Western Baray & Western Mebon

Temples of Angkor


The Western Baray, measuring an incredible 8km by 2.3km, was constructed by hand to provide water for the intensive cultivation of lands around Angkor. These enormous barays weren't dug out, but had huge dykes built up around the edges. In the centre of the Western Baray is the ruin of the Western Mebon temple, where the giant bronze statue of Vishnu, now in the National Museum in Phnom Penh, was found. The Western Mebon is accessible by boat.

The Western Baray is the main local swimming pool around Siem Reap. There is a small beach of sorts at the western extreme, complete with picnic huts and inner tubes for rent, which attracts plenty of Khmers at weekends.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Temples of Angkor attractions

1. Angkor Thom West Gate

3.03 MILES

The causeway at the west gate of Angkor Thom has completely collapsed, leaving a jumble of ancient stones sticking out of the soil, like victims of a…

2. Prasat Chrung

3.08 MILES

Prasat Chrung, one of four identical temples marking the corners of the Angkor Thom, rarely sees a soul, making for an atmospheric place to seek solitude…

3. Run Ta Dev

3.12 MILES

Head down below the walls in the southwest corner of Angkor Thom to see the water outlet of Run Ta Dev. In its heyday this once powerful city was criss…

4. Angkor Silk Farm

3.7 MILES

Les Chantiers Écoles maintains the Angkor Silk Farm, which produces some of the best work in the country, including clothing, interior-design products and…

5. Baphuon

3.83 MILES

Some have called Baphuon the 'world's largest jigsaw puzzle'. Before the civil war the Baphuon was painstakingly taken apart piece by piece by a team of…

6. Preah Palilay

3.84 MILES

Preah Palilay is located about 200m north of the Royal Enclosure’s northern wall. It was erected during the rule of Jayavarman VII and originally housed a…

7. Royal Enclosure & Phimeanakas

3.85 MILES

Phimeanakas stands close to the centre of a walled area that once housed the royal palace. There’s very little left of the palace today except for two…

8. Phnom Bakheng

3.88 MILES

Located around 400m south of Angkor Thom, the main attraction at Phnom Bakheng is the sunset view over Angkor Wat. For many years, the whole affair turned…

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