Visit Ta Nei - The Hidden Jungle Temple in Cambodia

Having just been to the impressive tree root temple of Ta Prohm, I wandered out of the complex with a big grin on my face. Finally, after waiting for many years, I had seen the original “Tomb Raider” temple!

Our dutiful tuk-tuk driver was waiting for us in the shade of the enormous trees. He saw how excited we were and asked if we wanted to go to a hidden temple deep in the jungle.

It was called Ta Nei and was a smaller version of Ta Prohm. Our eyes lit up, and we jumped aboard our tuk-tuk to be whisked away to a temple we didn’t even know existed.

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Step Inside Ta Nei Temple in Angkor

Ta Nei Temple Secrets Unlocked

Ta Nei is a beautiful jungle temple that King Jayavarman VII built In the 12th century. It was dedicated to Buddha.

The King was responsible for designing and constructing most of the temple complexes in Angkor.

In the 13th century, three small entrance buildings (gopuras) were added to the temple by King Indravarman II.

In the 16th century, Ta Nei and the other temples in the area were deserted – the reason why is still a puzzle to historians.

Two hundred years later, French explorers rediscovered the temple. They cleared the surrounding jungle and created proper access to this hidden gem.

Wander Around Ta Nei Temple

Time spent in Ta Nei – 15 minutes

Of course, it isn’t a completely ‘unknown’ temple and isn’t too far from Ta Prohm, but the only access is via a dirt track. Only bikes and tuk-tuks can reach this hidden gem in the Angkor jungle, so we struck gold with our driver!

As we whizzed along the track deeper and deeper into the jungle, we did consider that maybe we were being kidnapped. Why had we so eagerly agreed to be taken into the wilderness?

We then dismissed these ridiculous ideas because, in reality, what would our driver do with a six-foot-tall 18-year-old and his mum?

Of course, we arrived intact at Ta Nei, which was indeed a temple hidden in the thick jungle foliage.

We couldn’t have asked for a more authentic experience in Cambodia. And because we were using the temple travel tip of visiting in the late afternoon, we were here alone.

Ta Nei is raw and untouched, with giant boulders and tree roots to navigate, which adds to its intrigue.

The state of decay throughout the temple, with the trees growing through it, is incredible. You can imagine how some of the other more prominent and famous Siem Reap temples must have looked when they were first discovered.

Is Ta Nei Worth Visiting?

Ta Nei is a smaller version of Ta Prohm and is well worth visiting. It is very atmospheric and shrouded in lush vegetation. This shades the site from sunshine but also holds in the heat, so bring plenty of water.

I felt that Ta Nei was the perfect place for a spot of peaceful contemplation. As twilight descended, we could hear the distant calls of gibbons in the jungle treetops.

It was a magical end to our second day in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Just us, our tuk-tuk driver, the gibbons and a hidden temple in the Cambodian jungle.

However, if you prefer an organised 2-day tour of Angkor Archaeological Park that includes Ta Nei, you can book online before you arrive.

Where To Next?

From Ta Nei Temple, we returned to our hotel in Siem Reap with a quick stop at the Terrace of the Elephants, named after the carvings of elephants on its facade.

This fascinating spot was where Jayavarman VII would watch public ceremonies, including when his army returned from battles.