[2025 Siem Reap Attraction] Travel Guide for Phimeanakas Temple (Updated Feb)

Don’t miss: - Lions guard the stairway, - elephants were placed at each corners of the sanctuary - A large cruciform terrace whose edges are supported by columns. - Four sanctuaries facing west (libraries?) Phimeanakas (Prasat Phimean Akas, 'celestial temple') or Vimeanakas (Prasat Vimean Akas) at Angkor, Cambodia, is a Hindu temple in the Khleang style, built at the end of the 10th century. The tower was originally crowned with a golden pinnacle, as Zhou Daguan described it in his report. According to legend, the king spent the first watch of every night with a woman thought to represent a Nāga in the tower, during that time, not even the queen was permitted to intrude. Only in the second watch the king returned to his palace with the queen. You can reach Phimeanakas on foot from Baphuon in the south, Terrace of the Elephants in the East, or Preah Palilay in the north. Most visitors will approach the temple from the East as the Angkor kings would have done. As you’re walking from the Terrace of the Elephants, keep going for around 200m. There is a path through the trees which will take you to the front of the temple. #2023旅行願望 #2023trip #2023travel #2023travelwish #historical #temple

#favouriteitinerary #cambodia #siemreaptrip Hidden within the majestic walls of Angkor Thom lies Phimeanakas Temple, a 10th-century marvel that whispers tales of kings, myths, and ancient grandeur. Known as the “Celestial Palace,” this pyramid-shaped temple was once the heart of the royal palace complex, where legends say a golden tower housed a mystical serpent princess. My journey to Phimeanakas felt like stepping into a forgotten chapter of history. The steep climb to the top was rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding jungle and the ruins of Angkor Thom. Unlike the bustling crowds at Angkor Wat, this temple offers a serene escape, allowing you to connect with the past in peaceful solitude.

When the morning sun pours over the overgrown temples and the Angkor Wat ruins, the seemingly ordinary sunrise in Siem Reap becomes profound and meaningful. These ancient structures are among the largest religious complexes in the world. 🔴 Small Circuit Attractions: 1️⃣ Angkor Wat 2️⃣ Angkor Thom: 🔺 Bayon Temple 🔺 Baphuon Temple 🔺 Phimeanakas 🔺 Terrace of the Elephants 🔺 Terrace of the Leper King 3️⃣ Thommanon Temple 4️⃣ Chau Say Tevoda 5️⃣ Ta Keo (Ta Keo Temple) 6️⃣ Ta Prohm (Ta Prohm Temple) 7️⃣ Phnom Bakheng ⭕️ Grand Circuit Attractions: 1️⃣ Prasat Kravan 2️⃣ Banteay Kdei 3️⃣ Srah Srang 4️⃣ Pre Rup 5️⃣ East Mebon 6️⃣ Ta Som 7️⃣ Neak Pean 8️⃣ Preah Khan 🟢 Outer Circuit and Other Attractions: 1️⃣ Banteay Srei 2️⃣ Kbal Spean (Kbal Spean) 3️⃣ Beng Mealea 4️⃣ Rollo Temple Group: 🔻 Bakong Temple 🔻 Lolei Temple 🔻 Preah Ko Temple 5️⃣ Angkor National Museum 6️⃣ Tonle Sap (Tonle Sap Lake) 7️⃣ Chong Kneas Floating Village/Vietnamese Floating Village # AngkorWat #Cambodia #GroupTour #OutboundTravel #SoutheastAsia #Travel #CulturalAttractions #NaturalScenery #TravelBeauty

#voyagevibes It is one of the temples of the city of Angkor Thom in the Angkor Temple complex near the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia. It is located on the territory and was part of the Royal Palace of Angkor Thoma (see Pimeanakas on the map of Angkor). It is dedicated to Hinduism, built in the Kleang style. The construction of Phimeanakas was carried out from the end of the X to the beginning of the XI centuries. under Rajendravarman II (Rajendravarman II, ruled 944-968), after the restructuring in the reign of Suryavarman I (Suryavarman I, ruled 1002-11049) appears in its present form. At the beginning of the XX century, restoration work began to clean the temple. The temple is notable only for the fact that it "served", so to speak, as a temple at the Royal Palace. Unfortunately, the only tower that has not been preserved was originally covered with gold. A Khmer legend is connected with the purpose of this tower: here the king indulged in amorous pleasures with a nagas (snake), who appeared to him in the form of a beautiful woman. If the naga did not appear on some night, it meant death to the king, and if the king did not appear, then misfortune to the kingdom. There are no bas-reliefs in the temple. It is enough to allocate no more than half an hour for the inspection of Phimeanakas. Pimeanakas is considered by some as a must-visit place. This is dictated by the fact that it is part of the Royal Palace, the inspection of which is included in most excursions. In fact, there is nothing interesting here, except, perhaps, the legend. Since it was built of sandstone, it has not been preserved very well, especially the upper tier and the central tower, which tourists are trying to explore. The staircase from the main (eastern) entrance is quite steep, so a staircase from the west side is equipped for safe ascent. Phimeanakas is a three-tiered rectangular pyramid. The base of the pyramid measures 35m by 28m. The height of the temple is 12 m. The temple has four axial staircases, framed in some places by preserved statues of lions, and destroyed statues of elephants at the corners of the pyramid. The first two tiers are nothing of themselves, and it is impossible to walk through them (very narrow), and they are not designed for this. The third tier (30m by 23m) contains a narrow courtyard with a number of windows, both open and false around the perimeter. In some places, carvings with ornaments have even been preserved on the platbands. Previously, small pavilions were located in the corners. In the center there is an elevation of the ground, framed by sandstone blocks – this was once the central tower of the temple, its sanctuary. It had a cruciform shape with exits and entrances to all four cardinal directions and a gilded dome. This is where the events described in the legend mentioned above took place. Today, only the remains of the doorways remain from the former greatness of the tower.

Celestial Temple within the Royal Palace walls. #cambodia #angkorthom #phimeanakas

Phiman Akat is the residence of the king, located near the Bayon temple. When we arrive, we will see a long pavilion. The pavilion is the office of the king. On the side, we will see sculptures of elephants, garudas, and nagas. Looking from the pavilion, there will be a wide area called the Elephant Square. There are also two small castles. According to Chinese records, it is a place to prove the accused by having the accused sleep on all 12 peaks for 12 days. If the accused has a skin disease, it means that he is guilty. It is also a place for acrobatics by tying ropes from one castle peak to another and walking on it. If you look at the nagas on the walkway, there will be nagas and garudas together here. There is a legend that the garudas and nagas have the same father but different mothers, which are enemies. Therefore, King Jayavarman VII carved both the garudas and nagas together to show unity and also show that it is Bayon art. #Waiting for the day to travel

Very pleased our guide took us to Preah Palilay and then a pleasant gentle walk through trees to Phimeanakas and it's beautiful lakes.It is a small laterite temple in a three stepped pyramid form.It is found to the west side of the terrace of the elephants.Would visit again in the afternoon the quietest time of day. #wintergetaway #wintergetaway

The Sky Palace is a pyramid-shaped building. The three-story red sandstone base is built with a high-rise platform. The platform has a complete corridor around the central tower. The steep steps of the sky palace steps are no less than the paradise ladder of Angkor Wat. After a few days of experience, I can already use my slippers, hands and feet and use it to go up and down. This kind of design that requires you to look up and climb without hesitation, there are many in Angkor, presumably to show a sincere heart to God. Entering the temple to pass the long, seemingly endless approach, climb the pagoda to throw away the distracting thoughts, and through hardships and dangers, people always need a sense of ritual to pin their religious feelings. The central tower of the air palace has been defeated. It used to be a golden pagoda with a golden dome, and its status in the palace is very important. In this view, you can go through the entire Tongwang City, but when you come to the Jinta, few people look at the scenery seriously, and they are all attracted by the snake legend and the legend of the king. This legend must have been in ancient times, and it has been widely spread in the Angkor dynasty, because Zhou Daguan actually recorded this story in "Zhen La Feng Di Ji", "the inner middle of the golden pagoda, the country's night is lying down. The natives It is said that there is a Hydra essence in the tower. It is also the landowner of a country. It is a female body, and it is seen every night. The king first goes to sleep with him, even though his wife does not dare to enter. You can sleep with your wife and sister. If this fine is not seen overnight, then the king will die until the death of the king. If the king does not go to the night, he will be plagued with disaster." Sitting at the cloister for a while, I wonder if this fine is with our white. The maiden is as enchanting and beautiful.