Pre Rup Temple

Address: Pre Rup, Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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

Hours: Daily 5:00am-5:30pm

Admission: Angkor Archaeological Park pass required: 1-day US$37, 3-day US$62, 7-day US$72 (prices in USD)

Pre Rup is a 10th-century temple mountain in the Angkor group near Siem Reap, Cambodia, built as the state temple of King Rajendravarman II around 961 AD. It is an example of a Hindu temple mountain constructed using brick, laterite and sandstone.

A stepped three-tier pyramid dominates the site, and the summit features a cluster of five towers in a quincunx layout. Visitors typically climb the steep stairways to the upper platform for close views of carved lintels and wide views across the eastern Angkor plain.

Constructed under King Rajendravarman II in the mid 10th century, the complex was built as a state temple in the Hindu tradition and bears architectural and decorative elements from that period. Over time the site was partially rebuilt and conserved; later religious use included Buddhist practices common across Angkorian monuments.

The temple sits on the eastern side of the Angkor archaeological area near the East Baray and is reached from Siem Reap by road within the Angkor park circuit. It lies among a dense cluster of Angkor monuments and is commonly visited as part of the eastern temple itinerary.

• Best time to visit: Good sunset viewpoint from the upper tiers; the temple faces east and the summit is often used to watch late-afternoon light on the towers.
• Tower arrangement: Five towers are arranged in a quincunx on the summit, the defining architectural feature of the temple.

What to See#

• Central tower cluster: Final summit arranged as a quincunx of five brick-and-sandstone towers sitting on a three-tiered pyramid; the upper platform is reached by steep laterite stairways and offers 360-degree views over the surrounding complex.
• Terraces and enclosure: Series of lower terraces, causeway and enclosure walls that form the temple mountain layout; these areas contain carved lintels, bas-reliefs and subsidiary structures dating to the original construction phase.

Pre Rup is best known for the mysterious cistern at the base of its pyramid, but its finest features are the beautiful carvings on the uppermost towers.

The outer enclosures. Within the east gopura, five of six surviving brick towers crowd the corridor between the first and second enclosures; these, along with several long galleries running parallel to the inner walls, were probably added later, perhaps by Jayavarman V.

The “crematorium” box. In the second enclosure, before the steep eastern stairway to the summit, stands a rectangular sandstone “box.” A cremation ritual is said to have given the temple its modern name, though there is no hard evidence that cremations took place here - it may instead have been a pedestal for a statue of the bull Nandi, which often sits before temples dedicated to Shiva. The remnants of small pillars around it once supported a roof, deepening the mystery of this unusual feature.

Climbing the terraces. Beyond the box, stairs lead to a narrow third platform where twelve small brick towers face east; too small to enter safely, pass the lion statues and continue upward. On the fourth level, four towers sit at the corners of the platform, leaving the central sanctuary an unobstructed eastward view.

The upper towers. As in earlier temple-mountains, the two eastern ancillary towers are guarded by male dvarapalas and the western pair by female devas, still bearing traces of the stucco that once covered their low-relief carvings. Pre Rup retains a surprising number of intact bas-reliefs on its lintels, colonettes and false doors - well worth close study, as they define the distinctive Pre Rup style.

Pre Rup sits inside the Angkor Archaeological Park southeast of Siem Reap. From Siem Reap town center it’s most commonly reached by tuk‑tuk, taxi or rented motorbike; the ride takes around 15-30 minutes depending on traffic (roughly 8-12 km). Follow the park access roads from Siem Reap/Angkor Road into the archaeological park; on arrival the temple is a short walk from the parking/drop‑off area.

• Aim for late afternoon: Pre Rup is a classic sunset temple - arrive 30-45 minutes before sunset to secure a spot on the upper terraces for unobstructed views.
• Combine Pre Rup with nearby East Mebon and other sites on the eastern loop of Angkor to make the most of the journey east of the main complex.
• If you prefer fewer people, go early morning instead of sunset; the temple's steep central pyramid gives good panoramas but offers limited shade, so plan timing accordingly.

Pre Rup was consecrated in 961 and is believed to have been the state temple of Rajendravarman II, built after he moved the official capital back to Yasodharapura (Angkor) following roughly a decade at Koh Ker. It rose nine years after the East Mebon, which lies directly to the north, and shares that monument’s brick-and-sandstone temple-mountain form, with elephant statues standing at the corners of each successive level.

A representation of Mount Meru. In keeping with tradition, Rajendravarman built Pre Rup as a stepped pyramid symbolising Mount Meru, crowned by a quincunx of towers. The central sanctuary was dedicated to the lingam Rajendrabhadresvara, whose name honours both Shiva and the traditional Khmer god at Wat Phu in southern Laos - a pairing that helped assert Rajendravarman’s legitimacy over a unified kingdom. The four surrounding towers honoured Shiva, Uma, Vishnu and Lakshmi, dedicated to the king himself, his ancestors and several predecessors, reinforcing the same claim to authority.