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Heritage & monuments

Baray

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Baray

The Baray

The Baray is a massive reservoir constructed during the Khmer Empire within the Angkor archaeological site. Visitors go here to see the scale of ancient Khmer water management systems and the engineering used to support the region's agriculture and urban centers.

Getting There

The site is located outside the main city center of Siem Reap. Most travelers reach the reservoir via tuk-tuk or hired vehicle. The journey typically takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic and the specific starting point within the city.

Time Allocation

Allow approximately 1 to 2 hours to explore the perimeter and the associated structures. The experience consists primarily of viewing the expanse of the water and the surrounding embankments.

When to Visit

Early morning or late afternoon is recommended to avoid the midday heat, as there is limited shade around the reservoir. The site is generally less crowded than the primary temples of Angkor Wat or Bayon, though tour groups are common during the peak dry season.

Nearby Attractions

Because of its location, this site is easily combined with other nearby monuments:

  • West Baray: Located at the same site (0km).
  • West Mebon: A temple situated on an island within the reservoir (0.1km).
  • Ak Yum: A temple located 2.8km away.
  • Prasat Chrung: A temple located 5.3km away.

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near Baray

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

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Baray Nearby stays

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Good to visit alongside

West Baray

Heritage & monuments

West Baray

This is the largest artificial reservoir among the Angkor ruins, located west of Angkor Thom. Spanning 7.8 km by 2.1 km, its vast expanse of water offers an open, sweeping view worth enjoying.

0.0 km away

West Mebon

Temples & religious sites

West Mebon

West Mebon is a temple at the center of the West Baray reservoir among the Angkor ruins in Siem Reap. Since it sits within Angkor's largest reservoir, you'll need to reach it by boat, and it's believed to have been built around the 11th century.

0.1 km away

Ak Yum

Heritage & monuments

Ak Yum

Ak Yum is an ancient temple in the Angkor area, known as the oldest surviving "temple mountain" in Southeast Asia. Believed to date to the 8th century, it's a site well worth including in any Angkor tour.

2.8 km away

Prasat Chrung

Heritage & monuments

Prasat Chrung

Prasat Chrung refers to the sandstone temples built at each of the four corners of Angkor Thom's city wall, dedicated to Avalokiteshvara in the Bayon style. Their distinctive east-facing cruciform layout makes them a worthwhile stop while touring the Angkor temples.

5.3 km away

Baphuon

Temples & religious sites

Baphuon

Baphuon is a three-tiered temple mountain located inside Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon. Built in the mid-11th century to honor Shiva, it showcases distinctive arched architecture.

6.1 km away

Phnom Bakheng

Heritage & monuments

Phnom Bakheng

Phnom Bakheng is a temple-mountain-style Hindu shrine within the Angkor complex near Siem Reap, dedicated to the god Shiva. Believed to have been built in the late 9th century during the reign of King Yasovarman, it offers a glimpse of early Angkorian temple architecture.

6.1 km away