Pre-Angkorian Half Day Roluos Group Temple Tour

Twelve kilometres southeast of Siem Reap lie the remains of Hariharalaya, the former capital of King Indravarman I and the starting point of Khmer classical architecture. The Roluos Group comprises three 9th century temples: Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko, built using durable brick and carved plaster in a style that would later evolve into the grand sandstone monuments of Angkor. Their shared architecture and decoration mark the beginning of the Classic Period of Khmer art, predating Angkor Wat by more than two centuries. A Buddhist monastery now sits nearby, its monks living alongside this piece of early Khmer history. On the return drive, pass rice fields and small villages that give a sense of everyday life in the Siem Reap countryside. A half day that fits naturally alongside any other Angkor excursion, tracing the roots of the empire before its most famous temples were built.