Phimeanakas is situated within the same area as the royal palace and was likely used as a royal chapel. It was built during the reign of King Suryavarman I. One of the most interesting features of Phimeanakas is its accompanying legend, which relates to the importance of the naga, or divine serpent, in Cambodian history. According to Zhou Daguan, the Chinese diplomat who provided accounts of his visit to Cambodia in the thirteenth century, the soul of the nine-headed naga, the lord of the earth, took the form of a beautiful woman and waited each night on the summit of the temple for the king. The king had to couple with her each night in order to ensure the prosperity of his kingdom. If the naga princess failed to appear, the death of the king was imminent. It is possible that Phimeanakas is the mountain of the golden horn referred to by Zhou Daguan is his account of the legend. This suggests that many of the temples were once decorated and painted, and that some of the central sanctuaries may have been constructed of perishable materials, like wood, that were gilded or adorned with precious metals.