Ta Kav Gate

In the west wall of Angkor Thom, on the road that runs west from the Bayon. Quieter than the South Gate. It is inside the Angkor park, so you need an Angkor pass. Use the coordinates on this page.

The West Gate of Angkor Thom, called Ta Kav: one of the five gates in the walls of the city built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. Like the others it carries a tower of great carved faces, and at its sides Indra rides the three-headed elephant Airavata, whose trunks reach down to gather lotus flowers. A causeway lined with devas and asuras hauling a naga crosses the moat.

Tree roots had pushed the faces and the corner elephants out of place. The APSARA National Authority restored the gate with private donations, finishing in February 2023.

A foundation deposit stone was found here during the restoration. Others like it are in the Foundation Stones collection.

Just outside the gate, in the forest, stands Prasat Tro Moung, a hospital chapel of the same king.