Phnom Bakheng

ភ្នំបាខែង

The first state temple of Yasodharapura, a stepped hill directly behind Angkor Wat and the classic sunset viewpoint.

Quick facts

Pass Type: Angkor Pass ($37-$72)
Entry Fee USD: Included
Opening Hours: 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Commissioning King: Yasovarman I
Century Built: Early 10th Century
Religion & Primary Deity: Hindu · Shiva
Circuit: Small Circuit
Distance from Siem Reap: 6.5 km
Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon for sunset over Angkor Wat. Climb earlier if you want the reliefs without the crowd.

Nicknames and famous highlights

Pyramid Temples Monkey TemplesSunset TempleSunset view of Angkor WatTemple-mountain of YasodharapuraPrang towers on a natural hillLong-tailed macaques

History and architecture

When Yasovarman I moved the capital from Roluos to the area around Phnom Bakheng, he built this temple-mountain on the natural hill. The date is about 900. A central sanctuary was surrounded by dozens of small towers whose numbers encode the Hindu calendar and the 33 gods. From the summit, Angkor Wat sits in the moat to the southeast. The hill is also one of the most reliable places in the park to see long-tailed macaques. The steps are steep and the sunset slot is crowded; the side stair is the usual way down.

How to get to Phnom Bakheng

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

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to visit Phnom Bakheng?

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

What are the opening hours of Phnom Bakheng?

Phnom Bakheng is listed as open 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM. Best time to visit: Late afternoon for sunset over Angkor Wat. Climb earlier if you want the reliefs without the crowd..

Who built Phnom Bakheng?

Commissioned under Yasovarman I, Early 10th Century, c. 900, dedicated to Shiva. The religion recorded here is Hindu.

What is Phnom Bakheng known for?

Also called Sunset Temple. Known for Sunset view of Angkor Wat, Temple-mountain of Yasodharapura, Prang towers on a natural hill, Long-tailed macaques. Filed under Pyramid Temples, Monkey Temples

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