stone temple of the Angkor era, dated from an inscription discovered here. Standing in ruin, it retains false doors and a pedestal where a statue once stood, while the pediments that once crowned the doorways now lie on the ground; push the undergrowth aside and you can make out Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana, among other religious scenes.

The walk is often the most rewarding part of a visit. The temple sits in dense forest between the Victory Gate and the East Gate of Angkor Thom, and the shade offers welcome relief from the sun. There are no food or drink sellers nearby, so consider bringing a picnic to enjoy at the rarely visited East Gate afterwards.

Mangalartha is inside the Angkor/Siem Reap temple area. From Siem Reap town centre take a tuk‑tuk, taxi or bicycle onto the Angkor Archaeological Park roads; most temple sites in the park are about 5-8 km from town and reachable by a short drive followed by a walk from the park road to the monument. Many visitors use Siem Reap-based tuk‑tuk drivers who stop close to each temple.