Srah Srang.

Srah Srang is located face to face with Banteay Kdey temple. It, too, was built in late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. It is a large lake which is 700 by 300 meters with an elegant lading terrace of superb proportion and scale, It is pleasant spot to sit and look out over the surrounding plain. Srah- Srang always has water and is surrounded by greenery. It is built of late rite with sandstone moldings.

The platform is of cruciform shape with naga balustrades flanked by two lions. At the front there is an enormous garuda riding a three-headed naga. At the back this is a mythical creature comprising a three-headed naga, the lower portion of a garuda and a stylized tail decorated with small naga heads. The body of the naga rests on a dais supported by mythical monsters.

Koh Ker Temple.

The temple complex at Koh  ker  represents the remnants of the capital of the Khmer Empire from the time the Khmer capital was first moved to the Angkor area in the late 9th century. It remained there for almost 500 years, with a brief interruption only a few decades later. In 928 A.D., King Jayavarman IV, possibly a usurper to the throne, created this impressive royal city of Brahmanic monuments and temples only 100km away.

The premier ruin of the complex is Prasat Thom, an imposing 7-tiered pyramid and temple complex.There  are  several  nicely preserved ruins with small temple  complexes.  Lingas are still in place in some monuments such as Prasat Balang and Prasat Thneng.

A trip to Koh Ker takes the better part of a day out of Siem Reap  and  is usually combined with a visit to Boeng Mealea.

Banteay Kdei Temple.

Built  in  the  late 12th to early 13th centuries  during the reign of Jayavarman VII, Banteay Kdei is known as a Buddhist temple constructed in the Bayon style. Banteay Kdei has been occupied by monks at various intervals over the centuries, but the inscription stone has never been discovered so it is mystery; unknown to whom the temple is dedicated.

Its structures are contained within two successive enclosure walls, and consist of two concentric galleries  from which emerge towers, preceded to the east  by a cloister. Like all the other ruins in Angkor, the  carvings  captivate one’s interest.

Preah Khan Temple.

Preah   Khan  was  built  on  the  site  of Jayavarman VII’s victory over the invading Chams in 1191.

In its heydays, this was the centre of a substantial organisation with almost100,000 officials and servants. This  temple is flat in design, with a basic plan of successive  rectangular galleries around  a Buddhist sanctuary complicated by Hindu satellite temples and numerous later additions.With numerous trees and other vegetation growing among the ruins, Preah Khan has been left largely unrestored.

Preah  Khan,  for the beguiler, the romancer and the artist, is an entrancing mastery  deep in the jungle, soft and alluring in the twilight made by heavy verdure.