Phimean Akas

Constructed at the end of the 10th century – early 11th century (941-968) by king Rajendravarman II. Religion: Hindu. Art style: Kleang.

This temple is associated with a legend that tells of a gold tower (Phimeanakas) inside the royal palace of Angkor the Great, where a serpent-spirit with nine heads lived. The spirit appeared to the Khmer king disguised as a woman and the king had to sleep with her every night in the tower before he
joined his wives and concubines in another part of the palace. If the king even missed one night it was believed he would die.
Impressive laterite and sandstone pyramid. The lack of surviving carving leaves it artistically uninteresting, but it is the tallest scalable temple in Angkor Thom, providing a nice view from the top. To the north of Phimeanakas, there are two ponds that were part of the Royal Palace compound.