Phnom Kulen, Angkor Complex, Siem Reap

Phnom Kulen is the holiest mountain in Cambodia. It was here in 802 AD that King Jayavarman declared himself the god-king and breaking away from the Java kingdom. This is the birthplace of the Angkor kingdom and modern Cambodia.

Located 30km beyond Angkor Wat, it is an exquisite mountain region of magical, thundering waterfalls, raunchy riverbed carvings and Cambodia’s largest reclining Buddha carving on its summit. The red sandstone from which Angkor was constructed was quarried here.

Holy Riverbed Carvings

There are numerous of lingas (phalluses) in the waterbed, though not found in as much quantity as in Kbal Spean, the River of 1,000 Lingas. In the Hindu tradition, water flowing over the lingas is sacred and holy, and many Cambodians bottle the water from the downriver waterfalls. In ancient times, these waters, potent with fertility, filled the barays and irrigated the rice fields.

Phnom Kulen was used as the final stronghold of the Khmer Rouge regime and before the construction of a private toll road, was relatively inaccessible or slow going, depending on weather conditions. Even now, tourists are warned not to wander off beaten tracks for fear of hidden mines. Some question that the locals are protecting the sanctity of this spot as thousands of Cambodians visit every year without incident.

Reclining Buddha

It is a popular picnic destination for Cambodians whereas others climb a rickety wooden staircase to Preah Ang Tho, a 16th century Buddhist temple perched on a giant boulder. In it is a giant reclining Buddha which is carved into the top of a 20-m boulder. Join in with worshipers burning incense or leaving offerings while monks. The brightly painted Buddha, is surrounded by prayer flags and carved faces of twelve disciples at its base. Worshipers etch their names into the rock at the back of the statue.. As this is a major destination for a pilgrimage, it is recommended to take shoes and head coverings off before ascending the staircase. The peak of  Phnom Kulen is 487 m above sea level and offers tremendous views.