Phnom Santuk

Phnom Santuk is a large area featuring a monastery with old and new pagodas and a large array of Buddhist carvings depicting the Buddha in the many ritual positions. It has a heritage in the 15th century and perhaps earlier, as a sacred mountain which it remains to this day.

The bas-reliefs are numerous and you can spend an hour wandering around along with taking in the views from the top of the mountain from many different points. There are also loads of monkeys who will happily rummage through any bags you leave by your bike. So, buy some snacks and a drink and the stall owners may watch over your gear.

Entrance is free, although you’ll probably like to buy some flowers and joss sticks from the kids, drop something in the donation boxes by the shrines, and there are places to snack and drink. You can reach the site via a sealed road that leads from National Road 6 about here which takes you to the stairs that lead up to the top, alternatively, you can keep going around the side of the mountain to the north and there is a path (last picture in the gallery above) that leads up the mountain suitable for car or motorbike (Honda Wave 100cc made it up OK).

Historical Notes

In 1492, the king went to Phnom-santuc (a sort of sacred mountain in the province of Compong-soai) to preside over funeral ceremonies; then he returned to his palace in Chidor-muc (Phnom-penh). After seventeen years of reign, he died in the thirty-eighth year of his age, around the year 1494. The usual cremation celebrations were held for this king.

Le royaume du Cambodge Volume 2, Jean Moura, 1883

Rodney Charles LHuillier

Living in Asia for over a decade and now residing in beautiful Siem Reap. Rodney Charles L'Huillier has spent over seven years in Cambodia and is the author of Ancient Cambodia (2024) and Essential Siem Reap (2017, 2019). Contact via [email protected] - more..