Prasat Ta Phrom Temple

Address: Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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

Hours: Daily 5:00am-6:00pm

Admission: Angkor Archaeological Park pass required: 1‑day US$37; 3‑day US$62; 7‑day US$72 (foreign adult rates).

Overview

Prasat Ta Phrom is a small, well-preserved Angkor-era temple near the commune of Banteay Chhmar in Banteay Meanchey province, in Cambodia’s far northwest. It is not to be confused with the larger, tree-swallowed Ta Prohm at Angkor near Siem Reap; this remote monument is best known for the four enigmatic smiling faces that crown its central tower.

What visitors find / highlights

Like the entry towers of Jayavarman VII’s better-known temples, the central prasat is capped by four serene faces, believed to represent the king in the likeness of the bodhisattva Lokeshvara, or simply the Buddha. Surrounded by a moat that draws local villagers, children and wandering cattle, the temple has a relaxed, pastoral atmosphere and survives in far better condition than its neighbours Banteay Chhmar and Banteay Top.

History

The temple dates from the Angkor era and is associated with the building programme of Jayavarman VII in the late 12th to early 13th century. Infrequently visited, it sits amid open countryside and can be explored in as little as 15 minutes, though the shaded benches by the moat make it a fine spot for a picnic.

Location

Near the village of Banteay Chhmar in Banteay Meanchey province, northwestern Cambodia, close to Banteay Top and within reach of the great temple-city of Banteay Chhmar.

Prasat Ta Prohm (Ta Prohm temple) is inside the Angkor Archaeological Park north of Siem Reap. From Siem Reap take National Road 6/Angkor Park road toward the temple complex - it’s about 5-7 km from the town center and most visitors get there by tuk‑tuk (about 15-25 minutes) or by bicycle (30-60 minutes depending on pace). There is vehicle access along the park roads and a short walk from the parking/visitor areas to the temple itself; you must have a valid Angkor Park ticket to enter.

• Visit Ta Prohm right at park opening or late in the afternoon for softer light and noticeably fewer tour groups, and remember an Angkor entrance pass is required.
• Once inside, avoid the main tree‑rooted photo spots by exploring the quieter north and east corridors and upper levels-those side lanes reveal less photographed compositions and details.
• Consider a knowledgeable guide to explain the temple's conservation history and iconography; that context deepens appreciation of the striking tree‑ruin interplay many visitors only admire from the main courtyards.

The remote Angkor-era temple of Prasat Ta Phrom, near the commune of Banteay Chhmar alongside Banteay Top, is an infrequently visited monument set amid beautiful pastoral countryside. Unlike its two neighbours, it survives in relatively good condition.

Like the entry towers at Jayavarman VII’s better-known Ta Prohm at Angkor, the central prasat of this smaller temple is capped by four enigmatic smiling faces, believed to represent either Jayavarman in the likeness of the bodhisattva Lokeshvara or simply the Buddha.

Surrounded by a moat popular with local villagers, children, and wandering cows, the temple has a charming, relaxed atmosphere. It can be seen in as little as 15 minutes, but the shaded benches and moatside make it a fine spot for a picnic.