The sight is located within Angkor. To prepare for your visit, read the AsiaExplorers Angkor Travel Guide for useful information. Visitors to Angkor stay at the town of Siem Reap. If you are looking for budget accommodation in Siem Reap, use the Cambodia Budget Accommodation Guide to find a place to stay.
Built around the middle of 10th Century (947)
begun by King Harshavarman I (reigned 910-944)
completed by King Rajendravarman II (reigned 944-968)
Baksei Chamkrong means
"The bird who shelters under its wings"
Baksei Chamkrong is an ancient Angkor monument located just north of Phnom Bakheng, a short distance between Angkor Wat and the South Gate of Angkor Thom. I visited this temple while South Gate of Angkor Thom. The name Baksei Chamkrong comes from a legend. In it, the king was trying to flee Angkor when it was under siege. Suddenly a huge bird swooped down and sheltered the king under its wings. However, as I further researched, I learned that there is really no connection between the above story and the construction of this temple.
This is one of the first temples to be constructed of durable material such as bricks and laterite, and with decorations in sandstone. It consists of a single tower on a square 27 sq meter base. On this is a four-tiered pyramid that rises to a height of 12 metres. At the top is a brick sanctuary tower that faces the east. On its door frame are inscriptions praising early Khmer kings such as Jayavarman II. The inscriptions are unique for its content, for so many Khmer kings were mentioned. The lintels, which are in poor condition, shows Indra on a three-headed elephant, Airavata (by the way, I believe Airavata is the Khmer equivalent to the elephant Erawan, in Thailand).
Baksei Chamkrong, as seen from the main road leading towards Angkor Thom.
Originally, there was a brick enclosure with a stone gopura on the east side of Baksei Chamkrong, that is, facing the main road, but that is gone now. Most of the stucco that once adorned this temple is also gone now.
Baksei Chamkrong, as seen from one of its four corners.
A reclining Buddha image is inside the central sanctuary of Baksei Chamkrong.
View from the top of Baksei Chamkrong.
One of the false doors of the central sanctuary.
The lintel of Baksei Chamkrong.
How to go to Baksei Chamkrong
Baksei Chamkrong is on your left, as you approach South Gate of Angkor Thom from Phnom Bakheng. You can't miss it. If you're travelling by tuk tuk, ask your tuk tuk driver to point it out to you. If he doesn't know, show him the map, or get a different tuk tuk driver! If you wish to climb up Baksei Chamkrong, beware that the steps are very steep - those on the north side is the easiest to climb. If you need a tuk tuk driver who brought me here, you can contact my tuk tuk driver, Mr Han (contact below) to see if he is available to take you.
Angkor, Unesco World Heritage Site
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Siem Reap Travel Guide
If you are visiting Angkor, it's almost definite that you will be staying in a hotel or guesthouse in Siem Reap. You will probably also need to hire a tuk tuk to take you around. Click the thumbnail on the left to view vital details to make your stay in Siem Reap more pleasant.
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