Zhou Daguan's chronicles claim the king spent the first watch of every night with a serpent spirit disguised as a woman in the temple's golden tower.
The name Phimeanakas translates from Khmer as 'celestial or aerial temple'.
It is the only structure remaining from the original royal palace complex built by King Rajendravarman II.
The structure displays a mix of construction materials, primarily laterite blocks, with some sandstone used for decorative elements.
The steep staircases were designed to represent the difficult ascent to the realm of the gods.
Archaeological evidence suggests the temple was originally surrounded by a wooden wall and roofed galleries that are now completely lost.
Phimeanakas is a 10th-century Hindu temple located within the Royal Enclosure of the Angkor Thom complex in Cambodia. Originally built as a pyramid-style structure with three laterite tiers, it served as the royal temple for Khmer kings. The design features steep, narrow stone staircases on all four sides leading to a gallery at the summit. It represents one of the earliest examples of the temple-mountain architectural style in the Angkor region. The temple stands 12 meters high and was once topped with a golden tower, as famously documented by the Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan in the late 13th century. It sits at the heart of the ancient walled city, distinct from the nearby Bayon or Baphuon temples. Its foundation remains relatively intact, although the original timber structures that once crowned the tiers have long since perished.
The path leading from the base provides the best angle to capture the full verticality of the three-tiered pyramid.
Exercise extreme caution when climbing the stairs, as the sandstone steps are worn, uneven, and become slippery when damp.
Combine this visit with a walk through the nearby Royal Enclosure walls to see the remaining ponds and foundations.
Bring a hat and sunscreen, as the upper platform offers zero shade from the direct tropical sun.
Do not attempt to climb the stairs if you have vertigo or poor mobility, as the ascent is significantly steeper than modern staircases.
Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter the site; avoid touching or climbing on delicate carvings.
