🛕 Wat Athvea
វត្តអធ្វា
Province
Siem Reap
Era
Classical Angkorian
Difficulty
🟢 Easy
Crowds
😌 Low Crowds
Key Facts
Built: 12th century
Built by: King Suryavarman II
Religion: Hindu
Entry Fee: Free
Time Needed: 20–30 minutes
A rarely-visited Angkorian temple within an active Buddhist pagoda compound — one of Siem Reap's hidden secrets.
Wat Athvea is one of Siem Reap's best-kept secrets — an authentic Angkorian temple built by Suryavarman II (the builder of Angkor Wat) that sits virtually unvisited within the compound of a modern Buddhist pagoda. Located just 4 km south of Siem Reap town, the temple is easily accessible yet almost completely unknown to tourists. The sandstone temple features well-preserved pediments and lintels, and its intimate scale and complete absence of crowds create an authentic, contemplative experience. The contrast with an active modern pagoda alongside makes for interesting photography.
Highlights
- ✦ Virtually unknown to tourists
- ✦ Built by Suryavarman II (same as Angkor Wat)
- ✦ Active modern pagoda alongside
- ✦ Free entry
- ✦ 4 km from Siem Reap center
- ✦ Well-preserved pediments and lintels
Best Time to Visit
Any time
Visitor Tips
- 💡 Only 4 km south of Siem Reap — easy tuk-tuk ride
- 💡 Completely free entry — not part of the Angkor Pass system
- 💡 You'll likely have the temple entirely to yourself
- 💡 An active monastery — dress respectfully
Nearby Temples
13.3419°N, 103.8575°E
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