My journey into a jungle to Preah Khan, a temple dedicated to King Jayavarman VII. From Phnom Penh to Tbeng Mean Chey, provincial captial of Preah Vihear province.
Leaving the Cambodian capital city, I visited, for the first time, some of the most mysterious ancient temples, built in the pre-Angkorian period in Preah Vihear province. Geographically this temple is located in the northeast of Angkor Thom.
Taken with traditional film camera, SRL Nikon F75.
A Cambodian girl living nearby Preah Khan temple. She has just picked up some vegetable to cook for dinner. That said, amazingly friendly people!
Newly paved road from Phnom Penh to Preah Vihear province.
The temple is completely lost in the jungle.
Road to Preah Khan temple, in Preah Vihear province.
How did we get there? Ox-cart trail!
The main entrance of the temple.
They Chanto, one of the most sophisticated men of Cambodian arts and history.
Tags: Preah Vihear
If m not mistaken there is also a temple named Preah Khan in SR. Now u mention another one in Preah Vihear… It means there are two Preah Khan temples then???
i enjoyed the photos ThaRum, the trail to preah khan has certainly improved since my visit in Jan 2003, which you can read about, with photos, at Http://andybrouwer.co.uk/preahk.html
safe travels…and yes Sopha, there are two major temples called Preah Khan.
AndyB.
ThaRum, thanks a lot for this report, it brings back happy memories of previous trips there. It is also my impression that roads in and around Preah Vihear have greatly improved recently.
I went by motorbike but next time, I go by oxcart, too.
http://cambodia.mellenthin.de/archives/2004/01/05/entry00117/
Stefan
That was nice. I am so impressed, bro. I just found that this Preah Khan is a different temple from the one in SR. I’m also very upset to hear that this lovely temple was recently ransacked for its carvings.
Prea Vihea has always been one place that I’ve determined to go visit next time I’m around.
Nice pictures, Tharum. In my 6 years stay here I have never been to Preah Vihear. It’s been my desire to see the temples in the near future. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
>> Sopha, I am sure about it. I visited with a man of Cambodian art history, and of course a guide book.
>> I am glad to know that, Andy. I think so, the road is much better.
>> It was a bit adventurous. Do you think so? Taking the oxcart-trail made the trip exciting, especially when we know that there is a great temple inside the jungle to visit.
>> It is all over. The temple is still there waiting for local and international visitors.
>> As of this year I am told getting there is easier than in previous years.
>> You should get there at least once. I feel Preah Vihear province will be a new Siem Reap in the future.
Prasat Preah Khan is in front of Prasat Bayon in Siem Reap. Just take a walk from there and you will see Prasat Preah Khan and Prasat Baphuon.
[...] It was one of the most exciting trips ever taken. Taking a bus with a group of nearly 30 people, we left Phnom Penh to Tbeng Mean Chey of Preah Vihear province, but before reaching the provincial capital we took an adventurous road to visit Preah Khan temple. After staying a night in Tbeng Mean Chey, just after dawn we headed to Prasat Preah Vihear, a great pre-Angkorian era. The temple-mountain complex runs 800m along a north-south axis, which sits on the clifftop at the southern end of the complex (approximately 120m above the northern end of the complex and 525m above the Cambodian plain). To get to the rooftop of the moutain, some of us got moto taxi, the others took pick-up truck. At first a small of group of mine thought of walking up. It takes about two hours. But as the pick-up truck driver approached to fill in his cab by offering discount price, we accepted. And so we had more time to explore the ancient architecture. [...]
[...] Preah Vihear province - my mentor They Chanto having lunch on Dangrek mountain, at Preah Vihear temple. We couldn’t find a tour guide, so my Lonely Planet was somewhat useful in a long trip from Preah Khan to Preah Vihear and to Koh Ker. [...]