Phnom Kulen and Tonle Sap Sunset Cruise Days Tours

The Phnom Kulen National Park Considered by Khmers to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia, it is a popular place. It played a significant role in the history of the Angkor Empire. Visit the sacred peak of Phnom Kulen Mountain and explore the natural landscapes of the surrounding Phnom Kulen National Park on this full day tour from Siem Reap. Take in the views from the mountaintop, admire the 16th-century reclining Buddha statue, and hike to River of 1000 Linga and Phnom Kulen Waterfall.  

Also known as “Amazing Cliff”, located atop Kulen Mountain it’s an easy-to-reach site offering impressive views across the canyon below in between the mountain ranges. It is reached off the main road across the top of the mountain where there is a small parking bay and foot trail leading to the site. Around 150 m or so of the cliff edge is cleared.

At the summit of the hill you can see Buddhist pagoda and a large reclining Buddha statue 8 meters length carved into a sandstone bock in 16th century.

Also often referred to as the Reclining Buddha, Preah Ang Thom is an 8 meters (26 ft) tall statue of the reclining Buddha reaching nirvana. The statue is carved into a huge natural sandstone boulder to which a modern staircase has been added along with a shelter over the Buddha. It is a very sacred and special site for all Cambodians and there are always patrons visiting the site and at times becoming quite busy.

Along a stretch of the riverbed for around 500 m there are carvings of linga, several big and small yoni, and a large carving of Vishnu. Along the walls of the riverbed, a small carving is also seen in the bedrock. 

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 western side of the river. As mentioned the site features an outer laterite enclosure wall containing a small but complex site built of laterite with sandstone columned windows, doorframes, and pillars. An inscription, K.1006 whilst being found nearby is attributed to this site, dating to the 16th century and speaking to a visitor who reconstructed statues in the area. A statue of Avalokiteshvara (Lokeshvara) was also found here.

Most people come to swim in the river which forms the Kulen Waterfall. There are two waterfalls here. The first is around 25m wide and 5m tall. The second is about 15m tall and 15m wide. The sizes of the waterfalls will change depending on the season. There will be much more water during the rainy season, but it’s still worth visiting in the dry season.