Wat Athvea is a 12th-century Angkor-era temple standing about 8 kilometres south of Siem Reap on the road towards Tonlé Sap, and it is one of the most accessible Angkor temples to visit with almost no crowds. The ancient stone structure is enclosed within an active Buddhist pagoda with a working vihara and a community of monks; the combination of crumbling Angkorian stonework and daily contemporary religious life makes it feel quite different from the heavily managed archaeological sites of the main park.
The original Khmer temple was built in the Hindu style and later converted to Buddhism. The stone towers and gallery walls retain some carved reliefs, and the setting — trees, monks, the smell of incense — is pleasant enough that the temple is worth combining with a Tonlé Sap boat trip as a half-day excursion to the south of Siem Reap. Entry is by donation; no Angkor pass required.