Shophouseonline

This remote site was not accessible when I first went to Cambodia because it had been a hideout for the Khmer Rouge who placed landmines all around it. The French and Japanese have funded bomb disposal teams to clear the place and it is now safe to visit. It is over 2 and a half hours by car from Siem Reap (100 km) and there were very few visitors when I went (and happily, no tour buses)

Records do not provide a full explanation as to why this new city was established in 928 AD after the royal city at Angkor had been started. Possibly it was a rival capital to Angkor. In any case, a huge reservoir was built and there were 30 major structures and 100 minor ones in the area so it was a flourishing royal city. In 944 AD it was abandoned and eventually ended in ruins. The main feature is the 7 tier pyramid (Prasat Thom) but I also liked the temples devoted to elephants and the three linga shrines, two of which are in reasonable condition. Because most of the city is in ruins, this may be a site of most interest to the enthusiast ; it does not have the fine carvings and intact buildings of Angkor Wat. To my mind, the lovely forest surrounding the city and the evocative ruins themselves made it well worth the journey.

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