The sight is located within Angkor. To prepare for your visit, read the AsiaExplorers Angkor Travel Guide for useful information. Visitors to Angkor stay at the town of Siem Reap. If you are looking for budget accommodation in Siem Reap, use the Cambodia Budget Accommodation Guide to find a place to stay.
Built in the late 9th - early 10th century
by King Yasovarman I
Phnom Krom is one of the few major sights located outside the main Angkor area. It is located close to the Tonle Sap, and should be visited in conjunction with a tour of the lake. Upon arriving at the base, be prepared for a long climb to the top of the hill.
The prasats of Phnom Krom
I visited Phnom Krom with Chooi Yoke in the late afternoon, after a tour of Tonle Sap. The climb up Phnom Krom provided a marvellous view of the Khmer countryside. From here, I could see the row of houses on stilts lining the road to the great lake, and a landscape of green paddy fields awashed by the lake on the horizon. When I arrived at the top of Phnom Krom, I met up with two other members of AsiaExplorers who had joined us in coming to Angkor, but have gone off their separate ways. We were there to watch the sun set.
The temple at Phnom Krom consists of three prasats, or sanctuary towers, arranged north to south. The central tower is larger than those on its side, and is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. The prasat on the north of it was dedicated to Vishnu while the one to the south to Brahma.
Other structures within the temple enclosure includes halls, many of these in ruins today. Facing the three prasats are four smaller structures, the central two in stone while the outer two in bricks.
How to go to Phnom Krom
Phnom Krom is reached on the main road that runs south of Siem Reap. It is about 10km from the town. The path up the hill starts near the road, where your tuk tuk can park and wait for you to climb up. The climb takes about 15-25 minutes, depending on your speed. I would recommend that you combine the visit to Phnom Krom with the visit to Tonle Sap.
If you are travelling on a packaged tour, then your itinerary is pretty much decided, and Phnom Krom might not be included. However, if you are travelling independently, then the best option is to hire a tuk tuk. Most tuk tuk should know how to go to Phnom Krom, as it is quite straightforward. You can also contact my tuk tuk driver, Mr Han (see contact below) to see if he is available to take you.
Staircase towards Phnom Krom.
View of marshes from Phnom Krom.
Archway at the top of the stairs.
Buddhist temple at Phnom Krom.
Ruins of Phnom Krom.
Smaller towers at Phnom Krom.
Exploring Angkor, Unesco World Heritage Site
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Siem Reap Travel Guide
If you are visiting Angkor, it's almost definite that you will be staying in a hotel or guesthouse in Siem Reap. You will probably also need to hire a tuk tuk to take you around. Click the thumbnail on the left to view vital details to make your stay in Siem Reap more pleasant.
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