Phnom Kulen

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.

 

Khting Slap Temple

Remains of a small brick temple that featured a “library” building and an outer enclosure wall with an entrance to the north. Historical Photos (Taken around 1936 – property of EFEO – more at Fonds Cambodge)

Kneeling Elephant of Phnom Kulen

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

Kroes Prasat

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.    

Kroes Thma Bay Kriem

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.

Chop Temple

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

Trapeang Veng

A large mound with mass of brick debris, near Trung Khla Khmum Temple.

Balang Temple

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.

Kbal Spean – Visiting Info, Layout, History & 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

Peam Kre Temple (Phnom Kulen)

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

Sema Peam Kre

Sema Peam Kre is a very unique site in the context of the early Angkor located atop Kulen mountain near to and believed to be contemporaneous to the Banteay (Royal Palace) of Mahendraparvata around the 8-9th century. It is a very early Buddhist site featuring upright large carved stone slabs (sema stones) arranged to demarcate … 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

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

Sema Don Meas

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

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

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

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

Kraol Romeas Temple

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