A list of ancient sites and temples located on Phnom Kulen Mountain. It is the birthplace of the Angkorian Empire, and the location of the ancient city, Mahendraparvata, where Jayavarman II was postulated to have been consecrated as king of the Khmer Empire in 802 AD.
Entry to Phnom Kulen requires a ticket (purchase at entry or at City Hotel – $20) and for temple sites around Anlong Thom you will require a local area guide via Analong Thom CBTC.
See Kulen for sites and attractions located in the much wider area including around the mountain range.
Also, see our posts: Phnom Kulen – The Highlights & Visiting Guide and Phnom Kulen Camping Tour.
Located atop the beautiful Kulen Mountain and is the first temple in what is a closely grouped set of sites on the eastern side of the mountain just south of the village of Anlong Thom. Interestingly, each of the sites in this grouping is open to the west. It is almost completely in ruin and … 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.
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
Prasat Bos Neak is located atop Phnom Kulen, south of Anlong Thom village, south of Prasat Neak Ta on the trail fork that comes off the main trail heading to Damrei Krap and Srah Damrei. It is part of a group of temples, Anlong Thom, Prasat Neak Ta, Prasat Crei, all orientated on a similar … 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
Prasat Chrei (not to be confused with Chup Chrei which is further to the south) is located atop Phnom Kulen, south of Anlong Thom village, south of Prasat Neak Ta and north of Bos Neak Temple. It is part of a group of temples, Anlong Thom, Prasat Neak Ta, Bos Neak, all orientated on a … Read more
Prasat Chup Chrei is a 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.
Also known as Damrei Krab Temple (ប្រាសាទដំរីក្រាប) and Prasat Prasat Krabei Krab (Khmer: ប្រាសាទក្របីក្រាប). A group of three brick temples, aligned on a north-south axis and opening to the east. The central tower is in good condition (restored in recent times) and the side towers only partially standing. The site is further surrounded by remnants … 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
The kneeling elephant sculpture is also recorded as Damrei Krap. Not to be mistaken with the temple of the same name that lies some way further to the east, here nor the monolithic elephant of Srah Damrei. The trail here is reasonable and passes through a small village community. A little further along the trail, … 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
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 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 south of Anlong Thom village atop Phnom Kulen south of Prasat Anlong Thom and north of Prasat Chrei and Bos Neak. All are along the same trail, on a north-south axis and all, unusually, open to the west. The tall square brick temple is mostly standing at least on three sides. Even in its … 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
Located atop Phnom Kulen and a few minutes west of Anlong Thom village, O’Chup Thnal Campsite is run by the local community and the Anglong Thom CBTC. The site is located by a freshwater stream with sandy banks offering a great place to swim and relax. They have also set up some basic tables, tarpaulins, … Read more
Located west of Anlong Thom village and north of the main road, Peam Kre features two partially standing brick temples. They are aligned on a north-south axis and open to the east. One of the shrines rose up on a seemingly pyramidal base of decent proportions while the other sat a little lower making for … Read more
Located atop Phnom Kulen, it’s also known as Poeng Maha Eisei, or Pueng Aysey/Ey Sey along with other variants. Naming aside, it’s a small but incredibly scenic and atmospheric spot featuring rock carvings, ponds, and a small cell carved into a large rock with an opening that is framed and flanked by two deity carvings. … Read more
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
The waterfall features two levels and is a popular spot atop the mountain. The first level is located after the River of 1000 Lingas and is around 4-5 meters tall. The second and most spectacular level is around 20 meters tall. You reach the second level by following the road along the northern side of … Read more
Also known as “Amazing Cliff”, located atop Kulen Mountain it’s an easy-to-reach site offering impressive views across the canyon below in between the mountain ranges. It is reached off the main road across the top of the mountain where there is a small parking bay and foot trail leading to the site. Around 150 m … Read more
Unknown. Site has recently been cleared but remains unnamed. It sits atop a large raised mound where scattered laterite, brick and sandstone rubble, and several decayed pedestals can be seen including a pedestal with an octagonal center.
The site is located southwest of Anlong Thom village, atop Phnom Kulen, along the trail that leads to Rong Chen Temple. Only the base of a brick temple remains to be seen. Notable for the width of its walls, the site is also flanked by a natural rock monolith.
A ruinous brick temple that sits atop an elongated laterite base. Originally it was believed to have had three towers but only one remains partially standing today. Nearby are the scenic and spectacular rock carvings of Peung Moha Ey Say. In front of the site, there is a large exposed section of natural bedrock that … Read more
A ruinous but fascinating site that was once three brick temples with a library building. The temples are raised higher than normal with ascending staircases and traces of ornate carvings can be seen to indicate this would have been a very special and ornate temple site. They are all collapsed, but the base structures are … Read more
