The Terrace of the Leper King is located on the way from the Bayon temple to the Dei Chhnang Gate on the left and north of Terrace of the Elephants. It is was built in late 12th century by King Javavarman VII. The curious name of this terrace refer to a statues of the Leper King that is on the platform of the terrace. The naked figure is depicted in a seated position with his right knee raised. Today statue is a copy.

The original is in the National Museum in Phnom Penh. Who was the Leper King? Mystery and uncertainty surround the origin of the name. the long-held theory that king Jayavarman VII was a leper and that is why he built so many hospitals throughout the empire has no historical support whatsoever. Some historians think the figure represents Kubera. God of wealth, or Yasovarman I, both of whom were allegedly lepers.

Another idea is based on an inscription that appears on the statue in characters of the 14th or 15th centuries which maybe translated as the equivalent of the assessor of Yama, god of death of judgment. Yet another theory suggests that the Leper king statue got it name because of the lichen which ground on it.

The position of the hand, now messing, also suggests it was holding something. The Terrace of Leper King is supported by a base 25 meters on each side and 6 meters high. The sides of the laterite base are faced in sandstone and decorated with bas-reliefs divided into seven horizontal registers.

The exterior wall contain mythical being–nagas, garudas, and giants with multiple arms, carries of sword and clubs, and seated women with naked torsos and triangular coiffures with small flaming discs–adorn the walls of the terrace. The interior wall is remarkable condition. The deeply carved senses are similar to those on the exterior and include a low frieze of fish elephants the vertical representation of a river.

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