The central point of Cambodia
Situated in the central of Cambodia, Kompong Thom is a pleasant country town where visitors can have plenty of activities. The town is well situated as a crossroad to the important sights of Angkor temple complex, Prea Vihear Temple, and the ancient capital of Sombor Prey Kuk. The town has a nice layout and is situated on the banks of the Sen River, which is a long, winding body of water that originates in the Dangrek Mountains.With its 13,814km² populations of 642,932, comprising 310,150 males and 332,782 females. The percentage of female’s population is about 52. The province consists of 8 districts, 81 communes and 737 villages. The district of Stung Sen constitutes the urban portion of the province.
Sambo Preykuk Temples
Sambo Preykuk is a cultural and historical site located in Sambo village, Sambo commune, Prasat Sambo district, about 25 kilometers northeast o Kampong Thom provincial town. The site was once an old capital named Isanapura and a religious center for the worship of Shiva Brahmanism.
Many temple were built in Sambo Preykuk during the reign of King Isanavarman I (AD 616-635) in the 7th century, The temple o Sambo Prykuk constructed of solid brick, laterite and sandstone and decorated by bas-reliefs. The lintel, pillars and the door frames are all made of sandstone. So far, 140 temples have been discovered in the forest. Sambo Preykuk temples are divided into four main groups:
The Central Temple
The central temple is called Tor1temple, or the lion temple. There are sealed doors on three sides and a real door that opened on the north side. On each side is a set of stairs between two statues of kneeling lions. There are a number of small temples west of lion temple. The lion temple was built in 9th century.
The Northern Temple
The northern temples are called mid-Sabo temples and are surrounded by many small temples.
The Southern Temple
The southern temples are called Yeay Poan temples, They, too, are surrounded by many temples. There are ramparts, which the inner rampart has four gopuras2 on each side. This site was a former capital.
Kraol Romeas Temples
Kraol Romeas temples are about 2 kilometers north or Sambo Preykuk. All were built or brick, except the temple to the west, which made of laterite. To conserve the temples, three areas are designated as protected sites for the purpose o conserving the temples. They are marked as follows:
First Area: the first area covers 30 meters outside the rampart.
Second Area: the second area covers 300 meters outside the first area.
Third Area: the third area covers 1,500 meters outside the second area.
Kuhak Norkor
Kuhak Norkor is located in Trodork village, Pongro commune, Baray district, about 96 kilometers from Phnom Penh. The site covers 200 square meters, Kuhak Norkor temple is located on the grounds of Kuhak Norkor pagoda. The temple is 45 meters long and 35 meters wide, similar to Tonle Bati temple.
Constructed of sandstone in the 11th century, during the reign o King Suryavarman I, it is surrounded a 3-meter high sandstone rampart. The temple is divided into three parts–the first part is a meters high, the second is 12 meters high, and the third is 15 meters high.
Phnom Santuk
Phnom Santuk is a cultural and natural site located in Ko koh village, Ko Koh commune, Santuk district, about 17 kilometers south of Kampong Thom provincial town. These site include four mountains: Phnom Srah Kmao or Phnom Tbeng, Phnom Penchu or Phnom Kraper, Phnom Champa and Phnom Santuk.
On the top of the 180-meter high mountain, is a pagoda known as Wat Kirichaomchong Phnom Santuk. The pagoda gate at the roof of the mountain is very beautiful. This pagoda itself is reached by climbing an 809-step staircase that features a long concrete hand rail in the shape of Prohm carrying naga, which was constructed in 1996. Along the staircases, there are many big threes and large stones. Though a long hike, there are four points of interest on the climb the mountaintop:
- At 230th step, there is an access to a rock valley and a well.
- At 455th step. there is a resting hall to the left, which has a Buddha statue.
- At 620th step, there are large rocks and threes to offer shade or weary climbers.
- At 694th step, there are a number of huge rocks at the right known as Chanre. Between the rocks is a slit about 5 centimeters wide, 3 meters long and 6 meters deep.
To reach the pagoda, visitors can take either the old or new staircase from Chanre spot. The main temple of the pagoda covers from 16 square meters. North of the pagoda, there is a worship hall that covers 144 square meters. Made o concrete, it has a ceramic a tile floor and a red tile roof. Behind the pagoda, there is a Chinese temple that faces east. it house a Bodhisattva Guan Yin3 statue.
Behind the temple, there are five statues of the reclining Buddha reaching nirvana and 99 smaller statues. In front of the temple, there are many other statues, including Preah Bat Chaon Tuk, The Buddha’s footprints, Chan Re’s Mother’s Breast statues, and Chhat Ruot, a multilayered umbrella. Nearby is a statues of Eysei Akinet, where local people often worship.
Next to Phnom Santuk is another mountain, Phnom Srah Khmao, which has an old brick temple and a bat cave on the mountaintop, where everyday, between 5 and 6 p.m thousands of bats fly from and into the countryside.
Prey Pros
Prey Pros is a semi natural and natural site in Prey Preal village, Prey Preal commune. Kampong Svay district, about 16 kilometers northwest of Kampong Thom Provincial town. The site encompasses 2 million square meters and includes a river that is 4,000 meters long and 30 meters wide. It is rich in Domrei fish4.
The site is a venue for foot races, bicycle races and other games during national festivals. In addition, the provincial tourist office has organized other activities such as boat rides, fishing and swimming, and has erected resting cottages, where foot and drink are or sale. The view from Prey Pros is beautiful and enchanting, while the wind that blows across the river will cool and refresh hot, tired tourists.
Wat Prasat
Wat Prasat is located in Prasat village, Prasat commune, Santuk district, about 135 kilometers from Phnom Penh or 31 kilometers southeast Kampong Thom provincial town. At one time, there were seven ancient temple at Wat Prasat but today, only one is still standing. It is located behind the recently built temple.
Constructed of the brick in the 7th century, Wat Prasat temple is 3 meters square in diameter. On the temple doorframe is a flower wreath similar to the one at Sambo Prey Kuk temple. in the temple, setting it apart from other temple.
Wat Kampong Thom
Wat Kampong Thom, also known as Wat Inndrisamavora, is located in Kdel village, Preykahu commune, Stung Sen district, about 1 kilometers from the provincial town. This old temple is a holy place that covers 2,053 square meters. Statues related to the Buddha story can be found in the pagoda. The pagoda fences are painted in many different to relax, especially during festivals.
Wat Kdei Deum
Wat Kdei Deum is located in Prasat village, Sanko commune, Kampong Svay district, about 127 kilometers northwest of Kampong provincial town. A holy place, the site feature two ponds and includes an old temple similar in style to Banteay Srei temple in Siem Reap.
Wat Prasat Andet
Wat Prasat Andet is located in Prasat village, Sanko commune, Kampong Svay district, about 27 kilometers northwest of Kampong Provincial town. Wat Prasat Andet includes an ancient brick temple constructed in 6th and 7th centuries during the reign Isanavarman I, dedicating to Brahmanism. The grounds at Wat Prasat Andet are spacious and abundant in koki trees. In addition, the grounds have never been flooded.
