Phnom Krom Mountain
Description
Phnom Krom is a hill which is located around 12km from Siem Reap. At the top of the hill is Prasat Phnom Krom which is a Hindu shrine built in the 9th century by King Yasovarman. The temple was dedicated to three Hindu gods, Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva.
The view from the top is stunning and you can see for miles around. You can climb the stairs to the top of the rocky mountain, explore the three shrines, and watch the sunset over the Tonle Sap Lake.
How to get there?
Phnom Krom is located about 10km south of Siem Reap town along the Road 63 which leads to the Tonle Sap Lake. To see the temple at the top, you’ll have to walk up a long set of stairs to the top of the 140m mountain.
Phnom Krom is easily accessible as the road is very good. You might want to take a bicycle and take in the beautiful scenery along the way. You’ll see local villages and some really untouched parts of the Cambodian countryside.
Thing to do
When you reach the foot of the hill, there are some lovely small villages around. You can really get the feeling that you’re off the beaten track here. So take the time to have a look around and explore.
If you're looking to visit Phnom Krom, you'll need a temple pass. Since it's located in the opposite direction from the main temples, you might want to visit it later in the afternoon. This is also the best time to visit, as you can enjoy the sunset. You might consider visiting Phnom Krom in conjunction with Chong Kneas floating village or stopping by Wat Athvea along the way. It's also nice to explore the surrounding countryside and visit one of the local restaurants. The whole area is particularly scenic during the wet season.
Best time to visit
The whole area turns green in the rainy season and it’s a wonderful time of year to visit.
