Victory Gate

In the east wall of Angkor Thom, on the road that runs east from the Terrace of the Elephants. It is inside the Angkor park, so you need an Angkor pass. Use the coordinates on this page.

One of the five gates of Angkor Thom, the walled city built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. It stands in the east wall, in line with the Royal Palace and the Terrace of the Elephants, and its tower carries great carved faces like those of the Bayon. Kings are said to have passed through it to their coronations and on their way to war.

The causeway over the moat is lined with 108 figures hauling on the body of a naga: 54 devas on one side and 54 asuras on the other, the churning of the Ocean of Milk, the Samudra Manthan. Many lost their heads to war and theft. Most have since been recovered; three are still in museums abroad.

On 31 May 2025, during excavation beside the causeway, two original asura heads were uncovered in the earth.

On 1 October 2026 the APSARA National Authority held a ceremony at the gate to set two recovered heads back on their statues and open their eyes.