Apsara carvings – Ta Prohm temple ruin. Siem Reap, Cambodia

Ta Prohm, aka The Tomb Raider Temple, is a fantastic group of ruins hidden in the jungle not far from Siem Reap. Root systems creep across crumbling walls, collapsing some structures, and keeping others standing.

Ta Prohm temple ruin in the forest. Siem Reap, Cambodia

The sandstone carvings have not been cleaned (restored) to the same extent as Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom which makes the place seem more of a discovery. However, if you’re hoping to feel like Laura Croft or Indiana Jones then you need to get here at dawn before the bus loads of tourists arrive.

Shrine – Ta Prohm temple . Siem Reap, Cambodia

You can’t actually walk through the doorway below as it’s fenced off. In the first Tomb Raider film, as soon as Angelina Jolie passes the threshold the ground collapses and she finds herself in an underground tomb. In reality, this was just a set at London’s Pinewood studios, but the doorway is impressive nonetheless.

Ta Prohm temple ruin in the forest. Siem Reap, Cambodia

Entombed – Ta Prohm temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Ta Prohm temple ruin in the forest. Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian woman at Ta Prohm temple ruin in the forest. Siem Reap, Cambodia