The 'River of a Thousand Lingas' is submerged to purify the water as it flows over sacred carvings before reaching the Siem Reap plains.
The reclining Buddha at Preah Ang Thom was carved in the 16th century, long after the Angkorian era.
The mountain plateau was a major sandstone quarry for the construction of the Angkor temple complex.
In 2012, researchers used LiDAR technology to map an extensive, previously hidden urban landscape spanning the plateau.
The waterfall was a filming location for the 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
It is considered a pilgrimage site for Khmer people who gather here for religious ceremonies and traditional festivals.
The park covers an area of approximately 375 square kilometers.
Phnom Kulen is a sacred mountain plateau in Cambodia, historically recognized as the birthplace of the Khmer Empire. The park encompasses the archaeological site of Mahendraparvata, where King Jayavarman II proclaimed independence in 802 AD. The site features the River of a Thousand Lingas, which contains carvings of Hindu phallic symbols carved directly into the riverbed. A prominent two-tiered waterfall serves as a central focal point for visitors and locals. The landscape is dense jungle, protecting rare biodiversity and ancient forest ecosystems. Several remote temples, including Preah Ang Thom, house a massive reclining Buddha statue carved into a sandstone boulder. The plateau serves as a critical watershed for the Siem Reap region, feeding the water systems of Angkor. Access to the mountain is controlled via a regulated road system due to the steep terrain.
The upper viewing platform overlooking the two-tiered waterfall provides the most complete perspective.
Start your visit early to reach the plateau before the main tourist convoys from Siem Reap.
Bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to swim in the lower waterfall pool.
Wear hiking-appropriate footwear as the areas surrounding the river and temple steps can be slippery.
Avoid relying on local taxis that are not authorized to traverse the steep mountain road; hire specialized transport.
Access to the mountain road is one-way only; traffic direction reverses at midday to manage congestion.
Dress modestly by covering shoulders and knees when visiting temples; remove footwear before entering the Preah Ang Thom sanctuary.
