SIEM REAP – International travel guide Fodors has ranked Cambodia’s Koh Ker temple as the top place to visit in Asia in 2025. 

“Keen to avoid the selfie stick-wielding tourists flocking to Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples?” Fodors said. 

“Consider Koh Ker, a sprawling archaeological site that provides a fascinating insight into lesser-known aspects of the Khmer empire.” 


About 350km from Phnom Penh and about 120km from Angkor Archeological Park, Koh Ker was founded by King Jayavarman VI. The king, who reigned from 928 to 941, decided to build this city as his capital.

Named Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, the city would be the capital only until 944, when the court returned to Angkor.
Prasat Pram, which means five temples, is a group of five single-tower Hindu temples in the Koh Ker Archaeological Site, which was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2023.

Koh Ker was founded by King Jayavarman VI. Photo by Chhorn Sophat

Prasat Pram has been overshadowed by the nearby larger temple of Prasat Prang, with its impressive pyramid shape, which tends to attract more visitors. Prasat Pram is still worth visiting, Fodors said. Its arrangement comprises a line of three main structures and another line of two secondary structures.

Two other places on the list include India’s Meghalaya and Japan’s Nikko. 

Nestled in northeastern India, Meghalaya — meaning "abode of the clouds" — is a mountainous state that shows nature's beauty. This region boasts stunning waterfalls, with the most spectacular cascades in Cherrapunji and Mawsynram. According to Fodors, these are two of the wettest places on the planet.

Nikko, north of Tokyo, has long been a favorite retreat for capital dwellers and a destination celebrated for its natural beauty. 
Koh Ker was founded by King Jayavarman VI. Photo by Soy Ratanakvisal