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 at the end of the 12th Century
by King Jayavarman II (reigned 1181-1220)
Prasat Suor Prat means
"Towers of the Rope Dancers"
Prasat Suor Prat is a set of twelve towers located in front of the Terrace of the Elephants, separated from it by the main road that runs northwards from the Bayon to the North Gate of Angkor Thom. On my first visit to Angkor, I saw that the towers were undergoing restoration. By my second visit, most of the restoration work has been completed, or at least has stopped. Some of these towers are still enforced with wooden beams.
Prasat Suor Prat.
Prasat Suor Prat is a modern name for these twelve towers. It is a romantic name, meaning Towers of the Rope Dancers, and probably bear no resemblance to the truth - though it makes me conjure images of a circus performance with ropes between these towers.
I am not fully clear as to the function of Prasat Suor Prat. According to the 12th Century Chinese envoy Zhou Daguan, legal disputes were settled by placing the contenders in the Prasat Suor Prat towers for a few days. The person to emerge in ill health is considered loser.
Prasat Suor Prat are built of laterite and sandstone. They form a line with six on each side of the royal road leading to the Victory Gate, on the eastern side of Angkor Thom. The towers have windows with balusters on three sides. The entrance opens towards the parade ground facing the Terrace of the Elephants.
From my research, I can say that there is inconclusive evidence as to the actual function of Prasat Suor Prat. Considering their location, they could have been pavillions to view parades that take place at the Royal Square themselves and the Terrace of the Elephant.
How to go to Prasat Suor Prat
Prasat Suor Prat is located within Angkor Thom, on the right (east) side of the road that runs between the North Gate and the Bayon. All tuk tuk drivers to Angkor should know how to get there - if you find one who doesn't, well, change tuk tuk! If you're on your own, by bicycle or motorcycle, park somewhere under the shade near the food stalls, and do your on foot.
If you need transport, I can recommend the tuk tuk driver who drove me. His name is Mr Han (see contact below), and you can call to see if he is available to take you.
Prasat Suor Prat in a row.
The tower closest to the road is slightly off line from the rest.
Exploring 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.
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:
