An Unexplored Preah Khan of Kampong Svay: Unknown Ruins of Cambodia Khmer Empire

#asiatrip Located almost 100 km directly east of Angkor Wat in the southwestern corner of Preah Vihear province, Preah Khan Kampong Pile is an extensive complex of sandstone and laterite structures dating mainly from the 9th-13th centuries, with most of the development of this place attributed to Suryavarman II. and later Jayavarman VII, as well as activities in the period of The post-Angkor era. Preah Khan of Kampong Svai, often called simply Bakan, occupies a huge territory with the outermost fence measuring almost 5 km on the side, outside of which there are temples and archaeological sites. It was supposed to be the largest fence created during the Khmer Empire. For visitors to the site today, there are 8 cleared temple sites, for the more adventurous there are 4 more on the west side, while archaeologists have recorded about 90 significant sites in the area. The Preah Khan of Kampong Svai was first documented in the 19th century during expeditions by the French, including Delaporte, Mura, Tissandier and Dudar de Lagre. In Croisier's notes, published in 1875, he documents the mining of works of art and sculptures on an industrial scale in the area, employing more than 100 locals on ox carts and even creating rafts to transport objects, most of which are still preserved in the French Guimet Museum. In Delaporte's notes, he gives important information about the location of various remains, inscriptions, and, for example, the location of the stunning and rare standing lion, which is now on display in the French Guimet Museum. Now it is one of the most inaccessible Khmer temples, besides there is no city nearby where you could spend the night. Therefore, the best advice that can be given is to go here early in the morning to carefully and slowly explore this distant temple of Angkor and get back to Siem Reap before the dark.