In 2001, Tomb Raider came out with Angelina Jolie gracing the big screen as the swashbuckling, gun-slinging and treasure hunting Lara Croft. While regular moviegoers and critics were busy applauding or criticising the movie from all angles, I was busy replaying the temple ruin scenes over and over in my head. I was like, gosh they did really well with that set…

Then I found out it wasn’t a set at all but a real temple in Cambodia! The moment that realisation hit was the same moment my longing to travel to Cambodia was born. For the next years, visions of crumbling ancient structures locked in constant battle with the jungle continued to tantalise me. Imagining how it would feel to be right there clambering over the tumbled rocks, feeling the giant gnarled roots growing over the ruins, and breathing in the special scents of the forest – all these fuelled my wanderlust.
And so I was elated when finally I was able to visit Ta Prohm in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Yes, Ta Prohm is none other than the Tomb Raider temple and, although crowded when I visited, it was as amazing as I thought it would be! Not only did I have several Lara Croft moments there, I was able to scratch further the surface of Cambodia’s history and culture. Indeed, it was all worth the time and money. My only regret? That I’m just the typical point-and-shoot photographer. If only I had more skills to capture the serene and somewhat heartbreaking beauty of Ta Prohm. Oh well, my pics will just have to do.
Ta Prohm is part of the Small Circuit tour offered by many travel agencies and enterprising tuktuk drivers in Siem Reap. Included in the tour are visits to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, both of which are also grand temples deserving dedicated posts, later when I get the energy hehe. As mentioned in my other posts about Cambodia, this tour is already part of the package we got from our guesthouse – Ta Som Guesthouse. A guide was with us, which I appreciated because an attraction always comes to life for me when I hear its history and stories from a reliable and knowledgeable local source.

Apparently, Ta Prohm was built around the late 12th century to the early 13th century under the orders of King Jayavarman VII. The temple was dedicated to the king’s mother and functioned as a Buddhist monastery and university. It’s quite thought-provoking to know that when kings of old need to remember and honour their deceased relatives, they don’t just stop at creating a simple memorial. They have to create huge temples that will take decades to build and will require the efforts of hundreds of workers.
King Jayavarman must be really devoted to his mother. But considering he also commissioned temples for his other relatives, maybe he did all of that for economic purposes? Or serious commitment to their religion? No matter the reason, as a 21st century person, I am thankful that these immense structures, even though they are already ruins, still exist on earth. They certainly make living on this planet more interesting. 🙂

There are so many things to look at and investigate around Ta Prohm. However, I feel like the above deserve special mention. Top left looks like a dinosaur, particularly a Stegosaurus, doesn’t it? Mind-boggling because dinosaurs have long been extinct by the end of the 12th century when this temple was built. Or did the inhabitants of this place at the time really did co-exist with Stegosauruses? Questions, questions. The Smithsonian postulates though that this carving is just a rhino or boar surrounded by leaves.
Then there are the highly detailed carvings on the top right picture above. Those definitely require skills! As for the lower left sculpture, she is an Apsara dancer. Yes they carved barely dressed women on their temple walls. It just goes to show you that cultures and religions vary and what might be right for one group won’t always sit well with others. So we must all learn to be tolerant and open minded as much as we can because not all that we’ve been taught since we’re young is the final or only truth. Finally, there’s that Buddha sculpture peeking from behind the tree roots. Soooo mysterious!
My friends and I spent around an hour or two at Ta Prohm just listening to the stories of the guide, clambering over tumbled rocks and of course, taking pictures!

More important and despite the heat, I had such a great time absorbing all the Tomb Raider moments! The jungle was also fascinating. There were these giant deciduous trees called Spung that are growing over the temple ruins. Their humongous roots were everywhere – boring holes through stone walls and trampling over roofs. Truly, Ta Prohm deserves its other moniker – The Kingdom of Trees. Saying that aloud gives me goose bumps!

Since the temple can get super crowded during peak seasons, particularly in the middle of the day, it is advisable to go there early in the morning (maybe 7 or 8 AM) before the buses bursting with tourists arrive. We were there during peak hours though because we scheduled a visit to Angkor Wat that morning to witness the sunrise. It was crowded and hot when we arrived, and people were lining up to get photos of the Tomb Raider tree. Still, the beauty of the place cannot be denied and I did enjoy myself.

All in all, Ta Prohm also known as the Tomb Raider Temple or the Kingdom of Trees is a must-visit in Cambodia, especially if you love history or ancient architecture. I highly recommend seeing it.
woah!!!! That tree is looking good and HUGEEEE!!!! now, i wanna travel to Cambodia!
Oh please do! The country has lots to offer and I’m sure you’ll have fun! 🙂
That Buddha statue behind some roots is really interesting! I love to go, when possible, to places where movies were filmed – it looks like you had fun at this temple – and there is so much more to it than the fact that some scenes were filmed here.
It was indeed fun and you get to learn a lot too. And yeah that Buddha statue behind the roots was one of the highlights there. All the guides will point it out to visitors. Do visit it if you can, you won’t regret it 🙂
This is another nature wonders I ever see. The roots are so huge but the branches are not proportionate to the roots. I don’t know if this is already answered why it is so. I am too curious about it.
Ta Prohm is also my favorite among all the ruins I have visited in the Angkor Archaeological Park. I hope to revisit it again someday.
It is a great place, isn’t it? I too want to revisit soon.
I would like to visit this someday, it is so beautiful and majestic. Did you enjoy the tour?
Very much! Hope you too can visit soon. You’ll surely enjoy the trip too.
Always wanted to get the chance to visit Seam Reap. Looks like a lovely place to take a step back in time 🙂
Hope you can visit it soon. It’s a beautiful place with plenty to offer.
Really it’s beautiful to visit this place and I like the roots…it makes the structure looks authentic…really alive!
Do visit one of these days, you won’t regret it. And it’s affordable there so there’s that hehe
The energy here is so magnetic. It’s definitely my favorite temple ever. Too bad it’s always crowded though.
Such an interesting discovery for you! To be in the same location as Angie during her filming shoots!
Wow, Tomb Raider was done in Cambodia? I never knew that~ It must be pretty cool to revisiting a film set! Want to try that one day~
I don’t really remember the details of the first film of Tomb Raider, so it was in Cambodia? Haven’t been there myself, hope I can visit the ruins in the future!
ive never watched tomb raider but i would love to visit this place regardless
I’ve seen a lot of good places in Cambodia. Hope to visit it soon and will definitely include this in place in my list. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
This was one of my favourite temples in Siem Reap! Totally loved wondering the ruins, thanks for the reminder on a Monday morning of one my fave trips – one that I have never gotten to write about yet!! 🙂
This is quite an interesting fact and actually didnt know about this fact. It must have been great visiting a movie set!
I’ve been here as well and it really is quite beautiful and amazing! I love how rich Cambodia’s history is! 😀
Siem Reap os in my travel list. Hopefully, we can be there by next year. BTW, awesome photos.
Ta Prohm is among my favorite temple in Siem Reap. It’s just amazing seeing the roots overpower the temples in a fusion between ancient architecture and nature.
Angkor Wat is such an amazing place. The old temples and their stones carving are slowly deteriorating. I hope the UNESCO will help to restore it.
This makes me miss Siem Reap. Been there last year. And this post makes me remember the memories! Tomb Raider it is! 😀
I think you did a fantastic job with your photos. And I too believe that was a stegasaurus. I think it’s so cool how you gave us a history lesson. I was very into your article. Thank you for posting and keep up the great work.
thank you! 🙂
I have been here before and after the Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm is my other favorite place in Siem Reap. The gigantic roots overgrowing on the temples are really a very memorable sight to see. – Fred
What a great place to visit, I’ve notice this scene in the Tomb Raider movie.
The place looks scary and haunted. 🙁 Haven’t been out of the country but hopefully I get to travel and see these places soon!
Admittedly, when I watched Tomb Raider I didn’t think this place do exist. I thought its all graphically designed for production purposes but hell, yeah I’m wrong upon further researching about the location.- KarenT
I know right; looked so unreal! But so glad it’s real hehe