Phimeanakas

ប្រាសាទភិមានអាកាស

The stepped pyramid inside the royal palace of Angkor Thom. Zhou Daguan wrote that the king climbed it each night to be with a naga princess.

Quick facts

Pass Type: Angkor Pass ($37-$72)
Entry Fee USD: Included
Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Commissioning King: Suryavarman I
Century Built: Early 11th Century
Religion & Primary Deity: Hindu · Shiva
Circuit: Small Circuit
Distance from Siem Reap: 8.5 km
Best Time to Visit: With Baphuon, inside the old royal palace grounds

Nicknames and famous highlights

Aerial PalaceRoyal palace pyramidNaga-princess legendLaterite tiersView over the palace enclosure

History and architecture

Phimeanakas stands in the enclosure of the royal palace. The laterite pyramid was begun in the late 10th century under Rajendravarman II and completed in the early 11th under Suryavarman I. It was a Hindu shrine of the palace, not a public monastery. The Chinese envoy Zhou Daguan, who lived at Angkor in 1296–1297, recorded the court legend that the king had to spend the first watch of every night in the tower with a serpent princess, or the kingdom would suffer. The palace buildings around it were wood and are gone. The pyramid remains.

How to get to Phimeanakas

No origin routes are published yet. See every temple in Siem Reap.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to visit Phimeanakas?

Phimeanakas is covered by Angkor Pass ($37-$72) and has no extra per-temple fee in this directory.

What are the opening hours of Phimeanakas?

Phimeanakas is listed as open 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM. Best time to visit: With Baphuon, inside the old royal palace grounds.

Who built Phimeanakas?

Commissioned under Suryavarman I, Early 11th Century, Late 10th–early 11th century, dedicated to Shiva. The religion recorded here is Hindu.

What is Phimeanakas known for?

Also called Aerial Palace. Known for Royal palace pyramid, Naga-princess legend, Laterite tiers, View over the palace enclosure

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