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Phnom Kulen

Phnom Kulen

ភ្នំគូលែន

The sacred mountain where Jayavarman II is said to have founded the Khmer empire in 802. Lingas carved in the riverbed, a reclining Buddha, and a waterfall.

Quick facts

Pass Type
Separate Ticket
Entry Fee USD
$20
Opening Hours
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Commissioning King
Jayavarman II
Century Built
9th Century
Religion & Primary Deity
Hindu & Buddhist · Shiva
Circuit
Outer Temple
Distance from Siem Reap
48 km
Best Time to Visit
A weekday morning in the dry season. The road up is one-way and the morning cutoff is real.

Nicknames and famous highlights

River of a Thousand LingasMountain of LycheesRiver of a Thousand LingasReclining BuddhaWaterfallMahendraparvata, the 802 capital

History and architecture

Phnom Kulen, Mahendraparvata, is the traditional birthplace of the Angkorian kingdom. In 802 Jayavarman II held the ritual that declared him universal monarch, independent of Java. The riverbed is cut with hundreds of lingas and with images of Vishnu, so the water running off the mountain was already holy before it reached the plains. A large reclining Buddha was carved into a boulder in the 16th century, long after the Hindu capital. The site is a national park, not part of the Angkor Pass. The ticket is paid in cash at the checkpoint, and the mountain road runs uphill in the morning and downhill later in the day.

How to get to Phnom Kulen

OriginDistanceDurationModes
Siem Reap48 km1.5 h–2.5 hPrivate car, Minivan

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to visit Phnom Kulen?

Phnom Kulen charges a separate ticket of $20. The pass recorded here is Separate Ticket.

What are the opening hours of Phnom Kulen?

Phnom Kulen is listed as open 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Best time to visit: A weekday morning in the dry season. The road up is one-way and the morning cutoff is real..

Who built Phnom Kulen?

Commissioned under Jayavarman II, 9th Century, 802, dedicated to Shiva. The religion recorded here is Hindu & Buddhist.

What is Phnom Kulen known for?

Also called River of a Thousand Lingas, Mountain of Lychees. Known for River of a Thousand Lingas, Reclining Buddha, Waterfall, Mahendraparvata, the 802 capital

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