The Khmers were also master builders. They used giant sandstone blocks, as well as bricks and laterite (a type of clay), to build their temples. Most of their important temples, however, were made mostly from sandstone. On the walls of their temples they carved beautiful reliefs into the stone which depicted scenes from their everyday life, as well as religious figures, and even scenes of war. Another famous aspect of Khmer temple architecture were the distinctive chedis, also called prangs. These were corn-cob shaped and built on top of square buildings.

While their temples were quite magnificent, regular houses and buildings were made from wood. Their cities were usually surrounded by walls made from laterite with gated entrances, as well as moats. Sometimes, they even build large moats around individual temples, a feature which had religious significance. Such is the case with the great Angkor Wat.