Ta Keo Temple

Ta Keo is an early 11th-century Hindu temple mountain that was the first Angkor monument to be constructed entirely from sandstone rather than brick. Built by Jayavarman V and dedicated to Shiva, it rises on five steep terraces to five towers at its summit, all largely unadorned because the temple was never completed. Historical accounts suggest work stopped following the king's death, leaving the stonework uncarved and the surfaces raw. Despite its unfinished state, Ta Keo is admired for the purity of its monumental form and the impressive scale of its construction. Climbing the very steep steps to the upper sanctuary rewards visitors with sweeping views over the surrounding forest canopy.