Preah Khan is a larger temple complex than many others at Angkor. It has four entrances by definition, one for each direction. However, the main entrance for visitors is from the west, and it is closest to the road on the Grand Circuit. The east entrance has a longer walk from a side road.
There is much to explore here. There are four walls encompassing the center complex with the remains of a moat that has dried up long ago. The jungle has made its mark in certain areas, and these are well photographed. It seems the deeper you get into the Grand Circuit the fewer people you see; however, to assure a minimal amount of people around, plan for an early morning visit. Dedicate at least two hours to truly explore Preah Khan.
Some of the better preserved stone carvings at Preah Khan happen to be dancing apsaras above many of the passages throughout the complex. Dancing apsaras are a common theme across Angkor, especially at Bayon Temple. Apsaras are youthful female spirits or deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Many people do not take notice because the carvings are overhead.
As you walk through the center of Preah Khan you'll enter and exit several chambers. One chamber has a stupa in the center with a small alter. If you walk around the stupa and look at the wall and ceiling across the stupa, there is a crack in the wall that allows light to pass through. Positioned just right, it looks like there is a light or flame coming from the top. It looks like a candle in many photos, and it makes a nice photo opportunity. You may also notice deliberate holes lined along the walls here. The theory behind these holes is that, at the height of Angkor’s civilization, jewel inserts were placed in these holes.
After exploring the interior of Preah Khan, take time to walk a well-worn dirt path that encircles the complex from the outside of the surrounding wall. It is very peaceful, and you are unlikely to see many people. Most people go right into the complex and don’t give this dirt path a second thought, which is their loss. It is best to go in the early morning. The sounds of nature along with the solitude of the trail make it a very special time.
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