The wonders of the ancient Khmer civilization ( Koh Ker ) ~ Generation Share

Why Koh Ker?

When you visit Cambodia, you will probably come to Siem Reap to see the world-famous Angkor Wat and other Angkor temples. They are amazing, for sure, but you should not expect to discover silent temples hidden in the jungle any more, since Angkor has become a tourist hub. If you are looking for a genuine explorer experience, try it out and study Koh Ker, Cambodia's second largest temple town. You will fall in love with it! Koh Ker is definitely the best choice to see the extraordinary without any tourist hurly-burly.

Koh Ker one-day excursion

Koh Ker is located in about 90 km distance from Angkor, the road is bad. However, a tour to Koh Ker is managable as a day trip from Siem Reap near Angkor, in case you are ready to start in the very early morning and be back not before sunset. You will not regret it, Koh Ker is really a dream coming true for those who love to enjoy impressive historical monuments in a tranquil surrounding.

Koh Ker plus Beng Mealea day trip

If you like, you can additionally visit the overgrown vast temple complex of Beng Mealea on the same day, it is possible, too. Beng Mealea is on the way from Angkor to Koh Ker. But in this case of a combined tour you will spend one or two hours less in the temple town Koh Ker.

Koh Ker tours with visit of Preah Vihear

Some tourists like to visit the most scenic Khmer temple, Preah Vihear. It is a little bit far from Angkor to visit it on a one-day excursion from Siem Reap, but possible if you accept a very long time for driving. However, a 2-days tour also visiting Koh Ker is much more recommendable. The best place for overnight stays close to Preah Vihear is Sra Em, where budget accommodation or a good hotel is available.

Koh Ker with tours to other less touristic Khmer temples

In case you have three or more days time for a round trip starting and ending in Siem Reap, I recommend to combine a visit of Koh Ker and Preah Vihear with tours to other important but less frequented vast Khmer temple complexes. If you accept very simple accommodation, you could see Banteay Chhmar in the very north-west of Cambodia. For those who prefer normal hotels, we could drive from Preah Vihear temple via Preah Khan Kampong Svay (Prasat Bakan) to Sambor Prei Kuk and have an overnight stay in Kampong Thom, which is located halfway between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. For a list of Cambodia's largest temples, all of them located in the north-west of the country and not too far away from Angkor, study the Khmer temple towns page. For proposals how to visit them, visit the Khmer Temple Town Tours page.

Koh Ker's location in Cambodia

Koh Ker belongs to Preah Vihear Province in northern Cambodia. The length of the road from Siem Reap to Koh Ker is 110 km. As the crow flies, Koh Ker is located 80 km north-east of Angkor. The most important ancient Khmer road, connecting Angkor with modern Annam at the South China Sea, crossed Beng Mealea and Koh Ker.

The distance between Phnom Penh and Koh Ker is 370 km via mainroad NH6 to Kampong Thom and then NR62 northwards, direction Preah Vihear. From Bangkok to Koh Ker the road distance is 510 km via border crossing Aranyaprathet/Poipet and mainroad NH6, crossing Siem Reap.

The best place for accommodation, far and wide, is Siem Reap. In the closer vicinity of Koh Ker there are only very simple accommodations, guest houses of the hostel category. Normal guest houses and a 3-star hotel are available in 70 km distance from Koh Ker in Preah Vihear City (Tbaeng Meanchey). Don't be confused: The well-known "Koh Ker Hotel" is not closer to Koh Ker, it is in the heart of Siem Reap, too.

Author

Hi, Its me Hafeez. A webdesigner, blogspot developer and UI/UX Designer. I am a certified Themeforest top Author and Front-End Developer. I'am business speaker, marketer, Blogger and Javascript Programmer.