A Pre-Angkorian Temple Located About 30 km North of Kampong Thom

Tao Temple is a group of temples located in the central area of Sambor Prei Kuk, surrounded by two laterite enclosure walls. The temple was built using brick and laterite stone. It stands 20 meters tall and has a square base. The temple has a staircase with seven steps, and the stair landings are shaped like lotus petals.

This temple was built during the reign of King Isanavarman I in the 7th century (AD 616–635), during the Chenla period.

The Tao Temple group originally consisted of 43 temples. However, today only one temple remains in complete form, which is the Tao Temple itself. The rest are mostly remnants, such as mounds and scattered stone structures.

The severe deterioration of the temples in the Tao group, as well as others in the Sambor Prei Kuk area, is mainly due to three factors: natural causes, human destruction, and the impact of war in 1970.

There is no surviving inscription that clearly identifies or provides details about this temple. The name “Tao Temple” was given by local villagers because they saw two lions (tao) in front of the temple and thus collectively named it “Tao Temple.”

On July 8, 2017, the Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex was officially inscribed on the World Heritage List during the World Heritage Committee meeting held in Kraków, Poland.

“The protection of national cultural heritage is the duty of every Khmer citizen.”