Phnom Preah Theat Temple (Kampong Chhnang Province)

Joining the ranks of the country’s most unusual ancient temples, Prasat Phnom Preah Theat features a gigantic rock monolith that provides a shelter for an ancient laterite temple. There’s a charming staircase that leads to the top past an array of giant rock boulders taking around ten minutes.

The laterite temple features a long stepped laterite base supporting the walls which join to the rock monolith and at the southern end an entrance with stairs that are reported to have connected to a laterite terrace extending further. Also, note the stepped laterite buttress wall on the southeast side of the slope providing a base for the site.

Around the numerous small shrines are seen along with amazing viewpoints across the plains below on the southern side

Getting to the site is easy, there is a good sealed road that leads all the way. From Longvek/Oudong, I took road 135, turning off at Sramor, and follow that through Khum Peam and take the road leading directly south into the site. Travel time is about 45 mins. You can also get there via the adjacent monastery if you want to see that too. You could also take road 136 but I have no idea about its condition.

Rodney Charles LHuillier

Living in Asia for over a decade and now residing in beautiful Siem Reap - Contact via [email protected] - more..