Ancient Remains & Temples
Wat Krouch Chhmar
Contemporary monastery & pagoda located by the edge of the Mekong river with several interesting stupa.
Wat Por Prek
Contemporary monastery & pagoda located by the edge of the Mekong river with several interesting stupa.
Wat Mohaninyaram
Contemporary monastery & pagoda with a unique stupa, apparently dating to around 30 years ago.
Wat Kampong Treas
An older monastery that features some interesting murals, statues, and pieces from decades ago, at the time of visit in June 2022 it looks like it’s being prepared for refurbishment.
Preah Theat Khvan Pir Temple
Locate around 40 km from Kratie (Krong Kracheh), Preah Theat Khvan Pir is the remains of two ancient square brick temples that date to the late 6th/7th century. The two temples are aligned north-south and open to the east with sandstone doorframes. Today, the southern tower is partially standing while only the well of the … Read more
Phnom Sambok
Phnom Sambok, also known as Chambak Meas, is a contemporary meditation center, monastery, and ancient site located between Kratie (Krong Kracheh) and Kampi of Kratie Province. The monastery and remnants of the ancient site are spread across two peaks of the small mountain that overlooks the plains alongside the Mekong river. At the top of … Read more
Wat Rattanak
Located around 10km west of Kampong Cham city the contemporary monastery features an old library that was built by the French, at a guess, around 70 years ago. The village area here is quite beautiful, especially if following the trail from the nearby Wat Koh Roka. Under the Boddhi tree there is what appears to … Read more
Wat Koh Rokar (Kampong Siem District)
Also listed as Wat Tip Simphli Vanaram, a contemporary monastery located just south of the remains of an ancient temple site of the same name. On the east side of the pagoda, which is quite grand, there are several stupa that appears to be old, the largest of all is especially interesting. Unfortunately, there was … Read more
Wat Koh Rokar Temple
An ancient temple site surrounded by a moat. A contemporary prayer hall has been built while a few sandstone remnants can be seen. Some remnants may be from an earlier vihara.
Wat Dei Doh
Also recorded as Dei Doh Pagoda, it sits by the bank of the Mekong River in Kampong Cham city. Featuring some freshly painted stupas (I’m not sure how old), what appears to be an ancient pair of lions, plus a giant Buddha statue.
Trapeang Sruk
Also recorded as Asram Trapeang Sruk, it is located in Sampong Chey about 500m northwest of Kuk Trapeang Kuk (Wat Trapeang Kong). The site features the sandstone remnants of an ancient 7-8th century temple (at a guess). Among the remnants, are a large linga, pedestals, a standing doorframe, the feet of a small statue, a … Read more
Wat Banak
The contemporary monastery also recorded as Banork Pagoda houses several ancient remnants including a reclining Buddha atop the balan. It’s noted that two pre-Angkorian Buddha statues were found here (also see Cisark #1349). Dalet also recorded an ancient Buddha statue seen here noting it as “early Khmer art” (6-7th century) Inscription References
Phnom Chub Kambao Temple
Located atop a small hill, the ancient temple site is quite fascinating for several reasons. Standing at the site today is one partially standing sandstone temple which never received any of its final decorative carving. Its also interesting that is is singular, and that there doesn’t appear to be the space for two more shrines … Read more
Wat
Contemporary monastery where a collection of interesting lions (old, not ancient) and a shelter containing a collection of remnants, some likely from an ancient site. I am not sure of the pagodas name, the only two people at the site were having a midday nap at the time of visiting 🙂
Wat Takam
Contemporary monastery that also appears to be the location of an ancient temple site. Held near the sermon hall are several remnants of an ancient sandstone temple including a pedestal, a corner finial from the upper register depicting a naga, and another pedestal with a small decayed statue. In a shelter fronting the east side … Read more
Wat Bon Ban Dei
A small monastery where the pedestal of an ancient site is also seen with contemporary sema stones surrounding the pagoda. The site is not marked as an ancient site and at the time I wasn’t able to establish the origins of the pedestal. A mystery to solve for the next passerby.
Svay Thom Temple (Preah Vihear)
Also recorded as Prasat Thnal Svay (of which there are many sharing the same or very similar name). It is a remote site located in the forest/farmlands of Preah Vihear about 8km south of Choam Khsant. The ancient site featured three shrines flanked by a library which was surrounded by an outer enclosure and looking … Read more
Boundary Marker (Damdaek)
A Buddhist boundary marker located beside a Chinese ancestral grave area and in between the ancient sites of Sasar Sdam and Preah Trapeang.
Kampong Thom Provinicial Museum
The small provincial museum of Kampong Thom holds a collection of beautiful relics from ancient sites in the region including lintels, statues, pedestals, boundary markers, and much more. Some of the pieces originate from the nearby Sambor Prei Kuk, others from the vast number of smaller sites spread across the province, most of which have … Read more
Sampow Trailok Traileak
Located about 7 km east of Stung Sen/Kampong Thom is a beautiful modern pagoda and nunnery (it seems). The multi-level pagoda, riding atop a massive grand hull, and flanked by two other “floating pagodas” all impose a grand sense of scale in a beautiful location beside the Sung Sen River. The site is accessible only … Read more
Trapeang Prasat Toch
Located 200 m north of Trapeang Prasat, Trapeang Prasat Toch features the remains of an outer laterite enclosure wall with an entrance pavilion on the east enclosing a laterite temple and “library”. The central tower appears to have been a square temple with a forebody extending its eastern opening, similar in design to “hospital chapels” … Read more
Wat Hem Van
Contemporary pagoda and monastery of Srey Noy with its outer walls adorned with 3D imagery of Khmer Buddhist tales.
Prasat Srot (Koh Ker)
Signposted as Prasat Srot, it is the two “palaces” that flank either side of what was once the causeway leading to Prasat Thom, the principal temple of the Koh Ker group, and in turn the iconic pyramid, Prasat Prang. The term “palace” (or palais in French) used to describe this archetype was coined by early … Read more