sema
Wat Vihear Thom
Also known as Wat Monisalvan Vihear Thom, what we see today is a contemporary pagoda, monastery and school in a lovely peaceful setting, all quite typical, but the site actually houses a great mystery and wonder of the ancient Khmer Empire. That story began in the early 1900s when the abbot, needing water for his … Read more
Wat Choat Naram
Contemporary pagoda featuring a beautiful old gate, stupa, and some curious stele (?). It is located near the border of Tbong Khmum and Kampong Cham province near to the Mekong River. There are several interesting pagodas in the area and only ten minutes away is Preah Theat Preah Srei Temple.
Wat Kampong Reang
Contemporary monastery & pagoda located near a tributary of the Mekong River. By the river, you can find a range of interesting snacks including grubs, crickets, frogs and dried fish, but no rice….
Wat Luong Roka Khnor
A rather ornate contemporary monastery & pagoda in Tbong Khmum Province that has recently been restored. It is one of the older pagodas in the area.
Wat Krouch Chhmar
Contemporary monastery & pagoda located by the edge of the Mekong river with several interesting stupa.
Wat Kampong Treas
An older monastery that features some interesting murals, statues, and pieces from decades ago, at the time of visit in June 2022 it looks like it’s being prepared for refurbishment.
Wat Rattanak
Located around 10km west of Kampong Cham city the contemporary monastery features an old library that was built by the French, at a guess, around 70 years ago. The village area here is quite beautiful, especially if following the trail from the nearby Wat Koh Roka. Under the Boddhi tree there is what appears to … Read more
Wat Dei Doh
Also recorded as Dei Doh Pagoda, it sits by the bank of the Mekong River in Kampong Cham city. Featuring some freshly painted stupas (I’m not sure how old), what appears to be an ancient pair of lions, plus a giant Buddha statue.
Wat
Contemporary monastery where a collection of interesting lions (old, not ancient) and a shelter containing a collection of remnants, some likely from an ancient site. I am not sure of the pagodas name, the only two people at the site were having a midday nap at the time of visiting 🙂
Wat Takam
Contemporary monastery that also appears to be the location of an ancient temple site. Held near the sermon hall are several remnants of an ancient sandstone temple including a pedestal, a corner finial from the upper register depicting a naga, and another pedestal with a small decayed statue. In a shelter fronting the east side … Read more
Wat Bon Ban Dei
A small monastery where the pedestal of an ancient site is also seen with contemporary sema stones surrounding the pagoda. The site is not marked as an ancient site and at the time I wasn’t able to establish the origins of the pedestal. A mystery to solve for the next passerby.
Wat Kcha
Beautiful and characterful old monastery featuring wooden framework, doors, and windows. Its internal walls are decorated with murals of narratives from the Reamker, along with some curious drawings. There is also an array of wooden Buddha statues, at a guess, 40-50 years old.
Vihear Kuk
A rise where ancient remains including sema stone, sema pedestal, laterite, and sandstone blocks are seen. Update Aug 2023 The site now features an enclosed hall covering the site.
Wat Thma Pouk
Monastery housing ancient remains including bollards, lintel fragments, ornate sema stone, and pedestals while the pagoda basement slab is built on or surrounded by laterite blocks.
Srey Krup Leak Temple (Kandal)
Also recorded as Roung Temple, Prasat Baset, it is a 7th century brick temple located just north of a monastery, Wat Phnom Ba, on the hillside of Phnom Baset. You can reach the site by heading up to the monastery and stopping short at the lower car park and then walking to the old pagoda … Read more
Phnom Bros, Phnom Srei, and Phnom Toch
The two mountains are located near to each other and are connected with local folklore, the Khmer Rouge era, and today as a scenic area for relaxing and enjoying views on offer, a kind of cultural tourism site. On Phnom Bros (or Phnom Pros) there is a large stupa, and pagoda in Angkorian style, along … Read more