Terrace of the Elephants, Siem Reap

Historic Site in Siem Reap

Terrace of the Elephants
Terrace of the Elephants
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Diego Delso

Set inside the walled city of Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Elephants is a long ceremonial platform that feels made for wandering: a raised stone stage lined with carvings, facing the open square where crowds once gathered for royal processions. It is one of those Angkor stops that works even if you are “templed out,” because the experience is more about the rhythm of walking along the reliefs than standing still in one sanctuary.

The terrace's fame comes from its elephant procession carvings and the sense of scale-this is not a small decorative panel, but a major piece of civic theatre in stone. Positioned near the Royal Palace area (including Phimeanakas), it also sits naturally on the classic Angkor Thom route, making it an easy, high-reward detour between bigger headline temples.

History and Significance of the Terrace of the Elephants

The Terrace of the Elephants dates to Angkor's great city-building period and is closely associated with Jayavarman VII's Angkor Thom, when public ceremony, royal authority, and urban space were tightly linked. It functioned as a viewing platform where the king and court could preside over parades, receptions, and state occasions, turning the central square into a formal stage for the empire.

What you see today is the enduring stone face of a larger complex that originally included substantial wooden structures above the platform-pavilions and architectural elements that have not survived in the same way as the carved retaining walls. That contrast is part of the site’s appeal: the carvings are vivid enough to suggest the spectacle, while the open platform lets you imagine the temporary structures that once completed the scene.

The terrace is also significant as “reading material” for Angkor. The carvings are not only decorative; they communicate power and order through repeated procession imagery, guardian figures, and mythic symbolism, reminding you that Angkor Thom was a functioning capital, not just a cluster of monuments.

Things to See and Do in the Terrace of the Elephants

The best way to experience the terrace is to walk its full length at a slow pace, scanning for shifts in carving style and scenes as you go. The elephants and their mahouts are the headline, but the texture comes from the supporting cast-garudas, lions, and layered decorative motifs that reward close looking rather than quick photos.

Pay attention to how the terrace “performs” as architecture. It is designed to be seen front-on from the square, so step back when you can to understand why the reliefs are so bold and rhythmic. Then move closer again to spot details that disappear at distance, especially around stairways and projecting sections.

It also pairs well with a simple Angkor Thom mini-route: Bayon for the central impact, the Terrace of the Elephants for procession imagery, and then the nearby Terrace of the Leper King for a tighter, more enclosed relief experience. This sequence gives you variety without long travel time inside the city.

How to Get to the Terrace of the Elephants

The nearest airport is Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI), and most visitors reach Angkor Thom by arranging a tuk-tuk or taxi from Siem Reap, then entering the park via the main approaches toward Angkor Thom's gates. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Siem Reap on Booking.com.

There is no practical train service directly to Siem Reap for most itineraries, so overland routes typically rely on buses or private transfers rather than rail connections. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

The easiest way to visit is by tuk-tuk for a flexible, stop-and-start day, or by hiring a car with driver if you want air-conditioning between temples and a smoother plan for longer circuits.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Terrace of the Elephants

  • Entrance fee: Included with the Angkor Archaeological Park pass (1-day: US$37; 3-day: US$62; 7-day: US$72).
  • Opening hours: Daily: 07:30–17:30.
  • Official website: https://www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh/en
  • Best time to visit: Aim for early morning or late afternoon when the light brings out the carvings and the heat is lower. If you can, time your visit for a quieter window between tour groups so you can take in the length of the terrace without feeling rushed.
  • How long to spend: Plan on 30-60 minutes if you want to walk the full terrace, study the elephant reliefs, and take photos from several angles. If you are doing a broader Angkor day, it fits well as a shorter 20-30 minute stop paired with nearby temples.
  • Accessibility: Expect uneven stone surfaces, steps, and occasional narrow or crowded passages, which can be challenging for wheelchairs and tricky for anyone unsteady on their feet. Sturdy footwear helps, and it is worth moving slowly on worn stones, especially after rain.
  • Facilities: Facilities are limited at the monument itself, so rely on the wider Angkor complex for restrooms, drinks, and shade stops. Bring water and sun protection, and consider a light scarf or mask if dust and heat are an issue during the dry season.

Where to Stay Close to the Terrace of the Elephants

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself centrally in Siem Reap (Old Market/Pub Street side) so you can mix temples with food, cafés, and evening walks; if your main focus is early starts and quick park access, choose the quieter north/road-to-Angkor side where morning departures feel simpler.

For a classic, high-comfort base with strong service and an easy run to Angkor, consider Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor. For a quieter, boutique-style stay that suits early mornings and downtime between temple days, Jaya House River Park is a strong option. If you want a well-located, modern hotel for a walkable city base, Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa places you close to dining while keeping Angkor days straightforward.

Is the Terrace of the Elephants Worth Visiting?

Yes-this is one of Angkor Thom’s most satisfying “walkable” monuments, with carvings that read clearly even without a guide and a layout that naturally fits into a Bayon-to-Royal-Palace route. It is also an excellent change of pace from tower-climbing and interior chambers, because the experience is open-air, linear, and easy to take in at your own rhythm.

The honest pivot is that you can skip it if you are doing a very compressed, highlights-only Angkor day and feel overloaded by stone reliefs after Bayon. In that case, treat it as a quick pass-by viewpoint from the central square rather than a full-length walk, and save your time for one major temple where you want to linger.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (2,224)

Terrace of the Elephants, located in Krong Siem Reap, is a long open stone platform famed for its intricate elephant carvings and statues where kings once stood to view parades and public ceremonies; visitors praise its impressive scale, detailed reliefs (including Garuda panels), open views across Angkor Thom, and a sense of the nearby jungle with large trees and occasional monkeys, though surfaces can be uneven and some upper sections may be closed at times.

Renay Mermaid
a month ago
"Absolutely incredible! Mind boggling! Lots of walking on uneven surfaces, but well worth it! The scale of these temples is astounding! Several verybig trees. Gorgeous areas where the jungle it's evident close by. A few monkeys, one of which was naughty and bit a passer-by on the leg! 😯 Wonderful views over ground and several smaller temples and structures within the complex...."
Moeun Sokchea
a month ago
"Aligned due north from the centre of Bayon to the Terraee of the Leper King, the 300m (100oft) long Elephant Terrace is a viewing platform from wherethe king and his retinue would view military parades and preside over other public functions of the state. Zhou Daguan observed at the end of the 13th century that the king would appear daily on the terrace where, framed by a golden window, he would listen to complaints and dispense justice. The terrace today appears as an open stone platform but would originally have supported substantial wooden pavilions as illustrated in the virtual reconstruction on the facing page. Early restoration of the surface of the terrace uncovered large postholes for these pavilions indicating both orientation and scale. The principal scene carved into the terrace is of elephants hunting under the guidance of their mahouts. They dominate the jungle and charge through the foliage using their trunks to fight off tigers that appear to leap out from behind the trees. Elsewhere they can be seen grabbing a cow or holding a man upside down. Another scene shows elephants decked out for a royal procession led by the king, and attended by his court. Look out for the mount of the Hindu god Indra, the three- headed elephant Airavata, who flanks the stairway up to the three-metre high terrace, and represents rain as well as prosperity. To the north lies the Terrace of the Leper King with a replica statue of the Leper King himself (the original is in the National Museum of Cambodia, in Phnom Penh). Thanks to an inscription on the base, we know the so-called Leper King is actually an image of Yama, the god of the dead who judges all souls and assesses their suitability for heaven or hell. He is represented without clothing and with fangs. Thus scholarly conjecture has it that this was perhaps the location of a pavilion used as a funeral pyre...."
Chetra Yoeurn
2 weeks ago
"One of the remarkable historical landmarks in Angkor Thom, constructed by King Jayavarman VII towards the end of the 12th century. The walls of thissite are adorned with intricate elephant carvings. Additionally, there is a portion of the wall featuring Garuda carvings that we found delightful to observe. In contemporary times, it serves as a favored venue for national events and pre-wedding ceremonies...."

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This is a good family stop because it is simple to understand visually: elephants, lions, and “procession” imagery are easy for kids to spot without needing long explanations. Keep it short and game-like-walk a section, find the clearest elephants, then move on before heat and fatigue set in.

Strollers can be frustrating on uneven stone and dusty paths, so plan for carrying younger children or using a lightweight option. The terrace also works well as a breather between bigger temples because it is outdoors and less claustrophobic than darker interior galleries.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the terrace shines as a slow, scenic walk with a strong sense of place-especially in softer light when the carvings gain depth and the square feels calmer. It is ideal for unhurried photos, then a gentle transition to nearby stops without the pressure of “must-see” interiors.

If you are building a romantic Angkor day, place this between two bigger temples so your itinerary has breathing room. The terrace gives you a shared “walk and talk” segment that balances the intensity of the major sanctuaries.

Budget Travelers

This is excellent value because it is included in the Angkor pass and does not require extra transport beyond what you are already using for Angkor Thom. You can get a lot out of it simply by walking slowly, using the carvings as your “guided tour” without paying for additional add-ons.

To keep costs down, combine it with other Angkor Thom highlights on the same loop and avoid backtracking. A focused Angkor Thom circuit (Bayon, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, gates) can be one of the most efficient days in the park.

FAQs for Visiting Terrace of the Elephants

Getting There

It sits in the Royal Palace area of Angkor Thom, facing the central square and fitting naturally on the route between Bayon and nearby terrace sites. Once you are inside Angkor Thom, it is easiest to reach by following signs toward the Royal Palace/Phimeanakas zone.
Link it with Bayon and the Terrace of the Leper King in one continuous loop so you do not waste time relocating. This keeps your day efficient and gives you variety in architecture and relief styles without long transfers.

Tickets & Entry

No, it is part of the Angkor Archaeological Park circuit and is visited using the same park pass. You will typically encounter pass checks at broader site access points rather than at the terrace itself.
Not for the terrace on its own. The only “planning” advantage is timing-arriving earlier makes the walk calmer and the carvings easier to photograph without crowds.

Visiting Experience

A focused visit can be 15-25 minutes if you walk a key section and get a sense of the main elephant panels. If you want the full effect, allow 30-45 minutes to stroll the length and stop for details.
Light rain can actually improve the atmosphere, but surfaces can get slippery and the walk becomes less comfortable. If storms are heavy, prioritise safer footing and treat the terrace as a quick look rather than a slow, full-length walk.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

It is easy to appreciate independently because the imagery is clear and the layout is straightforward. A guide adds value if you want deeper context on iconography, procession symbolism, and how this terrace functioned in daily court life.
A compact loop is Bayon first, then walk/drive to the Terrace of the Elephants, continue to the Terrace of the Leper King, and finish with a brief stop at a nearby gate viewpoint. It keeps your time inside Angkor Thom concentrated and avoids long detours.

Photography

Yes, particularly for relief detail shots and long perspective lines along the wall. The best images usually come from side angles where shadows bring out carving depth rather than from flat, front-on midday light.
Try a slightly oblique angle down the terrace so the repeating elephant forms create rhythm and scale. For close-ups, pick a section where the carvings are less worn and the surface catches side light.

Accessibility & Facilities

It can be challenging because of uneven stone, steps, and dusty or muddy ground depending on season. If mobility is a concern, focus on the most accessible viewing points near drop-off areas and avoid feeling you must walk the entire length.
Facilities in Angkor Thom are limited and not always close to individual monuments. It is best to plan restroom stops around larger hubs and carry water for the walk.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Most breaks happen between monuments rather than at the terrace itself, often near larger stop points where stalls or simple vendors are more common. A practical approach is to take water breaks in the shade after each major stop rather than waiting until you feel overheated.

Safety & Timing

Earlier is usually calmer and more comfortable for walking, with better conditions for seeing relief detail. Later afternoons can be beautiful if light is soft, but crowds and heat can make the terrace feel more rushed.
The most common is rushing past it as “just a wall” after Bayon. Slowing down for even ten minutes and choosing one section to study closely usually transforms the visit.

Nearby Attractions to the Terrace of the Elephants

  • Bayon Temple: Angkor Thom's central masterpiece, famous for its serene stone faces and layered bas-reliefs.
  • Terrace of the Leper King: A compact terrace packed with intricate carvings that feels more enclosed and detailed than the Elephant Terrace.
  • Phimeanakas: A small temple-pyramid inside the Royal Palace area that adds context to how Angkor Thom's court zone was organised.
  • Baphuon: A large temple-mountain with elevated views and a grand, axial approach that contrasts nicely with the terrace walk.
  • South Gate of Angkor Thom: The most iconic entry point, lined with giant figures and perfect for a dramatic arrival or exit photo.

The Terrace of the Elephants appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Siem Reap!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

Daily: 07:30-17:30.

Price:

Included with the Angkor Archaeological Park pass (1-day: US$37; 3-day: US$62; 7-day: US$72).

Address: Terrace of the Elephants, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Siem Reap: 9 km
Official Website

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