Sambor Prei Kuk Temple, Cambodia – Guardian Lions, Flying Palaces and UNESCO Status. Copyright © 2022 Terence Carter / Grantourismo. All Rights Reserved.

Sambor Prei Kuk Temple in Cambodia for Guardian Lions and Flying Palaces

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Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex in bucolic Kompong Thom province was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2017. Set amidst towering forest and shaded by lofty trees, the unique late 6th century temple city is one of Cambodia’s oldest temples, one of its least visited and one of its most atmospheric. It makes a rewarding day trip from Siem Reap but an overnight stay in Kompong Thom is even better.

Located around 170kms from Cambodia’s northern city of Siem Reap, departure point for Angkor Wat, Sambor Prei Kuk – which means “the temple in the richness of the forest” in Khmer – is a sprawling complex of one hundred temples scattered over nearly 1,400 hectares of forest, rice paddies and marshlands on the west bank of the Steung Sen or Sen River in rural Kompong Thom.

One of Cambodia’s more remote archaeological sites, Sambor Prei Kuk sees nowhere near the numbers of the least visited temples in Angkor Archaeological Park near Siem Reap. When we last visited Sambor Prei Kuk, our guide told us that on some days there were as few as a dozen tourists, on other days there were none at all.

While we thought that was all set to change back in July 2017, when Sambor Prei Kuk became the third archaeological site in Cambodia to receive UNESCO World Heritage listing after Preah Vihear (recognised in 2008) and Angkor Wat (listed in 1992), it didn’t. The stunning temple site still remains one of Cambodia’s lesser visited archaeological complexes. More reasons to add it to your itinerary below.

Published 8 August 2017; Updated 17 February 2024.

Sambor Prei Kuk, Cambodia – A City of Guardian Lions and Flying Palaces

A two and half hour drive by car from Siem Reap, Sambor Prei Kuk is considered to be one of Cambodia’s more remote archaeological sites, requiring a day trip or an overnight excursion to experience the site properly, as well as to take in the bucolic countryside and villages.

Sambor Prei Kuk is one of our favourite Cambodian archaeological sites, as much for its unique architecture and intriguing details, as the opportunity to visit laidback Kampong Thom, the provincial capital.

We only visited Sambor Prei Kuk for the first time early last year when we were researching and shooting some archaeological stories. Strolling through the leafy forest – which would be lovely to explore on bicycle – I was regretting not having experienced this little-visited temple complex earlier.

Seeing Sambor Prei Kuk helped to better appreciate the long, rich history of this country that we now know as Cambodia and the period that came before Angkor, the era that captivates most people’s imaginations as they explore Angkor Archaeological Park near Siem Reap.

If you listen only to your guide’s commentary as you scramble the temples of Angkor, you would think that there was nothing before King Jayavarman II declared himself universal ruler on Phnom Kulen in 802AD, marking the beginning of the Angkor Empire.

However, before Angkor came the kingdoms of Champa (once part of Cambodia but now located in what we know as Vietnam), Funan, and Zhenla or Chenla. Sambor Prei Kuk, known as Ishanapura, was the capital of the Chenla Empire.

Influenced by India, built by King Isanavarman I, and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, Ishanapura was a royal city and centre of power for some four kings, remaining important during the Angkor Empire, especially in the 10th century, and once again in the later years of the Angkor era.

While Ishanapura only flourished from the late 6th through to the early 7th centuries AD, during its time evidence – including inscriptions, statues, artefacts, and other relics found at Sambor Prei Kuk – suggests it was a cosmopolitan trading city with traders arriving from as far away as Europe.

There was a walled city centre and unique octagonal shrines, of which ten remain. Built of brick, their exterior walls and door frames are decorated with magical carvings of ‘flying palaces’ while you’ll also see lintels and pedestals featuring unique motifs and patterns you won’t see at Angkor. Within the shrines are replicas of elegant statues, including Duruga, consort to Shiva.

I was particularly smitten with the splendid statues of lions with their intricately carves manes, which you’ll find guarding Prasat Tao in the central group of temples. Another small shrine in the southern group by the central sanctuary dedicated to Shiva, which was decorated with tiny figures and faces that appeared to be very European looking – perhaps Greek – while others looked Persian, and yet others perhaps Southern Indian.

For those who prefer their temples without crowds or are curious about Cambodia’s fascinating pre-Angkor era history, Sambor Prei Kuk is a must but we suggest you experience it sooner rather than later. Ticking off UNESCO World Heritage sites is a passion of many travellers.

Guide to Sambor Prei Kuk and Kompong Thom

Here’s our guide to Sambor Prei Kuk and Kampong temple, how to get to Sambor Prei Kuk and where to stay and eat in Sambor Prei Kuk.

How to Get to Sambor Prei Kuk Temple

The nearest town to the temple complex is Kompong Thom, which is on National Highway 6 (NH6), which connects Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. We recommend hiring a driver with car. From Siem Reap, Mr Sophen (069 606 306) can take you the 2.5-hour drive in his lovely clean Lexus for US$80 if you return the same day or US$100 return if you stay overnight, and if he can’t drive you he’ll find you another excellent driver.

From Phnom Penh, try Mr Lucky (093 373 707) who can do the 4-hour drive in his comfortable vehicles (he has several, 4WDs and vans) for US$100 to return the same day or US$130 if you stay overnight. Both drivers provide cold water and cold face towels. You can also do a tour or take a public bus to Kompong Thom.

You can hire an archaeological guide outside the main entrance to Sambor Prei Kuk temple, or if you’re concerned you might miss out, ask your hotel to book a temple guide in advance for you.

Where to Stay near Sambor Prei Kuk Temple

Located on the riverside in Kompong Thom, Sambor Village Hotel is the most charming hotel in town. The lovely accommodations consist of spacious bungalows set within lush leafy tropical gardens. There’s a serene swimming pool and a good restaurant serving a mix of Cambodian and European dishes in a traditional Cambodian timber house overlooking the gardens and pool. Hotel staff are helpful and it’s just a short stroll to the market.

What to Eat near Sambor Prei Kuk Temple

You’ll find a wonderful evening market in Kompong Thom where we recommend going for a stroll, as much to take in the atmosphere, as to buy street food snacks and picnic supplies for your temple excursions if you’re staying a night or two. There are also stalls at the tourist complex near the ticket gate which sell noodle soups, fried rice and fresh coconuts.

What to Read about Sambor Prei Kuk Temple

Drop in to the Tourism Service Office on the way to the site to see if they have the booklet titled ‘The Sambor Prei Kuk Conservation Project’. Otherwise, Michel Petrotchenko’s excellent Focusing on the Angkor Temples: The Guidebook has a couple of pages on Sambor Prei Kuk and has been recently updated.

Cambodian Archaeological sites on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Other archaeological sites in Cambodia that are on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List and likely to be considered for nomination in the future include: Banteay Chhmar, Banteay Prei Nokor, Beng Mealea, Preah Khan de Kompong SvayAngkor Borei and Phnom Da, Oudong,and Phnom Kulen.

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AUTHOR BIO

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A travel and food writer who has experienced over 70 countries and written for The Guardian, Australian Gourmet Traveller, Feast, Delicious, National Geographic Traveller, Conde Nast Traveller, Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia, DestinAsian, TIME, CNN, The Independent, The Telegraph, Sunday Times Travel Magazine, AFAR, Wanderlust, International Traveller, Get Lost, Four Seasons Magazine, Fah Thai, Sawasdee, and more, as well as authored more than 40 guidebooks for Lonely Planet, DK, Footprint, Rough Guides, Fodors, Thomas Cook, and AA Guides.

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