Preah Ko
Preah Ko
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Preah Ko
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
8 within 3 miles
Attractions
8 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
176 reviews
Excellent
84
Very good
67
Average
25
Poor
0
Terrible
0
TravelerTrecker
Houston830 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
The name means the Sacred Bull. This temple is part of the Roluos Group and it is the first temple to visit when coming from Siam Reap. It is far away from the other Angkor temples as it was part of the original capital of Angkor that had the Bakong as the central temple. It is 10 minutes by tuk tuk from the Bakong. The temple is beautiful, unique! It has three remarkably preserved nandi bulls in front of the temple. You will not see these bulls in other temples. The temple was dedicated to Shiva. It was ordered by the king Indravarman I to honour his parents and Jayavarman II, the founder of the Angkor empire. The lintels, the false doors, and the columns are beautiful, It has six towers, three at front, three in the back. The towers keep the ashes of different family members. Their distribution is not symmetrical, making the temple unique when compared with other temples. Two towers are closer amongst themselves as they likely belong to two people who loved each other very much. That is the romantic reason that explains the lack of symmetry of the temple.
There are many garudas, kalas, and makaras.
We were the only visitors to this relatively small temple. The temple really deserves a visit. We spent longer than 1 hour there. We took very nice pictures!
There are many garudas, kalas, and makaras.
We were the only visitors to this relatively small temple. The temple really deserves a visit. We spent longer than 1 hour there. We took very nice pictures!
Written December 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SujoyP
Australia569 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Preah Ko was the first temple my sister and I visited on our bucket list trip to Cambodia and I think it's a great place to begin.
From our fabulous guide I learnt that Preah Ko means sacred bull and represents Nandi, the white bull who was the mount of Shiva in Hindu mythology. It is the oldest of the Angkor temples, built in 879 by King Indravarman I to honour Jayavarman II (the founder of the Khmer empire) and three generations of the King's own family and it is dedicated to Shiva.
Apparently, King Indravarman I's reign was a relatively peaceful one (which is amazing given Cambodia's tumultuous history) and this is reflected in the beauty and serenity of the temple.
The temple is quite modest compared to some of the larger ones in the Angkor park but the carvings of Hindu mythology are beautiful and still in amazing condition given their age and you can still read the ancient Khmer inscriptions on the walls.
Things to remember when visiting:-
* Be sure to book a private guide so you can move at your own pace. Make sure you get one that really knows their stuff as hearing the stories and legends around each temple was far more interesting than just hearing the facts. (If you need a guide then feel free to PM me - I'm more than happy to give you a recommendation!)
* Wear sunblock and a hat. It is HOT.
* Go early to avoid the majority of the tourist buses.
* Please remember to dress respectfully. Yes, you're on holiday and yes, it's hot but this is a temple.
* Be sure to take the time to just sit quietly and drink it all in. Yes, bus loads of tourist will come along but they're gone soon enough so be patient. We were lucky enough to have some time there alone to just sit and imagine what it would have been like in all it's glory.
Enjoy! :)
From our fabulous guide I learnt that Preah Ko means sacred bull and represents Nandi, the white bull who was the mount of Shiva in Hindu mythology. It is the oldest of the Angkor temples, built in 879 by King Indravarman I to honour Jayavarman II (the founder of the Khmer empire) and three generations of the King's own family and it is dedicated to Shiva.
Apparently, King Indravarman I's reign was a relatively peaceful one (which is amazing given Cambodia's tumultuous history) and this is reflected in the beauty and serenity of the temple.
The temple is quite modest compared to some of the larger ones in the Angkor park but the carvings of Hindu mythology are beautiful and still in amazing condition given their age and you can still read the ancient Khmer inscriptions on the walls.
Things to remember when visiting:-
* Be sure to book a private guide so you can move at your own pace. Make sure you get one that really knows their stuff as hearing the stories and legends around each temple was far more interesting than just hearing the facts. (If you need a guide then feel free to PM me - I'm more than happy to give you a recommendation!)
* Wear sunblock and a hat. It is HOT.
* Go early to avoid the majority of the tourist buses.
* Please remember to dress respectfully. Yes, you're on holiday and yes, it's hot but this is a temple.
* Be sure to take the time to just sit quietly and drink it all in. Yes, bus loads of tourist will come along but they're gone soon enough so be patient. We were lucky enough to have some time there alone to just sit and imagine what it would have been like in all it's glory.
Enjoy! :)
Written September 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dons & Cigars
Chennai (Madras), India74 contributions
Sep 2019
We visited this place on day 3 during the morning..The temple is semi broken but it has all the good things to keep us interested and spend more time looking around the temple!!
Written September 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cambodia Tour Guide
Siem Reap, Cambodia6 contributions
Jan 2019
Preah Ko temple is just 13 km away from current city of Siem Reap and is known as the oldest temple in Angkor era based on the first oldest capital city of HariHaralaya, the city of god Siva and Vishnu. It was built since end of 9th century by bricks, sandstone and lava stone which is now still accessible and in good condition.
Written September 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven N
Auckland, New Zealand141 contributions
Jun 2017
Fairly small by comparison to other temples around, and the main structures (Still Remaining) are made mainly of brick, its worth looking at if you are out that way, I wouldn't bother to make a special trip though.
Written June 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shresthanjan Nath
Guwahati, India600 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
The temple is in sandstone and built by indravarman I. The intricate carvings and the gopuras are symmetrical. Recommended time is 30 mins.
Written April 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik
Sattahip, Thailand246 contributions
Dec 2016
You need to travel about 10-15 km from the main temple areas to visit the Roluos Group but it's a journey worth making. Not as spectacular as Angkor Wat or Angkor Thom perhaps but you won't be disappointed.
Written January 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DebbieBridge
London, UK722 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
The temples in the Roluos group are older than most in the main park area. We came here on the third day of our pass and was pleased the pass worked even though we were not near the main area of temples.
I believe this is the only temple which has so many bull statues that are so easy to see and get photos of, so if you like good photos ops, this temple is a good place to stop. Also the towers are in good shape and standing.
If this review is helpful, please tick below:
I believe this is the only temple which has so many bull statues that are so easy to see and get photos of, so if you like good photos ops, this temple is a good place to stop. Also the towers are in good shape and standing.
If this review is helpful, please tick below:
Written June 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John K
Brighton, UK2,432 contributions
Jun 2015
Preah Ko is a small temple and has six towers lined in two rows built on sandstone. Originally the temple was covered with white stucco and carved images within, some are still visible. In front of the temple are three bulls with a couple still in reasonable condition including one still with his testicles. The bulls represent Nandi the white bull and mount of the Hindu God Shiva. This was a lovely uncrowded small temple to visit and some of the sandstone carvings were still distinctive.
If you found the review useful I always appreciate a helpful vote.
If you found the review useful I always appreciate a helpful vote.
Written June 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gourmetflaneur
York, UK1,020 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
This is an earlier temple than the great ones of the two Angkors. Although in itself it is fascinating it is popular for giving a great platform for watching the sunset over the area. Steep steps lead high to the highest level of temples. Get there in plenty of time because it does get busy.
Written February 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing