Also known as Wat Phnom Bei, it’s located at the foothill of Phnom Kulen and to the northwest of Beng Mealea temple and features a contemporary pagoda located atop a natural rise with spectacular views across the massif of Kulen and the surrounding plains and hills.
On an adjacent rise, an arrangement of rocks forming a stupa can be seen. Some of the stones feature carvings but I am unsure as to how old they may be, a boulder also appears to have relief but without any definition. This arrangement of rocks apparently has a nearby counterpart that is still standing and complete, also, there is apparently a natural rock depression that is heralded as a Buddha footprint (see Les sites archéologiques de la région du Bhnam Gulen p 38, site 69). So, there is for sure a bit more to know about the site which I’ll hopefully find out.
Along the way and nearby to the monastery, there’s the Cave of Five Buddhas, a rockface from which buddhas have been carved with a shelter also offering beautiful views of the natural landscape.
Notes: As of 01/23, the road leading to the site is undergoing an upgrade and widening. It’s now quite easy to access the site.
Map
Site Info
- Reference ID: HA12994 | Last Update: January 7th, 2026
- Site Name: Preah Bat Phnom Bei | Khmer: ព្រះបាទភ្នំបី
- Other Names: វត្តភ្នំបី, Wat Phnom Bey, Preah Bat Phnom Bei, ព្រះបាទភ្នំបី, braḥ pād bhnaṃ pī, preah bat phnom bei
- Location: Siem Reap Province > Svay Leu District > Boeng Mealea Commune > Boeng Mealea Village
- Inventaire Khmer IK: 558.18
- MoCFA/EFEO Inventory - CISARK: 1969
- Jean Boulbet Inventaire - JB: 127
- Boulbet-Dagens Inventaire - BD: 69
- Tags/Group: BD, JB, Kulen, Temples, Wat
Historical Inventories of Preah Bat Phnom Bei
- 1973, Boulbert, Dagens, Les sites archéologiques de la région du Bhnaṃ Gūlen (Phnom Kulen), p. 33 21 (BD #: 69 Site Name: braḥ pād bhnaṃ pī / preah bat phnom bei / ព្រះបាទភ្នំបី)
- 1979, Boulbet, Le Phnom Kulen et sa région carte et commentaire Jean Boulbet (JB#: 127 Site Name: Preah Bat Phnom Bei)
