[2025 Siem Reap Attraction] Travel Guide for Preah Ponlea Sdach Komlong (Terrace Of The Leper King) (Updated Mar)

Don’t miss: - the nine-headed nagas - the ladies wear a crown of nagas - beautiful carvings in the inner wall as well as the exterior wall The Terrace of the Leper King (or Leper King Terrace) is located in the northwest corner of the Royal Square of Angkor Thom, Cambodia. The statue was called the "Leper King" because discolouration and moss growing on it was reminiscent of a person with leprosy, and also because of a Cambodian legend of an Angkorian king Yasovarman I who had leprosy. Some scholars thought that the statue represented Kubera, guarding the underworlds with his yakshas, but some considered the statue as Yama, the god of the dead. The Terrace of the Leper King has carvings of nagas (dragons), demons and various mythical beings. The inner wall was built first, and the outer wall was added later covering the inner wall. Archaeologists excavated the inner wall in the late 1990s. The four tiers of apsaras and other figures, including nagas, look as fresh as if they had been carved yesterday, thanks to being covered up for centuries. Some of the figures carry fearsome expressions. As you follow the inner wall of the Terrace of the Leper King, notice the increasingly rough chisel marks on the figures, an indication that this wall was never completed, like many of the temples at Angkor. #historical #temples #awesomepic #2023旅行願望 #2023trip #2023travel #2023travelwish

#bucketlistreboot The terrace of the leper king was built by Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. Both the terrace of the elephant to the south and the terrace of the leper to the north, form the eastern boundary of the royal palace grounds It is around 600 metres north from the Bayon temple. The unusual name comes from a 15th century statue Hindu god Yama that was completely covered in moss and locals thought it resembled somebody with leprosy. The terrace is 25 metres long completely covered in cravings, mostly female celestial beings, Garudas and Naga snakes. The terrace is one of the most visited sites in Angkor Park, it is located at the centre, whichever way you go, will pass this spot.

6-day tour of Cambodia, explore the mysterious Angkor Wat, experience ancient culture, taste local food, and enjoy an exciting itinerary. Don't miss it! -------------------- Route suggestions: DAY 1: Royal Palace of Cambodia - Independence Monument - Wat Phnom Visit the Royal Palace to experience the historical heritage, then head to the Independence Monument to learn about the country's history, and finally climb Wat Phnom to overlook the city. DAY 2: Angkor Night Market The Angkor Night Market is bustling at night. Taste authentic snacks, pick out unique handicrafts, and experience the local nightlife. DAY 3: Bayon Temple - Terrace of the Leper King Visit the ancient Bayon Temple to experience the mysterious religious atmosphere, then head to the Terrace of the Leper King to explore historical legends. DAY 4: [Siem Reap] Free time Enjoy a whole day of free time in Siem Reap. You can visit the local market or choose a favorite attraction for an in-depth tour. DAY 5: Wat Phnom Visit the unique Wat Phnom to appreciate the architectural style and religious culture of Cambodia and experience tranquility and solemnity. DAY 6: Phnom Penh - Kunming End your pleasant trip to Cambodia and return to Kunming from Phnom Penh with full memories and rewards! -------------------- Must-see attractions: 🌟 Bayon Temple: A great place to watch the sunrise! 🌅 Imagine standing in front of an ancient temple to welcome the first ray of sunshine. It's breathtaking! 🔥 Terrace of the Leper King: A site built with red stones, with exquisite reliefs that are amazing! 💯 The close combination of history and art is definitely not to be missed! -------------------- Travel essentials: 🧳Cambodia travel packing list 📞Prepare a SIM card for both Internet and phone calls. When you arrive in Cambodia, buy a local SIM card for Internet access and to keep in touch with your family. 🔌A plug adapter is a must-have for charging. The plug type in Cambodia may be different from ours. Bring an adapter to keep your devices charged anytime, anywhere. 🪪Complete documents for smooth entry and exit. Don't forget your passport and visa for easy entry into Cambodia. Also, remember to back up your document information! -------------------- Hope this guide helps you have a great time in Cambodia and not get lost! 🌴✨ Have a nice trip!

#voyagevibes The name of the Terrace of the Leper King is directly related to the Buddha statue found during the clearing at this place. At the same time, several versions of the origin of the name are put forward: the first is that the statue found was covered with lichen, resembling a skin disease in appearance; the second is that the king himself (Jayavarman VII) was ill with leprosy. The third is that it was a statue of King Yama, the lord of death and justice, who decided the fate of people after their death: where should they go to hell or heaven. The latest version, according to scientists, is more true. In this regard, the main purpose of the Terrace was to administer justice from it. But there is another function of the Terrace – it is the cremation of deceased royal persons (according to some reports, it is happening here today). It was built at the end of the XII century, during the reign of Jayavarman VII (Jayavarman VII, ruled from 1181 to 1220). The clearing of the territory began in the early XX century, and restoration work in the 60-70s of the XX century. The Buddha statue located on the upper platform is of interest, as well as numerous bas-reliefs on the walls of the outer and inner galleries, which are definitely worth a look. It is located in line with the Terrace of Elephants, but is a free-standing structure (see the Terrace of the Leper King on the map of Angkor). Its visit is carried out in conjunction with an inspection of the Elephant Terrace (if you go from the south), or after a Warm Pranam (if you move from the north). The terrace of the Leper King is a monolithic cylindrical structure with a diameter of 25 m and a wall height of 6 m. It has two galleries with bas-reliefs: an external and an internal one. The inner gallery, unlike the outer one, is hidden from view and is located a couple of meters behind the outer wall, the entrance to it is located from the south, slightly to the right of the ascent to the upper platform of the Terrace. You can climb up to the Buddha statue from the south or north sides. The outer gallery of the Terrace of the Leper King contains bas-reliefs with figures of armed men, apsaras, demons and others, which are seated in a row very close to each other. The images are placed in seven rows horizontally, the uppermost – seventh row is almost not preserved. All the panels are very well preserved and quite interesting, however, if you do not look closely, they give the impression of monotony and monotony. The inner gallery was built much earlier than the outer one, but during the construction of the outer wall it was covered with earth and cleared only during restoration work, and therefore it is in much better preservation than the outer wall. The inconspicuous entrance to the gallery is located on the south side, and leads through a narrow passage to the northern exit to the upper platform of the Terrace. Here the bas-reliefs are divided into four horizontal rows and represent many figures of marine life (fish, crocodiles), animals (elephants), unchanging apsaras and garudas, people, warriors and others. The corners of the gallery in some places are decorated with bas-reliefs of nagas (snakes) and garudas (birds).

Another sunny morning, our little TUTU leisurely crosses the jungle again, even more relaxed are the people riding on elephants, this ancient mode of transportation is more suitable for the tall jungle The light has just moved to the edge of the stone corridor, where Apsara fairies dance in various poses hidden in the darkness. A palm-sized spider, indifferent to everything, weaves a silver web in a corner of the stone gate. We walk into this tall tower mountain, where large murals exquisitely tempt us deeper Across the forest, the Zodiac Towers emerge. Walking down from the viewing platform, while admiring the countless war elephants carved on the walls, to the north is the famous Leper King Terrace. The layered and intertwined Buddha statues in various postures dazzle me, stars twinkle, and my head spins (why don't you try walking a few hundred meters under the midday sun with no shade?) In the evening, one cannot simply stay in the hotel. Once again at Angkor Wat, following the many tourists, we listen to the guide talk about the past. Ancient legends are carved on the walls, and the most beautiful is the soft light of the sunset filtering through the countless pillars in the cloister, dividing it into beams of light, with monks in robes passing by, flickering in and out of the light... Following the steep stairs, the children and I climb to the third floor, said to be the gateway to heaven. Corridors lead us round and round, directionless, occasionally a beam of light shines on a Buddha statue in a dark stone chamber, glittering with gold Palm trees cannot hide the grandeur and splendor of the temple, as the sunset gradually merges into the vast mist Night falls, and it's time to go to Pub Street for my beer