It takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour to visit it. Pre Rup was built in the middle of the 10^th century by king Rajendravarman II (944 – 968). He moved his capital from Koh Ker, 70 km from Angkor, to Angkor. Pre Rup was his state temple of his city that means he built this temple in the center of the capital. It was dedicated in 961 and it was a mountain temple.

Modern name is Pre Rup, it means ‘turning body’. The name was called after the cremation ceremony of the king who was killed by a gardener of a sweet cucumber, this according to the legend. In fact the temple original name was called ‘Rajendrabhadresvara’. Rajendra was a name of king Rajendravarman and Bhadresvara is Siva. It was the mixing name between Siva Linga and king’s name.

Pre Rup was a state temple; it has no boundary and dwelling remains in this area. The city would have occupied 1 kilometer square around the temple.

The outer enclosure is a laterite wall 127 m by 117m.

The inner enclosure is 87m by 77m.