photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Kazuo Lim Khee Boon | profile | all galleries >> My Travel Album >> Cambodia >> Temples of Angkor >> Phnom Bakheng tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Angkor Thom | Angkor Wat | Baksei Chamkrong | Banteay Kdei | Banteay Samré | Banteay Srei | Baphuon | Bat Chum | Bayon | Beng Mealea | Chau Say Tevoda | East Mebon | Kbal Spean | North Kleang | Phimeanakas | Phnom Bakheng | Phnom Krom | Prasat Chrung | Prasat Kas Ho | Prasat Kravan | Prasat Suor Prat | Pre Rup | Preah Khan | Preah Neak Pean | Preah Palilay | Preah Pithu | Roluos | Royal Enclosure | South Kleang | Spean Thmor | Sra Srang | Ta Keo | Ta Nei | Ta Prohm | Ta Som | Tep Pranam | Terrace of Elephants | Terrace of Leper King | Thommanon | West Mebon | Western Baray | Phnom Kulen

Phnom Bakheng

Phnom Bakheng




Phnom Bakheng, a Hindu temple in the form of a temple mountain. Dedicated to Shiva, it was built at the end of the 9th century, during the reign of King Yasovarman I. It is also home to the first of the temple-mountains built in the vicinity of Angkor. Yasovarman I chose Phnom Bakheng over the Roluos area, where the earlier capital had been located.

Phnom Bakheng located 400m south of Angkor Thom and its famous attraction is the sunset view of Angkor Wat. Unpleasantly, and inevitably, the whole affair has turned into something like a pack of sardine especially during the peak season, with crowds of tourists gasping up the steep slope of the hill and jockeying for space once on top. Coming down can be even worse as there is nothing at all in the way of lighting. Moreover, the steep stairway can be dangerous if precaution is not implemented. Atop the hill, in order to get a decent picture of Angkor Wat in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun you will need at least a 300mm lens as the temple is 1.3km away.

The temple-mountain has five tiers, with seven levels which including the base and the summit. At the base believed were altogether 44 towers. Each of the five tiers had 12 towers. The summit of the temple has four towers at the cardinal points of the compass as well as a central sanctuary. All of these numbers are of symbolic significance. The seven levels, for example, represent the seven Hindu Heavens, while the total number of towers, excluding the Central Sanctuary, is 108, a particularly auspicious number and one that correlates to the lunar calendar.

To visit Phnom Bakheng there are two alternatives such as by the dusty and uneven trail or with an elephants. Choosing walking through the trail have been a feeling like ones had participated themselves in the competition run as many tourists rush to greet for the sunset. Riding with an elephants certainly makes for a memorable journey. It is advisable to book in advance, as the rides are very popular with tour groups. If you are visiting Cambodia with a tight budget then you are advisable to go up by your own feet rather than elephants, as with elephants at least cost USD15 for one way.

Phnom Bakheng
Phnom Bakheng
En Route to Phnom Bakheng
En Route to Phnom Bakheng