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West Mebon: The Temple in the Sea
Center of the West Baray (Reservoir).
15-minute boat ride from the shore.
King Suryavarman I (11th Century).
Peaceful, Breezy, "Ancient Beach."
Imagine a temple not surrounded by jungle, but by the vast, shimmering waters of an ancient sea. This is West Mebon, a unique temple located on a solitary island in the middle of the West Baray, the largest hand-dug reservoir in the Angkorian empire. A visit here is as much about the boat journey as it is about the destination.
The Journey: Across the Ancient Sea
The Boat Ride
To reach the temple, you must hire a local boat ($15-$20) from the "West Baray Beach" area. The ride takes about 15 minutes. It is a surreal experience to float over this massive body of water, knowing it was dug by hand nearly a thousand years ago. The breeze is refreshing, and the views of the distant Kulen Mountains are spectacular.
The Island Temple
A Ruin in Restoration
The temple itself is largely in ruins, though extensive restoration work by French teams has been ongoing. It was designed as a square enclosure with a central sanctuary. In the dry season, you can walk on the sandy bed of the reservoir around the island; in the wet season, the water laps right up against the temple walls.
🧐 Did You Know? The Bronze Giant
In 1936, a local villager stumbled upon a massive bronze statue buried here. It was a partial fragment of a Reclining Vishnu that would have originally been 6 meters (20 feet) long! It is the largest bronze statue ever found at Angkor and is now the centerpiece of the National Museum in Phnom Penh.
Local Secret: The "Beach"
After your boat trip, relax on the shore! The West Baray is a popular picnic spot for locals. You can rent a hammock, order grilled chicken and cold beer, and swim in the clean water of the ancient reservoir.
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