Temples

Phnom Hap Temple

Also known as Kom Nob Temple (ប្រាសាទ ភ្នំកំណប់), it’s located atop a small mountain of the same name, Phnom Hap, that lies to the southwest of Phnom Kulen and south of Kbal Spean. At the base of the mountain, on its northeastern side, a Buddhist monastery (wat) provides access to the trail leading up to … Read more

Ta Iem Temple (Sre Yem)

Located in Svay Leu on the farming plains below Kulen Mountain, Prasat Ta Iem (on Google Maps as Prasat Ta Tiep and other notes as Sre Yem) features an outer moat, laterite walled enclosure with an entrance on the east leading to a single brick tower. The site is also recorded as Srae Yem and … Read more

Preah Chatomukh

Located near the southwestern corner of the baray of Preah Khan of Kampong Svay, the monumental four-sided Buddha stands some 10m tall. The site is held to date to around the late 12th to early 13th century although no foundation inscription has ever been recovered. Also recorded as Chaktomuk Temple/Prasat Chatumuk (Khmer: ប្រាសាទចតុមុខ), the site … Read more

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

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

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

Wat Prasat Monisomsan

Also recorded as Moni Saom San Temple. It’s a contemporary pagoda built on the location of an ancient temple site. The contemporary pagoda, albeit showing some age, is quite beautiful and has its own interesting style compared to those in the area. Remains of the ancient site can be seen on the eastern side including … Read more

Wat Preah Ang Choub

Located partway up the south side of Kulen Mountain, Wat Preah Ang Choub features a highly revered ancient rock carving recorded as Peung Preah Chop. It is a functioning monastery and an important one, too; every year, thousands of monks gather here, coming from Thailand and as far as China. As mentioned, the site is … Read more

Phum Snay

Site of an ancient necropolis. There is a small museum here although unfortunately the key is not held locally. The discoveries made here were quite fascinating, illuminating an ancient culture that pre-dates even the oldest of the ancient temples. I’ll point to the informative research papers below and also the excellent museum in Banteay Meanchey … 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

Sema Don Meas

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

Kôk Ta Sin

A mound, surrounded by rice fields, where brick and laterite remains were found (and still seen). A basin in the east named Ta Ros (Cisark)

Ta Trachiek Veng

Located north of Svay Leu and Peung Komnou, Ta Trachiek Veng, or Prasat Nakta Tracheak Thom, is a laterite terrace supporting a large stele with a representation of Ganesha in what may be Vigna Ganapati form.

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