Ta Prohm, Siem Reap

Founded at the turn of the 13th century by Khmer emperor Jayavarman VII, Ta Prohm remains untouched and well preserved, largely owing to its status as a World Heritage Site. The temple, first established as a Buddhist monastery and university, stood abandoned for centuries, during which silk-cotton trees and strangler figs pushed out of its foundations and grew upward, burying the stone buildings in tangles of exposed roots. The ruins include hundreds of statues to various gods, former monks' residences, and stone towers, all intertwined with tree roots in an unforgettable visual effect. Parts of the trails that run through the temple are dark or impassable; use a map or follow a guide to stay on track. Plan your Ta Prohm visit and explore what else you can see and do in Siem Reap using our Siem Reap trip itinerary planner.