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 between the 12th to the 13th centuries during the reign of King Suryavarman I onwards
Angkor Thom Royal Palace is the ancient palace of King Suryavarman I, located north of the Baphuon. It is bordered by the Terrace of the Elephant to the east and Preah Palilay to the north. Within its compound is the step pyramid called Phimeanakas. However, the most noticeable thing about the Royal Palace is its absence.
One of the entrances into the Royal Palace at Angkor Thom.
As most of the buildings within the Royal Palace complex are for non religious purposes, they are constructed mainly of wood, which is perishable. Today only the religious structures and ponds are still visible reminders of the grandeur of ancient times.
The Royal Palace grounds are enclosed by a five-meter high wall that runs for 246m along on the north-south axis and 585m on the east-west axis. There are give sandstone gopuras on this wall - two on the northside, two on the south, and one on the east, which opens into the Terrace of the Elephants.
Within the Royal Palace grounds are the remains of buildings that used to stand there. Now only traces of these buildings remain. It takes a bit of imagination for us to picture how the place was like during the time of the ancient Khmer kings. Among the sights I am documenting for AsiaExplorers within the Royal Palace are Phimeanakas, the Large Pond and the East Pond.
How to go to the Royal Palace
Royal Palace is located within Angkor Thom, about 200 meters directly north of the Baphuon, from where you enter the Royal Palace compound through a gopura in the southern enclosure wall.
If you are travelling on a packaged tour, then your itinerary is more or less decided, as is the amount of time in your hands to explore the grounds. However, if you are travelling independently, then the best option is to hire a tuk tuk. Ask him to wait for you at the food stalls opposite the Baphuon while you go and explore the sites. You can contact my tuk tuk driver, Mr Han (see contact below) to see if he is available to take you.
Main entrance to the Royal Palace of Angkor Thom.
Exploring Angkor, Unesco World Heritage Site
AsiaExplorers provides you one of the most detailed documentation on Angkor, Unesco World Heritage Site, for you to explore from the comfort of your desktop.
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.
About the Author: AsiaExplorers is researched and written by Timothy Tye. We take reasonable care to check and verify the accuracy of the content. However, we disclaim any responsibility for any inconvenience, mishap, injury or death resulting from following the advice provided directly or indirectly by AsiaExplorers and the comments on its pages. All the photographs in AsiaExplorers are available for publication. Please contact AsiaExplorers at the following email address for your enquiries:
