West Mebon Baray Temple

It was a long hot day of temple watching, and the boat ride was much appreciated, i had the whole boat to myself. i had always been curious about the temple, which was mostly underwater, and i had heard that it was being resurrected and so cruising along the Baray one afternoon, i noticed boats tied up at the dam. My trusted tuktuk driver told me that i could go out to the temple for 20 USD. There didn't seem to be anyone waiting in line, so why not? the boats have seen a long life of hard use, and safety-wise were slightly lacking, but I've been out in dangerous waters in less safe things than this. They are the exact same type of boat used in the tourist trade at the floating villages. There is little doubt that's where they came from when they retired. The approach to the island doesn't give much of a clue that there is anything happening except for the huge crane for lifting the sandstone blocks into place, incidentally there is a boatload of good videos on YouTube showing the work in far more detail than you can see here, which shows about everything on what is happening now, has happened or is yet to happen, so i recommend watching all or a few of them before you go out there. Meanwhile, the workers were overloading on their transport barge. I can't help the stuff that OSHA drilled into me from coming out. There is a trail along the shore which is fenced in or off from the work, and the workers were just leaving, so there wasn't much to see, pretty much all the work was on posters at the viewing hut at the end of the trail, I contemplated squeezing through the fence for a closer look, but I didn't want to be that guy, so I didn't. Be sure to bring a high-power lens, because you can’t get too close to the actual site. On the way back there were people setting up picnics along the shore, on the high banks, and a fisherman with a boatload of net passed us on his way home. Looks good to me. Now I have the information to absorb a few more videos.

Angkor adventure awaits! 🤩 Explore West Mebon, a unique temple island in the vast West Baray, dating to the 11th century! ⏳ Unearth its ancient art & the story of the reclining Vishnu found here. Restoration in progress until ~2030. Witness history! ✨ #koompii #koompiitravel #WestMebon #Angkor #Cambodia #TempleIsland #AncientHistory #TravelAsia #Wanderlust

Took a boat $20 to the island. That is worth one star just to be on the water. You can walk around the island and view from the perimeter only. So four stars for that quiet beach walk with a view. If you need to get up close and personal with the temple this tour is not for you. Would recommend for the serenity and change of pace.

Quiet temple at the center of the Baray Need to go by boat I was alone and took a tiny boat from the spot firefly south of the island. Initially asked for 10$ we settled on 5$. Probably could negotiate even less. When I arrived there was no one waiting so I took a boat immediately, but when I got back there was one person waiting. So I guess it depends on your timing and luck. The boat took me to the island and waited for me. Visiting the island takes between 10 and 20 minutes You are not allowed to enter the temple since it's under reconstruction. It's a shame as I really wanted to see what is inside the walls. Luckily information boards in the shed do have some aerial photos so I do know it used to be a pond with a causeway but now it's just empty square with vegetation. Reconstruction seems to be done slow but property which is rather comforting to see You can only walk along the perimeter fence for about 25% of the total perimeter to a small shed at the north center axis of the island. In the shed you can read several I testing information boards about the history of temple and ongoing reconstruction works There is a small local shop at the island where you can buy drinks or beer The spot I was departing also has a few hammocks and shop and tubes for kids to play in the water. I spent 30 minutes Chilling at the spot after the island trip.

It is great place which built by Angkor King. The construction is under Apsara National Authority

You cant really grasp the size of this 1000 year old hand dug water reservoir unless you come see it for yourselves. There is a temple with pond under restoration on the island at its centre which you can reach via motorboat. No trip to Angkor without seeing this wonder, even from a distance ( the reservoir is visible from the top of Phnom Bakheng.

This is a lovely spot to relax by a huge body of water. You can buy food to eat as you relax and enjoy the gentle movement of cooler air o er the water.

We visited a floating village on the Baray. Our guide said that non-Cambodian Nationals aren't allowed to own land, so these immigrants formed this little village on the water. Since the body of water is man-made, its about 5 to 6 feet deep through out the reservoir. They fish the waters, move about the water ways in boats and some homes have electricity or little gardens.