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Preah Khan: The Sacred Sword of Angkor
Jayavarman VII (Dedicated to his Father).
Start of the Grand Circuit.
"The Sacred Sword."
A massive, flat labyrinth.
Preah Khan is one of the largest and most complex temples in the Angkor Park. Built by King Jayavarman VII as a university and monastery, it housed over 100,000 people. While Ta Prohm was built for his mother, Preah Khan was built to honor his father—and the scale of it is staggering.
Exploring the Labyrinth
The "Greek" Pavilion
One of the biggest mysteries of Angkor is found here. The Two-Story Pavilion features round columns that look incredibly similar to ancient Greek architecture—a style seen nowhere else in the Khmer Empire. Its purpose remains a mystery, though some say it housed the Sacred Sword itself.
The Strangler Figs
Like its sister temple Ta Prohm, Preah Khan has been swallowed by the jungle. Be sure to walk to the East Gate to see a massive Strangler Fig tree that has completely consumed the entrance. It is one of the most dramatic photo spots in the park.
🙇 The Shrinking Doors
As you walk from the outer gates toward the central sanctuary, pay attention to the doorways. They get progressively smaller and lower. This was an intentional design trick by the King: to force visitors to bow their heads in respect as they approached the inner holy zone.
Plan Your Grand Circuit
Preah Khan takes at least 1.5 hours to explore properly. Start your Grand Circuit tour here in the morning to beat the heat.
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