The vast Sambor Prei Kuk

The archaeological site of Sambor Prei Kuk is located in the ancient capital of the Chenla Kingdom: Ishanapura. More precisely, the site is situated 150 km southeast of Angkor, and 30 km north of the capital, Kampong Thom. Only ruins remain of the Sambor Prei Kuk complex, but this does not diminish its significant cultural value in the history of Cambodia and its appeal to tourists. Discover the grandeur of this cultural heritage that marked the history of Cambodia’s pre-Angkorian kingdom during your stay in Kampong Thom province.

History

Sambor Prei Kuk was an ancient city dating back to the 7th century during the Chenla Empire. Ishanapura, the former capital of the kingdom, was one of the first states in Southeast Asia ruled by Citrasena Mahendravarman. The Sambor Prei Kuk complex was later built by his son Isanavarman, who reigned from 616 to 637. He first constructed the main temple, Prasat Sambor, where an inscription marking his reign in 627 was discovered. The kingdom was then ruled for the last time by King Jayavarman I.

In 1970, following the coup d'état of Lon Nol against Prince Norodom Sihanouk, U.S. President Richard Nixon ordered a bombing campaign against the country to fight the Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese influence. The site was ravaged, and landmines were scattered, only being cleared in 2008.

Despite the destruction caused by the American bombings, the site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017.

Visiting the Sambor Prei Kuk Site

Architecture

Located on the eastern bank of the Tonlé Sap River, the Sambor Prei Kuk complex stands out with its central area, divided into three major groups. Each group is arranged in a square layout surrounded by a brick wall. The main materials used for construction are primarily brick and sandstone. The buildings are characterized by their simple exterior style, marking the pre-Angkorian period. Architectural features include numerous prasats, octagonal towers, Shiva lingams, and yonis. There are also several ponds, reservoirs, and other lion sculptures. Excavations have identified 52 small sanctuaries still in good condition and another 52 buried sanctuaries, which appear as small hills. These sanctuaries are made of brick and limestone, with walls adorned with bas-reliefs depicting landscapes.

The three architectural groups of the site

North: Prasat Sambor

This group includes 11 temples separated by walls and surrounded by a double-layered rampart. These sanctuaries are constructed from brick and limestone and decorated with authentic Khmer-style sculptures. The temples were built in various shapes: square and octagonal, with lotus-shaped tops made of sandstone. This structure is a testament to Khmer art during the Angkorian civilization, influenced by Indian culture. Prasat Sambor is located on a rectangular hill, 24 meters high, with an area of 25,200 m².

Center: Prasat Tao (Temple of the Lions)

The Temple of the Lions, or Prasat Tao, consists of 18 temples with two surrounding ramparts and an inner pond. The group is named after the lions sitting on all four sides of its stairs, with their heads raised and mouths open, facing the temple entrance. The outer wall of the temple is made of laterite, with a diameter of 328 meters, a length of 310 meters, and a total area of 101,650 m². The fortress has a gopura (gateway) at each of its east and west entrances, connected by laterite ramparts. On either side of the road leading to the eastern gopura are two sanctuaries shaped like hills, built on a terrace with rounded, aligned columns. Between the ramparts, there used to be a rectangular pond measuring 42.10 m by 34.20 m. The pond is dry in the dry season and is surrounded by small stairs on its southern side.

South: Prasat Yeaye Peou

The Prasat Yeaye Peou group includes 22 octagonal sanctuaries with a two-layered rampart. The rampart was built with brick, laterite, and sandstone in a rectangular shape. The sanctuaries are situated on a hill with gopuras at the east and west entrances, linking to the outer side ramparts. On the eastern gopura, there was a large stele inscribed with 17 lines of script. This stele is now housed in the Kampong Thom Museum.

In addition to the three main architectural groups of the complex, you can visit the Kroul Romeas group. Behind this, there are four other sanctuaries made of brick, built during the reign of King Suryavarman I in the late 11th century. The hill where these sanctuaries are located is rectangular and faces east. The lintel of the hill is sculpted in the shape of an arc. Southeast of Kroul Romeas were two temples built in the ancient Khmer style.

Ancient heritage of Phnom Santuk mountain:

On Phnom Santuk Mountain, near Sambor Prei Kuk, there are several Buddha statues carved into the mountain’s rock. Among the many statues, the three largest depict Buddha reaching Nirvana and each measures approximately 10 meters in height.

You will also find Prasat Touch, with its pyramid-like shape. This ancient palace, made of sandstone, has three floors and stands 3 meters tall. It is located next to an ancient wooden temple, now cemented, with its rectangular pond.

There is also Preah Bat Chann, a Tuk statue carved from a stone block and surrounded by many smaller sculptures. You can also find the large Buddha statue, Preah Bat Chan Tuk, sculpted from large stones and built by King Ang Chan I in the 16th century.

Religion

The official religion of the ancient city of Chenla, or Sambor Prei Kuk, was Shaivism. It was one of the four most practiced sects in Hinduism at the time. The religion worships the god Shiva and the lingam or Shiva Linga. Sanskrit inscriptions can still be seen carved on stones, mentioning both Hindu and local gods, along with altars with a lingam.

Landscape

The Sambor Prei Kuk complex was built in a dry plain with undergrowth, where sparse but beautiful vegetation grows. There are a few large trees that reach over ten meters tall, with massive vertical roots extending from the foliage to the ground. With a double system of ramparts and moats to the north, west, and south, Sambor Prei Kuk is bordered to the east by the Tonlé Sap River, which serves as a natural defensive barrier.

How to get there?

Since Sambor Prei Kuk is located in Kampong Thom province, you will need to reach the province by taking a bus from Phnom Penh. The trip takes about three hours. To get to the site, you can rent a car from the city of Kampong Thom, the capital of the province.

Upon arrival at the site, the tour of the complex is done on foot and lasts between two to three hours. Travelers move from one temple complex to another in the heart of the forest.

Hours of Operation

• Upon arriving at Sambor Prei Kuk, you must pay an entrance fee and can also hire a local guide on-site.
• The site is open every day, Monday through Sunday, from 07:00 AM to 05:00 PM.