Phnom Kulen, Sacred mountain and archaeological site in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
Phnom Kulen is a sandstone mountain in Cambodia that rises roughly sixteen hundred feet (about 500 meters) above the surrounding plain and stretches across many miles of forest. The slopes hold temple sites, natural springs and rivers that turn into pools and waterfalls as they move downhill.
King Jayavarman II proclaimed independence from Javanese rule in the ninth century on this site and founded the Khmer Empire. The area later became a pilgrimage destination and remained spiritually important for centuries.
The mountain contains the largest reclining Buddha statue in Cambodia at Preah Ang Thom monastery, drawing Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims.
Access follows wooded roads that open to vehicles in the morning hours, while descent is allowed throughout the day. The terrain includes steep paths and slippery rocks near waterfalls, so sturdy footwear and extra time are advisable.
The hillside river displays Hindu motifs carved into the rock that become visible as water flows over them. These eleventh-century carvings turn the riverbed into a ritual landscape.
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