Cambodia — Media Gallery

Entrace to the National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh. Built between 1917 and 1924 to preserve Cambodia's cultural traditions, it houses the world's largest collections of Khmer art from prehistoric times through the Khmer Empire. It also displays an important collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures.

The Throne Hall at the Royal Palace grounds in Phnom Penh. Built in 1917, the building was where the king's confidants, generals, and royal officials once carried out their duties. Today it is used for religious and royal ceremonies, and as a meeting place for guests of the king.

Boats on Tonle Sap, Cambodia's huge freshwater lake. During the dry season from November to May, the lake is fairly shallow - only about one meter deep - allowing boats to be poled. During the monsoon season, waters from the flooding Mekong River back up raising the lake depth to about nine meters. This annual pulsing over a large floodplain brings in high sediment and nutrient fluxes allowing for rich aquatic diversity. Tonle Sap is one of the most productive inland fisheries in the world.

Temple buildings at Angkor Thom.

Another example of how intimately some trees have established themselves at Angkor Wat.

The Pagoda at Wat Phnom, built in 1373 on a man-made hill, is the tallest religious structure (27 m; 89 ft) in Phnom Penh.

Much of the periphery of Tonle Sap is dotted with floating houses.

A courtyard at Angkor Wat.

Well-preserved temple building at Angkor Thom.

Wall carving showing a battle scene at Angkor Wat.

Mekong River tour boat at Phnom Penh.

Cambodia’s Independence Monument is brightly lit at night.

On the grounds of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. The palace area contains at least three stupas with royal remains.

The South Gate at Angkor Thom has been extensively restored and is the most complete. On the road from Angkor Wat and Siem Reap, it is the first point of entry to Angkor Thom.

Ta Prohm is the modern name of the temple in Siem Reap, built largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Located approximately 1 km east of Angkor Thom, it was founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Ta Prohm remains in much the same condition as when it was found. The photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors. UNESCO inscribed Ta Prohm on its World Heritage List in 1992. Today, it is one of the most visited complexes in Cambodia’s Angkor region.

Face framed by windows at the Bayon temple at Angkor Thom.

Temple Door at Banteay Srei, Angkor.

A lion-fronted temple at Wat Phnom.

Entranceway at the Bayon, a richly decorated temple at Angkor Thom built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries by King Jayavarman VII.

Banteay Srei is a 10th-century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The site lies 25 km (15 mi) north-east of the main group of temples at Angkor. Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings that are still observable today. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction. These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists. This photo shows the entrance way and part of the moat that surrounds the temple complex.

Close up of one of the 216 faces at the Bayon temple at Angkor Thom.

Statue at Banteay Srei, a temple at Angkor.

Carving at Banteay Srei, a 10th century red sandstone temple at Angkor that is much smaller than the other temple complexes in the region. Many of the exquisite carvings in this temple were stolen and sent to museums around the world. Today, some of these carvings have been replaced by cement replicas.

View from the top of the Pre Rup temple looking down into a courtyard with a central "cistern."

A covered promenade at Angkor Wat.

Approaching the Royal Palace grounds in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital.

Side view along one of the elevated platforms at Pre Rup.

A portion of the sprawling Angkor Wat temple complex as viewed across a moat.

The Baphuon is a temple located in Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon. Built in the mid-11th century, it is a three-tiered temple mountain.

Another view of the intricate reliefs on the mandapa (pillared hall) and central tower at Banteay Srei.

Evening at Angkor Wat.

A portion of the Angkor temple area undergoing restoration.

Tree roots drape over a wall at Ta Prohm, the modern name for the late 12th and early 13th century temple in Siem Reap. Located approximately 1 km east of Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm was founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Ta Prohm remains in much the same condition as when it was found. The photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors. UNESCO inscribed Ta Prohm on its World Heritage List in 1992. Today, it is one of the most visited complexes in Cambodia’s Angkor region.

Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia is the leading rice-producing province of the country.

The entrance to the temple complex of Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II.

The Central Market (Phsar Thom Thmey) is an art deco landmark in Phnom Penh constructed in 1936-37; it underwent renovation between 2009-11 and is always packed with vendors.

The Bayon is chiefly known for the multitude of serene and massive stone faces on its many towers.

Another view of the Bayon temple. How many faces can you find?

Fishing on the Prek Toeuk Sap River in Ream National Park about 18 km (11 mi) from Sihanoukville. The park, which covers approximately 15,000 ha (37,000 acres), was founded by King Norodom SIHANOUK in 1993. It contains about 150 species of birds and has a large monkey population.

View of the main Angkor Wat temple complex reflected in a pool. The central towered portion appears on the Cambodian flag.

Closeup of building details at Angkor Wat.

Countryside view of Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia with its scattered low hills that break up the flat terrain.

Sections of the Angkor Wat temple area are overgrown with trees. Here a massive root system is slowly engulfing a temple building.

Sihanoukville, part of which is seen here at sunrise, is a major port in Cambodia and a growing beach resort. It was called Kampong Saom during the time of the Khmer Rouge. Construction on the port began in 1955 at the direction of King Norodom SIHANOUK after Vietnam began to restrict Cambodian access to ports in that country. The deep-water port, which opened in 1960, lies on the Gulf of Thailand about 185 km (115 mi) south of the capital at Phnom Penh.

Typical floating house on Tonle Sap.

The central tower of the Pre Rup temple at Angkor.

Phimeanakas is a three-tiered Hindu temple at Angkor Thom that dates to the end of the 10th century.

Along the Sangkor River in Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia.

A store selling a wide variety of baskets in a typical Angkor-area village.

Steep stairway leading to a temple at Prasat Bayang.

Stairway leading to the temple at Wat Phnom.

Much of the countryside around Angkor has a high water table and requires drainage.

Prasat Bayang is a ruined temple near Angkor Borei, in eastern Cambodia. The temple is known for having the earliest known depictions of Khmer numerals, dating back to AD 604.

Intricate decorative carvings at Banteay Srei.

Prasat Bayang is a ruined temple complex near Angkor Borei, in southern Cambodia, renowned for having the earliest known depictions of Khmer numerals, dating back to A.D. 604.

Busy street in Phnom Penh where motorcycles are a very common form of transportation.

Serene statues on a bridge at the South Gate at Angkor Thom.

Area comparison map

The Bayon is a richly decorated Khmer temple at Angkor best known for the multitude of serene and smiling stone faces on its many towers.

Preah Khan is a temple located northeast of Angkor Thom, it was built in the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII to honor his father. Preah Khan remains largely unrestored, with numerous trees and other vegetation growing among the ruins. The purpose of this two-story building with round columns is unknown, but it is referred to as "the library."

A restaurant in Battambang, a city founded in the 11th century and capital of Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia.

Pre Rup is a Hindu temple at Angkor dedicated to the god Shiva; it was built as the state temple of Khmer King Rajendravarman in the mid 10th century. This view is from the top of the temple.

An area of the Preah Khan temple that has not undergone any restoration and is full of tumbled building blocks and encroaching vegetation.

View of the countryside in Battambang province (northwestern Cambodia), which is the leading rice-producing province of the country.

Some of the well-preserved temples at Angkor Wat.

The Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, was completed in 1958 to memorialize Cambodia's independence from France in 1953. Its lotus-shaped stupa form mimics the style seen at the Khmer temple at Banteay Srei and other Khmer historical sites.

Pre Rup is a Hindu temple at Angkor dedicated to the god Shiva; it was built as the state temple of Khmer King Rajendravarman in the mid 10th century.