A list of ancient sites and temples, with map, located on and around the Phnom Kulen Mountain range. Local guides are a must for sites in this area.
See here for sites on the actual Phnom Kulen mountain. For visiting sites on Phnom Kulen you will need to purchase a ticket (available at City Hotel or mountain entrance) and enlist the services of a local guide via Analong Thom CBTC.
Located atop the beautiful Kulen Mountain and the first temple in what is a closely grouped set of three temples sites on the eastern side of the mountain. It is almost completely in ruin and what remains is the base of one square brick tower, several sandstone plinths, and a large sandstone pedestal. Nearby to … Read more
A group of at least three ruinous brick temples that are partially standing. It appears to have featured an entry gopura on the east, an outer wall, and perhaps other structures which are hard to determine from the rubble that remains. Nearby is a kneeling elephant statue.
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
Located to the northeast of Svay Leu district, Siem Reap, also recorded as Prasat Bangkouy West, it’s a standing sandstone temple with a “library”, and an outer wall with gopura on the east and west sides. It is a fascinating site, only partly cleared (01/23) that features some unique art features as well as sitting … Read more
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
Banteay Ampil Temple is one of the lesser-known temples of Siem Reap located some 30km out of town, almost 40km from Angkor Wat, and around 20km by road from Chau Srei Vibol Temple. Much like the nearby Chau Srei Vibol, it is rarely visited. It is a walled temple with three gopuras (gates) and a … Read more
Also known as Choub Temple or Prasat Job. Located just above a river, sadly there is not much remaining to be seen apart from some part-buried blocks and bricks. Just south is a shallow but wide cave where a kind of pedestal can be seen, see images below. ប្រាសាទជប់ – ប្រាសាទជប់កសាងអំពីឥដ្ឋប – នះមានលក្ខណៈពិសេសដោយបានកស រភេទនេះជាប្រភេទសំណង់ដ៏កម្រ ដោយ … Read more
Small ruinous brick temple that, unusually, opens to the west. A section of lintel can still be seen at the site. A short way away and you will find the more impressive Thma Dap Temple.
Kneeling elephant sculpture. *Not to be mistaken with the prasat of the same name that lies some way further to the east, here. The trail here is reasonable and passes through a small village community. A little further along the trail you will find Ballang, a ruinous group of brick temples.
Also known as Damrei Krab Temple (ប្រាសាទដំរីក្រាប). A group of three brick temples, with the central tower in good condition (restored) and the side towers only partially standing. The artwork and carvings on the central tower are truly wonderful making it well worth the effort to visit. The site was also surrounded by a low-height … Read more
The ancient site of Kbal Spean is a section of the river whose waters flow over the natural stone bedrock which has been abundantly sculpted, in particular with linga, but also with gods of the Hindu pantheon including Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, Uma and other deities. The riverbed even features small basins whose walls were also … Read more
A group of three ruinous temples open to the east with false doors on the other sides. The center tower is brick while the north tower is of laterite construction and the southern tower no longer exists. Both the existing towers open to the east and the brick tower has false doors on its other … Read more
Partial remains of a 9th-century brick temple. Amongst the great mass of brick rubble, a remaining part of the original structure can still be seen and a large gaping hole that would have been the central shrine and deposit well. An ancient pedestal can be seen only partly excavated along with a beautiful ornate round … Read more
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
Recently restored, Kraham Temple, or the Red Temple (due to the color of bricks used), was originally a group of three temples built in the 9th century and aligned north-south while opening to the east. Today only the southern temple remains to be seen, with the middle temple no longer seen and the northern temple … Read more
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
Located atop Kulen Mountain adjacent to the popular waterfall, as far as I know, Prasat Kraol Romeas is Cambodia’s only temple that has a river running through it. While the majority of the temple site is located on the eastern side of the river, there are remains of the outer enclosure wall found on the … Read more
A temple site where all we see today is a mound of bricks surrounding the deposit well with what may be the outline of a larger laterite base. A broken linga pedestal sits atop the site.
Also known as Tob Temple and signposted as Rup Arak which is a name also given to the temple site further to the west on this same route. It is a single brick temple attributed to the 9th century.
An ancient temple site where all that remains are mounds of bricks, what may be the central well of the temple, and long sandstone plinths. There are two other sites just north in a very similar state.
Located just north of Phnom Bok, Prasat Leak Neang features a tall square brick temple that was the central tower of what was intended to be a group of three. Fascinatingly, only two sandstone false doors remain standing representing what was the northern tower and the southern tower has no remains. They shared a laterite … Read more
Tall square brick temple mostly standing at least on three sides. Even in its ruinous state it is facinating, allowing a cutaway section view of a brick temple structure.
Also known as Prasat Neang Kong Rey. Mostly fallen remains of a central brick temple with four annex buildings, an outer enclosure wall with an entrance gopura, and basins in the northeast (according to records). The site retains a large number of remnants including decorated door columns, pedestals, and base molding pieces. The site is … Read more
Also recorded as Aur Pha On, O Phaong, Neak Ta, and Andong Temple. Prasat O Pha-ong is a tall square brick temple on a raised brick terrace. It opens to the east and features three false floors, decreasing in size with each step up, also featuring “mini-prasats” at each corner. Rather than carved elements, it … Read more
A sandstone quarry located just north of Beng Mealea that forms part of a river bed. It is quite fascinating to see where the temple originated from and the clear lines of where large blocks of sandstone would have been chiseled from. It’s also a nice spot to relax.
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
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
Also known as Peung Ey Sey, or Pueng Aysey along with other variants. Naming aside, it’s a small but incredibly scenic spot featuring a small cell carved into a large rock with an opening that is framed and flanked by two deity carvings. Directly opposite is a rock shelter cave beautifully taken over by tree … Read more
