Neak Pean
About Neak Pean
A small circular shrine on an island at the center of a great baray, reached by a long wooden boardwalk across the water. Built by Jayavarman VII and generally read as a sacred healing site — its pools once fed curative waters through four ornamental spouts.
Why we love it
The boardwalk approach is the experience: dead trees rising from the water, birdlife everywhere, and the shrine floating ahead. Go in the wet months when the baray brims — it is genuinely otherworldly.
Good to Know
Do I need an Angkor Pass to visit Neak Pean?
Yes — every temple in the Angkor Archaeological Park checks the Angkor Pass ($37 one day, $62 three days, $72 seven days), including the outer sites. Buy it at the official ticket center or online before you head out; it is not sold at the temples themselves.
Is there a dress code at Neak Pean?
Shoulders and knees must be covered at all Angkor temples, and the rule is enforced strictly at upper terraces such as the Bakan level of Angkor Wat and the Phnom Bakheng summit. Wear light covering layers; a scarf draped over shoulders is not accepted.
How do I get to Neak Pean?
Hire a tuk-tuk for the day (~$20–35), join a guided tour with pickup, or cycle — the park roads are flat and shaded. Allow 15–25 minutes from central Siem Reap to the park entrances.
What are the opening hours of Neak Pean?
Daily 7:30am–5:30pm. Hours are set by the park authority and can change for ceremonies; sunrise-viewing temples open earliest.