Sambor Prei Kuk
Sambor Prei Kuk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
167 reviews
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Wanderlustaustralia
Sydney, Australia101 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
We visited as a group and hired a local tour guide who was very knowledgeable and friendly. The temples are really spaced out - make sure to wear comfy shoes and mosquito repellent. I recommend having a driver meet you at the end of each temple.
They were gorgeous temples that are currently undergoing conservation.
Highly recommend.
They were gorgeous temples that are currently undergoing conservation.
Highly recommend.
Written September 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
familyh0liday2008
Montreal, Canada78 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
What an incredible experience! We spent several hours exploring the temples with a well-informed guide who spoke excellent English. We were surprised that few tourists were around and at times it was almost as if we were the only tourists there. We learnt so much about the history of Cambodia which deepened our understanding of the temples in Angkor Siem Reap.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
aroberts55
20 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
I had just visited Angkor Wat and seen the height of the Khmer Empire. This takes you back to the Chenla Empire.
Our tour guide, Neth, was fantastic. She knew the history well and helped me understand the difference from later architecture.
I really hope this site gets more visitors . It is beautiful and fascinating.
Our tour guide, Neth, was fantastic. She knew the history well and helped me understand the difference from later architecture.
I really hope this site gets more visitors . It is beautiful and fascinating.
Written February 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JadeChantel
Australia15 contributions
An interesting perspective after having seen the Siem Reap temples. Much smaller site and smaller temples but still beautiful in their own way. As long as you don't compare it to the other temples you'll enjoy it too.
Advice: the road on the way is bumpy, so if you're not a fan of bouncing up and down a fair bit grab a car rather than tuk tuk. That being said we were fine in a tuk tuk for about $12... Just felt a bit like freshly jostled popcorn.
Also, please please please use the local tour guides. They only cost $6 for the two hours that you will be there and they are fantastic. Their English isn't as good but they try incredibly hard.
We paid over $100 for a tour guide who didn't have as many stories and facts to share with us up in Siem Reap and wish we could have given our guide more than the $6 and couple of extra dollars tip we had budgeted.
I wish I could remember his name to recommend, we know he taught English to local children and some of the other tour guides.
You will also have some local children follow you around who are incredibly friendly. The $1 they are asking for scarves is cheaper than the price you can haggle in most markets so have a think about that too! Most of them go without enough food on a daily basis.
Advice: the road on the way is bumpy, so if you're not a fan of bouncing up and down a fair bit grab a car rather than tuk tuk. That being said we were fine in a tuk tuk for about $12... Just felt a bit like freshly jostled popcorn.
Also, please please please use the local tour guides. They only cost $6 for the two hours that you will be there and they are fantastic. Their English isn't as good but they try incredibly hard.
We paid over $100 for a tour guide who didn't have as many stories and facts to share with us up in Siem Reap and wish we could have given our guide more than the $6 and couple of extra dollars tip we had budgeted.
I wish I could remember his name to recommend, we know he taught English to local children and some of the other tour guides.
You will also have some local children follow you around who are incredibly friendly. The $1 they are asking for scarves is cheaper than the price you can haggle in most markets so have a think about that too! Most of them go without enough food on a daily basis.
Written August 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
E150A
London, UK824 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
Sambor Prei Kuk is a pre-Angkorian site about 20 miles (almost 1 hour) north of Kampong Thom. It used to be capital of the Chenla Kingdom and it is predominantly brick with the oldest building date from the 7th century or a remarkable 500 years before Bayon. Almost as old to the builders of Bayon as Bayon was to the first European explorers.
When I was there at the end of April I did not see any other visitors. I did not see any craft shops mentioned in the Lonely Planet and not even a ticket collector. I had the whole site to myself except a couple running a very basic restaurant near the car park. It was a bit spooky - every standing temple had evidence of recent use and also a lot of recent visitors judging by the amount of fresh litter but no people.
There are three main groups of temples surrounded by walls and there are others scattered throughout the jungle. It makies more sense to start at the South Group and work your way up to the Northern Group so ask your driver to drop you off there and to meet you at the car park which is close to the Northern Group.
The Southern Group (Prasat Yeai Poeun) is probably in the worse condition or the most atmospheric, depending your view. There are octagonal sanctuaries ("flying palaces") with some carvings visible but most of this group is basically rubble. However the central temple is still standing and has an impressively high corbel celiling. Another interesting thing to note is a head that is remarkably in Ghandara style on the lintel of the eastern entrance.
The Central Group is northwest of the Southern Group and the highlight here is the Lion Temple (Prasat Tao), so called because of the elaborately carved lions guarding the entrance. There is also the remains of a baray with steps and stone lining visible. Also there are several big holes around here, which might be remains of the US bombing in the 1970's.
The Northern Group (Prasat Sambor) is northeast of the Central Group and it is undergoing restoration at the moment. The most interesting thing here is the Vishnu Temple facing the Durga Temple, just north of the main temple. Original statues of both Vishnu and Durga (or Mrs Vishnu) are now at the National Museum in Phnom Penh but the replicas still show how it must have looked originally, although I am not sure that the statues would have been placed on a yoni pedastal.
To the north of the Northern Group (across the main road), there is a group of three temples. The interesting one is called Prasat Chrey (I think) and it is basically covered by a single tree, a most remarkable sight that puts Ta Prohm to shame. There are more temples deeper in the jungle but less impressive than the ones in the main group and it is a bit risky wandering too far off unless you have a GPS, map, compass and experience navigating. There are sandy trails linking the sites but they look the same and it can get a bit confusing.
When I was there at the end of April I did not see any other visitors. I did not see any craft shops mentioned in the Lonely Planet and not even a ticket collector. I had the whole site to myself except a couple running a very basic restaurant near the car park. It was a bit spooky - every standing temple had evidence of recent use and also a lot of recent visitors judging by the amount of fresh litter but no people.
There are three main groups of temples surrounded by walls and there are others scattered throughout the jungle. It makies more sense to start at the South Group and work your way up to the Northern Group so ask your driver to drop you off there and to meet you at the car park which is close to the Northern Group.
The Southern Group (Prasat Yeai Poeun) is probably in the worse condition or the most atmospheric, depending your view. There are octagonal sanctuaries ("flying palaces") with some carvings visible but most of this group is basically rubble. However the central temple is still standing and has an impressively high corbel celiling. Another interesting thing to note is a head that is remarkably in Ghandara style on the lintel of the eastern entrance.
The Central Group is northwest of the Southern Group and the highlight here is the Lion Temple (Prasat Tao), so called because of the elaborately carved lions guarding the entrance. There is also the remains of a baray with steps and stone lining visible. Also there are several big holes around here, which might be remains of the US bombing in the 1970's.
The Northern Group (Prasat Sambor) is northeast of the Central Group and it is undergoing restoration at the moment. The most interesting thing here is the Vishnu Temple facing the Durga Temple, just north of the main temple. Original statues of both Vishnu and Durga (or Mrs Vishnu) are now at the National Museum in Phnom Penh but the replicas still show how it must have looked originally, although I am not sure that the statues would have been placed on a yoni pedastal.
To the north of the Northern Group (across the main road), there is a group of three temples. The interesting one is called Prasat Chrey (I think) and it is basically covered by a single tree, a most remarkable sight that puts Ta Prohm to shame. There are more temples deeper in the jungle but less impressive than the ones in the main group and it is a bit risky wandering too far off unless you have a GPS, map, compass and experience navigating. There are sandy trails linking the sites but they look the same and it can get a bit confusing.
Written June 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marguerite W
Cape Town Central, South Africa568 contributions
Took a diversion off the road to Siem Reap to visit these fantastic ruins. Hired a local guide who spoke excellent English - it would be almost impossible to see all that we saw without a guide & at US $10 it was well worth it. The ruins, which are several centuries older than Angkor Wat are fantastic & we literally had the entire place to ourselves. Some of the ruins are crumbling while others have been excavated by French archaeologists & have then had some essential safety maintenance carried out. Originally there were about 290 temples on this site but so far only about 40 have been found & identified. But there's plenty to look & marvel at......how did the work of craftsmen carried out in the 7th century last until today? The carvings are still in excellent condition & worth seeing.
This visit is a real treat & if you're on the road or are making a stop at nearby Kampong Thom.
This visit is a real treat & if you're on the road or are making a stop at nearby Kampong Thom.
Written February 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Amina R
Mechelen, Belgium56 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
We visited sambor prei kuk from kompong thom. There we rented a scooter for 7 dollar at the little "travel agency" of Im Sokhom (street 3, quite far in to the street). It's really easy to drive to sambor prei kuk yourself and the road was most of the time in good condition and totally paved. For those who don't drive a motorbike, there were also several tuk tuk drivers that wanted to take us there.
The entrance fee is 3 dollars. When we arrived at the tempels a local guide (mrs. krouch sodany, tel: (855)12676523) offered to guide us for 6 dollar. We decided to let her guide us and it was a very good decision. She explained a lot about the tempels and the history, could answer all our questions, also told us a little bit about the community where she lives and didn't rush us at all. Her being our guide really made this visit special.
The temples were beautiful but some where more ruines. The tempel that is "eaten" by a tree is very nice and several tempels have a lot of beautiful carvings. The charm of this temples is that they are situated in a beautiful, peaceful forest and that you have the tempels almost to yourself. Maybe best to see them before Angkor tempels, because I'm not sure if they are that impressive after seeing Angkor Wat.
The only downside to this tempels is the loads of children selling scarves. They are very nice and can speak a little English, but personally we don't buy anything from children as it encourages the parents to send the children to go selling things in stead of going to school. So we found the many scarf selling children a bit annoying.
The entrance fee is 3 dollars. When we arrived at the tempels a local guide (mrs. krouch sodany, tel: (855)12676523) offered to guide us for 6 dollar. We decided to let her guide us and it was a very good decision. She explained a lot about the tempels and the history, could answer all our questions, also told us a little bit about the community where she lives and didn't rush us at all. Her being our guide really made this visit special.
The temples were beautiful but some where more ruines. The tempel that is "eaten" by a tree is very nice and several tempels have a lot of beautiful carvings. The charm of this temples is that they are situated in a beautiful, peaceful forest and that you have the tempels almost to yourself. Maybe best to see them before Angkor tempels, because I'm not sure if they are that impressive after seeing Angkor Wat.
The only downside to this tempels is the loads of children selling scarves. They are very nice and can speak a little English, but personally we don't buy anything from children as it encourages the parents to send the children to go selling things in stead of going to school. So we found the many scarf selling children a bit annoying.
Written February 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
fun2travelCanberra
Canberra, Australia307 contributions
Nov 2010
Sambor Prei Kuk is a group of pre-Angkor built temples and buildings. It took us about 45 minutes to drive the 30 kilometres to the site from Kompong Thom. The jungle is encroaching on some of the buildings with huge trees entwining themselves through and around some buildings. Some trees are both holding buildings up while at the same time crushing them apart. The paths from one temple to another are dirt tracks. There were local people kneeling in prayer at the front of one of the temples when we were there so local people are still using the temples as their sacred site. So visitors should be respectful of objects etc inside the temples. The site is not a major developed tourist site so it is very quiet and tranquil. We were there in the afternoon and the sun was at the wrong angle to get good photos. Perhaps morning would be a better time to visit if photography is important. 1 - 2 hours would be enough time to see Sambor Prei Kuk.
Written April 22, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Elizabeth G
Tanunda, Australia177 contributions
This was a fabulous experience. We wandered along narrow trails to view temples that pre-date those at Angkor by more than 500 years. Several are little more than rubble, but others are in an excellent state while the most significant are under restoration. It is quite an arduous trip along poor roads to get there.
Written January 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,564 contributions
Jun 2012 • Couples
Our advice in approaching Sambor Prei Kuk is to do your best to forget Angkor. If that proves impossible, you should at least avoid comparing this to Angkor Wat. It was built early in the 7th century, some five to six hundred years before the Khmers constructed their architectural masterpiece. This is a vast time difference: when Sambor Prei Kuk was built Rome had only fallen 150 years before and Europe was plunged into the Dark Ages. What you see at this site is the capital of Chenla, probably Indochina's greatest kingdom before the rise of Angkor.And to have conceived and built a temple complex involving pools, walled compounds and at least 100 brick temples in the year 610 was an incredible achievement. Fourteen centuries have passed since and these temples have been damaged by the jungle, erosion and looters, but with a leap of the imagination, you can envisage this as a magnificent capital city full of priests, scholars and aristocrats, whose influence was felt as far away as the Mekong Delta.
Practically, there are three main compounds here: if you come all this way you should see all of them. You can do a leisurely tour of all three sanctuaries in two to three hours, allowing time to stop and look at not only the brick carvings but also the monkeys, centipedes, columns of ants and butterflies which inhabit this jungle-entwined site. The single most impressive monument is the Lion Temple, which maintains two beautifully abstract lion guardians (the rest seem to have fallen victim to looters.) Also don't miss the unusual 'flying palace' carvings in the final group.
A small amount of conservation work was being done at the time of our visit, but this site will need a lot of funds before it is properly conserved as one of South East Asia's premier historical sites.
Practically, there are three main compounds here: if you come all this way you should see all of them. You can do a leisurely tour of all three sanctuaries in two to three hours, allowing time to stop and look at not only the brick carvings but also the monkeys, centipedes, columns of ants and butterflies which inhabit this jungle-entwined site. The single most impressive monument is the Lion Temple, which maintains two beautifully abstract lion guardians (the rest seem to have fallen victim to looters.) Also don't miss the unusual 'flying palace' carvings in the final group.
A small amount of conservation work was being done at the time of our visit, but this site will need a lot of funds before it is properly conserved as one of South East Asia's premier historical sites.
Written June 24, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
olivier n
Haute-Savoie, France2 contributions
Bonjour je cherche une guesthouse à côté du site
koksengy
George Town, Malaysia999 contributions
Hi, kok seng. What would you like to know about this attraction? What would be a reasonable of time to spend here? and will it be better in the morning or late afternoon? Is there an opening and closing time for the place?
Hey! Could you give me any contact details to the homestay you mentioned? :) Thanks in advance!
LuciaFromSlovakia
Bratislava, Slovakia39 contributions
Hi. I am in Battamangu. How can I organise homestay in Sambor Prei Kuk. Thanks for any idea
L.
Sambor Prei Kuk, Kampong Thom Province
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