Kulen

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.

Thnal Bangkoy

Recorded as being ancient earthwork, with an east-west orientation. Location approximated.

Peung Preah

Rock shelter with ancient carvings. 3 km southeast of Peung Preah Put Kraom

Trapeang Soeng Temple

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

Peung

Cave with carvings

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

Peung Put

Large rock with cave and carvings, another 90m to the south slightly north. Location approximate

Russei Chhlop Temple

Remains of brick temple that likely pre-dated the 12th century at least, by noting the use of brick alone. It sits 500m north of the ancient East Road, which joined Angkor to Beng Mealea and Preah Khan of Kampong Svay, which is typically a development dated to around the 12th century in terms of its masonry … 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

Spean Khmeng (Svay Leu)

Very small laterite bridge located northeast of Wat Svay Leu. It features corbelled arches. By eye, it is around 4-5 m wide and 6 m or so long with three visible arches. Across the top, it has deep ruts that one assumes are from usage in recent times. It also has sandstone plinths that are … 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

Khnap Temple

Located immediately west of Wat Tbaeng there are the remains of a brick temple. Remnants seen include sandstone door jambs and a fragment of a lotus petal band. The site was recorded in an inventory carried out by Boulbert & Dagens in the early 1970s.