West Mebon, the 11th-century temple on an island in Angkor’s West Baray, has been fully restored, the APSARA National Authority announced in mid-October. Its official opening to visitors is planned for November 2026, adding a striking water-set temple to the Angkor map.
What happened
The restoration was a joint project between APSARA and the French government, with work beginning in 2012. The temple had largely collapsed over the centuries, and many of its stones and statues had been lost. Teams used anastylosis, returning original stones to their original places rather than building a copy, and carvers recreated missing decoration in its original forms.
The project also trained a new generation of craftspeople. With support from the ALIPH foundation, Artisans d’Angkor helped train stone carvers, because few specialists remained.
Why West Mebon matters
Built in the mid-11th century during the reign of King Udayadityavarman II, West Mebon stands in the middle of the West Baray, the largest reservoir in the Angkor area at about 8 km long and 2 km wide. It is also where fragments of a huge reclining bronze Vishnu were found in 1936, the largest Khmer bronze ever discovered.
What visitors should know
APSARA says it is preparing the site for its official opening, and some visitors have already been taking boat trips out to the temple to see it. The exact opening date, hours and access arrangements have not been published yet, so check the latest details with APSARA or your hotel before you go.
Read our West Mebon guide for the temple’s history, the story of the restoration and how to plan a visit. If you are traveling soon, see Cambodia in November and our first-time guide to Angkor.
Sources: APSARA National Authority, as reported by The Star, 17 October 2026; Cambodge Mag; ALIPH foundation.