The sanctuary's design features 15 doorways aligned so the sun shines through all of them four times a year during sunrise.
It was constructed during the reign of King Suryavarman II, the same monarch who commissioned Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
The temple was converted from a Hindu site to a Buddhist one in later centuries, evidenced by the addition of Buddhist-style footprints.
The reclining Shiva lintel was once stolen and smuggled to the United States before being repatriated to Thailand in 1988 following international public pressure.
The temple complex is located on the rim of a crater that has been dormant for over 900,000 years.
Phanom Rung Historical Park is a restored 10th-to-13th-century Khmer temple complex built from pink sandstone and laterite atop a dormant volcano. The site serves as a Hindu monument dedicated to Shiva, oriented to align with the sun's position. Visitors approach the sanctuary via a grand processional walkway lined with boundary stones. The central tower features intricate carvings, including the famous reclining Shiva lintel. Its location on a 383-meter-high volcanic hill provides elevated views of the surrounding Buri Ram province. Restoration work by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand has reconstructed collapsed sections using anastylosis. The park is part of the Phanom Rung-Muang Tam-Pimai historical corridor.
The view through the long series of doorways from the eastern entrance provides the iconic 'alignment' shot.
Bring a hat and sunscreen as there is minimal shade on the exposed stone terraces.
Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear for navigating steep, uneven ancient stone staircases.
Visit during the early morning to avoid peak heat and large crowds.
Avoid touching or climbing on delicate carvings; do not attempt to bypass cordoned-off restoration areas.
Dress modestly by covering shoulders and knees out of respect for the sacred site; remove hats inside the sanctuary buildings.
