West Mebon temple is located in themiddle of West Baray on an island about 11kilometers northwest of Siem Reap. The temple was built in the second half of the 11th century by King SuryavarmanI, dedicating to Vishu Brahmanisim. It was originally surrounded by a square rampart with three squares, sandstone gopuras and a sanctuary on one level crowned with a lotus. Most towers have collapsed, but the three on the east side are reasonably intact. A sandstone platform at the center is linked to a causeway of laterite and sandstone that leads to the east dyke. The sides of the towers are carved with lively animals set in small squares, a type of decoration found also at the Baphoun.
