Cambodia

During your trip to Cambodia, one of the must-see sites is Phnom Chisor. From the top of the mountain, you will discover a magnificent view of the entire Takeo Province and its beautiful plains. You will also find the famous Brahman temple and other points of interest. Set out to discover Phnom Chisor and its treasures.

Visiting Phnom Chisor Mountain

The Mountain

Phnom Chisor is a hill reaching an altitude of 133 meters, located in the village of Sia, within the commune of Rovieng, Samraong district. It lies 42 kilometers from the capital Phnom Penh and 27 kilometers north of the town of Takeo in Cambodia.

The view and landscape from Phnom Chisor

Phnom Chisor is a popular site among tourists, especially during the various festivals held there. It offers a panoramic view over the beautiful Bassac rice fields stretching across Takeo Province. Visitors can also see Phnom Da to the south and the Angkor Borei temple. With the magnificent landscapes and the peacefulness of the region, visitors can relax while enjoying the open view and fresh air.

Advantages of the visit

Phnom Chisor is an ideal site for day trips. Upon reaching the summit, visitors can explore a famous temple built during the reign of Suryavarman I. Other activities are also possible in the area.

Many smiling and very welcoming vendors will greet you upon arrival at the foot of the mountain. They will be delighted to offer you a variety of local dishes and drinks in their small stalls.You will likely be offered grilled chicken, a local specialty highly appreciated by tourists, at very affordable prices.

Travelers often stop at the foot of the hill to regain strength before starting the hike to climb Phnom Chisor. Additionally, since the sun is strong in this part of the region, visitors often carry bottled coconut juice for the journey.

For the hike, many local guides offer their services to show you the interesting spots in the area.

A charming detail of the visit: the children — they will welcome you with smiles and may even recommend the best guide.

The Mountain Cave

During your visit to Phnom Chisor, you will have the opportunity to visit the Vimean Chan cave, located 150 meters south of the temple. It is a quiet place known for being a meditation center for Brahmans and ascetics. According to history, the site was bombed during the Vietnam–U.S. war. You can still see some rocks blocking the cave entrance.

Phnom Chisor Temple

The main attraction of Phnom Chisor Mountain is its famous temple at the summit.

It was built in the 11th century during the reign of King Suryavarman I, who introduced Brahmanism to the region. You will also find a Buddhist center established next to the temple. The Phnom Chisor pagoda was rebuilt in 1917, destroyed during the wars of the 1970s, and then reconstructed again in 1979.

Today, the temple is in poor condition, but it is still open to visitors, and some beautiful lintels that survived can still be admired. Originally, the temple’s name was Sri Suryaparvata, meaning "the mountain of the sun." The temple is dedicated to the deities Shiva and Vishnu.

At the foot of the hill, under the temple’s staircase, there is also a building known as Son Reveang, now used as a Buddhist worship site, beyond which you will find Tonle Om, the temple’s baray (reservoir).

Temple Description

Upon arriving at Phnom Chisor, you will first notice the large staircase leading up to the temple. It is said that this staircase points towards Angkor Wat. The entire temple was built with laterite and bricks. It measures 60 meters in length and 50 meters in width. It is surrounded by two galleries: the first, measuring 60 meters on each side; the second, smaller, located in the center. In this central gallery is the main worship site with two doors and a wooden statue. Additionally, the main hall houses Buddhist statues venerated by monks and pilgrims during worship. You will also find beautiful carvings on the lintels and pillars. The main icon of Son Reveang is a golden statue of Buddha with a seven-headed Naga Muchalinda.

As you continue the visit, you will also see an old concrete water reservoir. On the west side of the temple is a staircase with 390 steps, and on the south side, another staircase with 408 steps. A third staircase in front of the temple connects it to the Sen Chhmos and Sen Phouvang temples and to the Tonle Om lake, considered sacred by the Brahmans. This lake is used by pilgrims to wash away their sins. A large stone courtyard measuring about 100 meters long and 80 meters wide, along with several other temples, once surrounded the site. Today, only a few ruins of these temples remain.

How to get there

To reach Phnom Chisor Mountain, tourists can take a bus from Phnom Penh to Takeo. The bus fare is 4,000 riels, or about 1 USD per person. During the journey, simply inform the bus driver in advance so that he can drop you off at the junction with Highway No. 2. Upon arrival at the junction, you will need to take a motorbike taxi or a tuk-tuk to the mountain, for a price of about 1,500 riels.

Hours and entrance fees

You can visit Phnom Chisor throughout the day; ideally, it is recommended to dedicate a full day for the excursion.

The entrance fee to Phnom Chisor is 3 USD per person for foreigners.