A map of attractions and ancient temples sites in Kampong Thom Province Cambodia. Kampong Thom is home to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Sambor Prei Kuk group of temples and several other significant ancient sites including Prasat Andet, Prasat Svay Ier, Kok Nokor Temple, Phnom Santuk and many more.
Located northwest of the central cluster of temples of Sambor Prei Kuk, and whilst part of that group, they are actually outliers not only for their location but also in terms of style and era. Prasat Robang Romeas consists of the remains of nine structures/shrines that, along with the nearby Prasat Srei Krup Leak to … Read more
A group of temples aligned on a north-south axis, most in ruin bar one that is partially standing. They are located west of the outer enclosure of Prasat Tao.
Located about 300m west of Prasat Sambor, it’s a small group of three brick temples with one partially standing.
Known as Tower N19 it sits just north of Prasat Sambor and north of N16. It is a square brick temple, and one of the rare sites in SPK that opens to the west, mostly standing. Inside, featuring a water spout (somasutra) exiting through its wall along with what looks to be the internal eave … Read more
Sambor Prei Kuk is a wonderous ancient city/temple complex area dating to the 6-7th century with a staggering 141 recorded temple sites and a large habitation area with complex waterworks in a zone that covers near to 13 sq km (5 sq miles). Known in ancient times as Ishanapura, it is the capital of the … Read more
Located about 7 km east of Stung Sen/Kampong Thom is a beautiful modern pagoda and nunnery (it seems). The multi-level pagoda, riding atop a massive grand hull, and flanked by two other “floating pagodas” all impose a grand sense of scale in a beautiful location beside the Sung Sen River. The site is accessible only … Read more
Located to the north of the Sambor Prei Kuk group, also known as N21, it is a large rectangular temple opening to the east featuring reliefs of “flying palaces” around its outer walls. It opens to the east and features false doors around its other sides. These false doors feature embossed pilasters that form an … Read more
Located on the contemporary monastery grounds of Wat Preah Neang, are the partially standing remains of a laterite temple that once featured, a “library”, an outer enclosure wall, and a permanent basin. Of the ancient site, all that remains is a collection of laterite blocks underneath trees beside the modern stupa I’ll get to in … Read more
Located km north of Sandan village in Kampong Thom, Srae Prasat is what remains of a brick temple that may date back to the 6th or 7th century. It is the sole surviving temple in the area and also featured a basin to the east. The tower opens to the east with a sandstone door … Read more
Located en route to Srah Khchau Temple, there is a trail that leads to a cluster of small ad-hoc shrines located on the side of the mountain. There’s a family’s hut here too and they are very friendly. The easy trail from the point of the hut leads down and around quite scenic rock formations, … Read more
A large chedi that was constructed in 2006 that is extremely well built using a laterite base for the platform and in the body of the stupa itself. It is located en route to Wat Sothyro Ratanaream (Khmer: វត្តសុធីរោរតនារាម)
An intriguing ancient site that was built atop Phnom Srah Khchau, a then atop a man-made stepped rise with remnants likely dating back to around the 7-8th century. The stepped rise which created a level base for the temple is quite large and steps upwards three times, reducing in size as it goes, with a … Read more
Also known as Praying Rain Temple, Prasat Sreng Treach, and Tower N22 of the Sambor Prei Kuk group, it’s a rectangular brick temple that had some successful restoration work done in early 2022. It is one of the handful of sites in the area that retains its sandstone lintel. The site sits to the south … Read more
Located northwest of the central cluster of temples of Sambor Prei Kuk, Prasat Srei Krup Leak consists of the remains of seven structures/shrines that, along with the nearby Prasat Robang Romeas, pre-date other temples in the area and are described as being at the transition of the earlier Chenla era to Sambor Prei Kuk architectural … Read more
Also noted as Svay Ie, Svay Loe, Bei Serei Sithor, and Wat Prasat Sirisotha. On the grounds of the contemporary monastery and pagoda is a standing brick temple, circa 10th century, that was once a group of three. The ancient temple sits tightly against the rear of the contemporary pagoda and is partially encapsulated by … Read more
Also recorded as Tuol Ta Pich Temple Base, Ta Pec, and Tuol Don Srei, it’s the site where an important inscribed stele was discovered. It’s located 6km east of the RN 6 in Baray District, and just south of the road, it’s a large moat-surrounded mound accessed from the east. On visiting in Sep 2023, … Read more
Located east of the main temple cluster of Sambor Prei Kuk, it’s also recorded as Prasat Russey Roliek. It’s a large rectangular brick temple opening to the east featuring an antechamber preceding the central chamber, only a handful of sites in Sambor Prei Kuk feature such. It also features stunning reliefs on its sidewalls depicting … Read more
Prasat Tao is the central sanctuary of Sambor Prei Kuk, and the main temple of the C group. The central shrine is a stunning monumental brick tower, believed to date back to the 7-8th century, and is renowned for its beautiful lions that adorn its entrance steps. The lions here are believed to be the … Read more
Also recorded as Prasat Kambot/Kombot and Ta Hem. This fascinating small temple hidden away in the back blocks of a farming area features impressive carvings of a standing Buddha on its north, west, and south walls. The towering relief carvings are quite decayed but still clear in their outline. The carvings break a double cornice … Read more
Also recorded as Thnot Chum, West Tnaot Choum Temple, and just Prasat Tnaot Chum. It is a large tall square brick temple that opens to the east with a sandstone doorframe and false doors set in the brickwork on its other sides. The ancient temple is in surprisingly good condition, rising up with four false … Read more
Located just south of RN 6 on the road that leads to Kampong Leang, Toul Vihear was a site where remains of an ancient temple were recorded. To the east, the large basin of the ancient site is still functioning well. Those remains included laterite and brick, along with window columns, doorframe, and the sandstone … Read more
Trapeang Ropeak, also designated as temple Y, is located 40 m to the northwest of temple Z. Here are the remains of an octagonal shrine that is spectacularly taken over by a tree. It’s outer walls are without decoration although decorative bands around the eaves can still be seen. Historical Notes Less to the south … Read more
Also known as Group Z of Sambor Prei Kuk, its a brick temple group featuring one tall standing brick temple surrounded by four other smaller brick temples arranged to form a quincunx. The four outer towers are all in ruin bar a partially standing octagonal temple. The central temple is well preserved and opens to … Read more
Also recorded as Tuol Yeay Srei Temple Base, it’s located 6km east of the RN 6 in Baray District, and around 1km east of the ruins of Ta Pich. It’s a large moat-surrounded mound accessed by wading through the rice fields and entering from either the east or west side, the traditional entrance would have … Read more
Located east of the RN 6 in Baray District, the site is moat moat-surrounded mound featuring a contemporary shelter/shrine and a collection of ancient sandstone remnants from a temple that once existed here. The collection of remnants includes mostly pedestals, some of a slightly unusual nature which may have been masonry altered when the site … Read more
The contemporary monastery also recorded as Banork Pagoda houses several ancient remnants including a reclining Buddha atop the balan. It’s noted that two pre-Angkorian Buddha statues were found here (also see Cisark #1349). Dalet also recorded an ancient Buddha statue seen here noting it as “early Khmer art” (6-7th century) Inscription References
Contemporary monastery and pagoda that features remnants of an older brick stupa of the 20th century on its eastern side. It was marked as “146” on Henri Parmentier’s map from 1935.
Contemporary monastery and pagoda that houses several remains of an ancient temple, including pedestals, lions, boundary markers, diagraphic stele, along with sema stones of later eras.
Monastery built on the site of an ancient temple. Several remnants are collected on the western side of the pagoda including an ornate pediment fragment, chaitya/bollard, a very decayed lintel and other pieces. The pediment fragment is the most artistically intersting, featuring a depiction of Brahma (sadly beheaded) flanked by two “angels”. The contemporary pagoda … Read more
