World Travel GuidesUNESCO World Heritage Site Srah Srang


  Tim the Traveler Homepage Compare Hotel Room Rates from different Booking Sites    


Srah Srang is a man-made body of water located just east of Banteay Kdei. Although it is one of the smallest baray, this reservoir has been there for nine hundred years and is still being used today. Situated to the east of the entrance to Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang offers superb views of sunrise. Originally constructed by Kavindrarimathana, the same architect that built Pre Rup and Prasat Bat Chum, Srah Srang was remodelled by Jayavarman VII during his massive construction boom.

The remains of an ancient temple can be seen in the middle of Srah Srang when the water level is low. This discovery supports the belief that there is a small Mebon-like sanctuary in the middle of Srah Srang.



Srah Srang


The above shot was taken at early morning at Srah Srang. We got there when it was pitch dark, travelling through the quiet streets of Siem Reap when the town was still fast asleep. Our vehicle was the only one creating a twin beam of lights over the country road. As soon as we arrived, I looked for a good vantage point to catch the sunrise. And then we waited.

And waited.

The first ray of sunlight peeked through the blanket of darkness. It lit the distant horizon, making the line of trees at the far end of the reservoir emerge like shadowy figures. Slowly the sky changed from jet black to prussian blue, to cotton cushions in shades of crimson and pink and vermillion. Everybody started snapping away.

To get the perfect picture means I have to wait till the water is absolutely still. So still that you can see the morning sky on its surface. It was one of the most beautiful scenes I have come across at Angkor.

Srah Srang measures 700 meters long by 350 wide. It is not aligned exactly east west but rather slightly southeast by northwest. There is a sandstone terrace on the west bank of Srah Srang with naga balustrades and guardian lions. This is where you should station yourself to catch the sunrise at Angkor.

Construction Details

Built in the mid 10th Century
remodeled in the late 12th Century by King Jayavarman VII
(reigned 1181-1220)

How to reach Srah Srang

Most tuk tuk driver will be familiar with Srah Srang. If you are on a packaged tour, your tour coach may also stop by here for you to have a look. However, you are likely to see it somewhere in the day time, not the best instance for great photography. If you're travelling independently from Siem Reap, the most straightforward way to reach Srah Srang is to take the road from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat. When you see the moat of Angkor Wat, turn right (not left, turning left takes you to Angkor Thom). After a short distance, you will pass Prasat Kravan on your right. After another distance you will see Banteay Kdei on the left, and Srah Srang on the right.



Srah Srang sunrise.


Visitor to Srah Srang.


Return to Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site
Angkor Travel Tips or to Cambodia Travel Guide


Get my latest updates on Google+

Upcoming Tours of Asia

AsiaExplorers teams up with Exotissimo.com to bring you fantastic tour packages to experience Asia. The following are some of the upcoming tours:
  1. Exotissimo.com - Temples Of Angkor - 4 Days / 3 Nights
    On this experience filled tour of Angkor and its environs, save over USD 100 per person. Our Cambodia tour is filled with exciting touches and activities, making it the perfect choice for a luxury Cambodia trip, now for less!

  2. Exotissimo.com - Vietnam Insight - 13 Days / 12 Nights
    A stylish trip traversing the length of Vietnam from South to North. This blended trip of luxury, experience and unique touches is now on promotion for travel between June and August 2012 with savings of over USD 300 per person.

  3. Exotissimo.com - Angkor in Depth - 5 Days / 4 Nights
    Explore Angkor in Depth with amazing savings for travel from May 2012. On this exploratory journey, step off the trodden route for an insight into some of Cambodia's lesser known temples. Save over 20% when selecting our deluxe accommodation category.




Find a hotel








Point - Click - Discover!

Thanks for visiting this webpage. To continue exploring, choose another destination!


My World Travel Guides - celebrating a beautiful world beautifully.



Accessories for your trip