Things to Do at Ta Prohm
Complete Guide to Ta Prohm in Siem Reap
About Ta Prohm
What to See & Do
The Famous Tree Root Doorway
The most photographed spot in Ta Prohm - a silk-cotton tree's root system flowing over a doorway like melted wax. The queue for a photo can hit 20 minutes at peak times. Come at 7:30 AM or after 3:30 PM for a clear shot. The root system is still growing and the conservation team debates annually whether to cut or preserve
The Tomb Raider Tree
The massive strangler fig where Angelina Jolie's Lara Croft picked a jasmine flower in the 2001 film. It's near the east entrance and the most crowded spot in the temple. A small sign marks the location. The tree has grown noticeably since filming - compare your photo to the movie still on your phone
Hall of Dancers
A partially collapsed hall with carved apsara (celestial dancer) figures on every pillar - rows of identical dancers with elaborate headdresses and arched poses. The repetition creates a hypnotic effect, especially in the shafts of light that penetrate the broken roof. This is where the temple's 615 dancers once performed
Collapsed Gallery Sections
Entire corridors where the roof has caved in and sandstone blocks lie in piles like scattered dice. The conservation team has left them as found rather than rebuilding. Climbing over and through the rubble (where permitted) gives you a visceral sense of the jungle's power - 800 years of root pressure did this
The Strangler Fig Formations
Throughout the temple, strangler fig roots have grown around and through stone walls, creating organic sculptures that look designed. The most dramatic formations are along the outer eastern gallery. The figs will eventually destroy the temple - the same roots holding the stones together are also prying them apart
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, though the temple is most atmospheric in early morning or late afternoon light
Tickets & Pricing
Included in the Angkor Archaeological Park pass - 1-day pass $37, 3-day pass $62, 7-day pass $72. You'll need to show your pass at the entrance
Best Time to Visit
Early morning (7:30-9:00 AM) or late afternoon (3:30-5:00 PM) for the best light and fewer crowds. The dry season (November to March) offers easier walking conditions
Suggested Duration
Plan for 1-2 hours to properly explore, though you could easily spend longer if you're into photography
Getting There
Things to Do Nearby
A quieter Buddhist temple just 500 meters away, with similar jungle overgrowth but far fewer visitors - worth the short detour
The 'Royal Bath' reservoir directly across from Banteay Kdei - a peaceful spot for sunrise or sunset if you're templed out
Another spectacular overgrown temple about 15 minutes north, often called Ta Prohm's bigger, less crowded sibling
A temple-mountain with excellent views, located on the Grand Circuit route - good for climbing if your knees can handle it
Another temple-mountain known for sunset views, though it gets quite busy in the late afternoon