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Wat Preah Ang Choub

Located partway up the south side of Kulen Mountain, Wat Preah Ang Choub features a highly revered ancient rock carving recorded as Peung Preah Chop. It is a functioning monastery and an important one, too; every year, thousands of monks gather here, coming from Thailand and as far as China. As mentioned, the site is … Read more

Banteay (Phnom Kulen)

The Banteay site is an expansive area that is believed to be the royal palace of Jayavarman II (802–850 AD) in what is now known as once being the ancient capital, Mahendraparvata atop Phnom Kulen. While there are no visible remnants of the royal palace to be seen today bar some scattered brick debris, excavations … Read more

Peung Tbal (Phnom Kulen)

Located atop Phnom Kulen and southwest of the village of Anlong Thom, it’s also recorded as Poeng Tbal. A fascinating scenic site with natural rock massifs featuring ancient carvings all sitting at the edge of a natural gulley that is believed to have been developed into a reservoir during ancient times. The groups of rock … Read more

Sema Don Meas

Location of ancient sema stone demarcated site (similar to Sema Peam Kre)

Ta Trachiek Veng

Located north of Svay Leu and Peung Komnou, Ta Trachiek Veng, or Prasat Nakta Tracheak Thom, is a laterite terrace supporting a large stele with a representation of Ganesha in what may be Vigna Ganapati form.

Preah Bat Phnom Bei

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 … Read more

Wat Tbaeng (Banteay Srei District)

A contemporary monastery and pagoda. The site was recorded in an inventory carried out by Boulbert & Dagens in the early 1970s as having the remains of a brick temple. Noting that 350m to the east are the remains of Khnap Temple.

Trapeang Soeng Temple

A group of three almost completely ruined brick and laterite temples, basin in the east.

Srah Damrei (Elephant Pond) of Phnom Kulen

Located atop Phnom Kulen, about 5.5 km southwest of the village of Anlong Thom, Srah Damrei is a group of large animal monoliths carved from the naturally formed sandstone. They include an elephant, two lions, and an unknown figure (some call it a frog), which are all fronted by a bull (Nandin) carved in the … Read more

Svay Leu Temple

Prasat Svay Leu is an interesting site for many reasons. It is located on the contemporary monastery grounds and features an outer walled enclosure with an entrance on the east opening to a small courtyard with “library” buildings followed by another entrance gopura and walled enclosure occupied by the central shrine that has been replaced/covered … Read more

Peung Preah Thvear (Phnom Kulen)

Also recorded as Poeng Ta Roet, it’s a long alcove in the mountainside below Wat Chas featuring an inscription and carvings dating to the 10th/11th century. The figures include a group of figures commonly known as the Nine Deities seated atop their mounts (Vahana) beside which are two standing deities. One of the standing deities … Read more

Prasat Tadong (Ta Ong Temple)

Built partway up the side of the scenic Kulen mountain, Ta Ong (or Prasat Tadong) was originally a group of three ancient brick temples, today one tower remains mostly standing. The tower features ornate lintels carved into the brickwork, reminiscent of 7th-century style, and a series of false floors almost appearing as temples stacked atop … Read more

Peung Komnou

Located north of Wat Svay Leu and at the foothills of Phnom Kulen, Peung Komnou features stunning rock carvings. There are actually several separate carvings to see here on a group of rock monoliths. The trail leading to the site is suitable for moto/bike/hike although a vehicle could certainly make it part ways there. The … Read more

Peung Preah Put Kraom

Located on the north side of Phnom Kulen and south of the village of Kronhoung, there are numerous rock monoliths, many of which taper in at the bottom creating a natural shelter, it’s a fascinating place. This particular monolith appears to have been a hermit/ascetics lair, featuring several carvings and remnants of walls formed of … Read more

Peung Chhat

Located on the north side of Phnom Kulen and south of the village of Kronhoung, at the foot of the mountain slope, it’s a spectacular rock monolith that tapers in at the bottom creating a rock shelter. This natural shelter has in ancient times been put to good use, featuring quite a well-executed rock carving … Read more

Dambok Khpuos Temple

Located north of Phnom Kulen in Svay Leu district, it is the remains of what were three brick towers. Presently the site is overgrown and only remnants remain. An inscription was recorded here under K. 196. The earliest report on the site comes from a brief note by E. Aymonier in the late 1800s, then … Read more

Bangkuoy Khang Kaeut Temple

Also recorded as Prasat East Angkouy, it’s the remains of a group of three temples constructed from laterite and brick with sandstone elements. Features “library” and an outer wall with gopura. It is located a short distance east of Bangkuoy Khang Lech Temple. On visiting in mid-January, and noting the overgrowth, I’ll return to the … Read more

Kon Ko Temple (Svay Leu)

Remains of a group of three brick temples with a long “library” immediately fronting the south tower which is preceded by the remains of an entrance gopura, a moat, and then another large laterite gopura which may have joined to a wall but little remains of such are seen. While the site is quite ruinous, … Read more

Kranhoung Temple

Located on the northern side of Phnom Kulen in Svay Leu district, and also known as Prasat Kro Nhung, it is the remains of a brick temple with two laterite annex buildings, with an outer enclosure wall with gopura on the east side, a moat, and a large basin in the northeast. On visiting the … Read more

Trung Khla Khmum Temple

Also known as Khla Khmom Temple. Originally a group of three small brick temples with a “library” building and an outer brick wall with an entrance on the east. Remains of all the structures can still be seen but it is the central shrine that has held up the best. The central shrine features false … Read more