Prasat Baphuon Temple Photo Walk

After spending the first part of our day at Angkor Wat, Christina and I move on and walk through Cambodia’s Prasat Baphuon or Baphuon Temple as its commonly known. The sun has largely retreated for the day and threatens to change into the flash rain that struck during our first day in the country. Temperatures are still hotter than I can ever remember but walking around the open spaces at Baphuon cool me off for a while. I feel like this place was something really important a long time ago and rightly so.

If you’re looking for more spots to fill your itinerary, we also included Prasat Baphuon and other Angkor temples among these places to visit in Cambodia!

Prasat Baphuon Temple

Prasat Baphuon is a Hindu Temple which was built in the mid-11th century during the reign of Khmer King Udayadityavarman II. Unfortunately, the temple is a long way from its original form. It seems to be under constant restoration and hopefully someday will be completely accessible.

The Front from Above

In front of Baphuon, you can stare out at the vast courtyard and imagine that kings and queens alike probably loved the peace and quiet that it offered. Ruins and massive trees now overlook the area. Imagine if this place was fully restored. I still think the walkway leading in is beautiful. The views improve as you ascend higher and higher but even from the entrance, it’s still cool to look back on the courtyard that leads into Baphuon.

Ruins Up Close

One man’s ruins is another’s treasure.

Black & White

These Angkor temples are so colorful but still worth a look in black and white, don’t you think?

First Level

This is the first level courtyard with some pieces in place. I keep walking but stop every five seconds to capture beautiful and flawed alike inside this place.

This is from the first level looking up to the top. I’ve still got a ways to go, huh?

This shot of a first level entryway is one of my favorite photos from the whole day and who knows, maybe someday it will end up on my wall.

There’s so much to see on the first level, like this walkway, that I don’t want to move on and up.

Maybe this is why I don’t want to go up. Just look at those stairs!

Second Level

But there’s a reason we all do things, right? I love the cracks and details found inside this hallway on the second level.

These stairs really don’t get any more fun. Onto level 3!

Third Level

The neglect and decay get more obvious as I approach the top of Prasat Baphuon. Though I’m sure it’s dangerous to walk around some of these spots, I find the differences in structural integrity to still be pretty interesting!

The Top

The top of Baphuon Temple is unfortunately inaccessible due to structural collapses and restoration efforts. Maybe someday I’ll get back and reach the top.

I knew there was a reason for climbing all these stairs, other than walking around and admiring Baphuon itself. Look at this view!

Carvings are everywhere, even at Prasat Baphuon!

Always love a nice, low walkway to get some knee exercises in!

The Temple Rear

After descending some of the scariest stairs of my life, I realize that the Baphuon Temple rear is pretty beautiful too!

That’s a shot of the rear wall as we head out of Prasat Baphuon towards our man with the tuk-tuk.

We leave Prasat Baphuon and move onto the next stops that will include Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Greatest Hits! I hope you enjoyed walking around this beautiful temple that holds so much promise, as it will hopefully be restored to a fully functional temple.

What did you think? Have you ever been to Prasat Baphuon? I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments section!

This Prasat Baphuon travel guide is part of our series on Cambodia Travel and Southeast Asia Travel. It was originally created on February 2, 2016. It has been maintained and updated (as of December 27, 2018) to reflect current viewpoints and travel trends.