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: Ann Creevey, Picture by : Nathan Dexter. |
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Set in the
heart of Cambodia in the Tonle Sap Lake area, this
huge, landlocked province is abundant in fish stocks,
rice and timber.
Although at the halfway point in the journey between
Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, most travelers stop only
briefly at the provincial capital of Kampong Thom
with its sleepy boulevards and stately colonial
architecture nestled around the wide, brown waters
of the Tonle Sen.
The province contains eight districts, 81 communes
and 737 villages and is home to five per cent of
Cambodia's total population.
But besides its pleasantly relaxed atmosphere, the
province has much to offer the visitor. At Sambo
Prey Kuk, 179 ancient temples predating Angkor loom
out of the forest and, besides their haunting beauty,
they are acknowledged to be the most important structures
architecturally as a key to understanding Angkor.
The magic holy mountain of Phnom Santuk stands to
the south of town, and countless pagodas and natural
treasures such as forests and rivers give Kampong
Thom one of the most varied and beautiful countryside
of any of the Kingdom's provinces.
Hotels and inexpensive guesthouses are readily available
for those who wish to spend some time
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The magnificent Prasat
Tao (Lion Temple) at Sambo Prey Kuk, Kampong
Thom. There are at least 179 temples scattered
through the forest here.
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here, and the
road is good for most of the way to and from Phnom Penh,
which is just three and a half hours away from this timeless,
mysterious province.
Sambo Prey Kuk
Three groups of temples dating from as early as the sixth
century are scattered through the forest here.
Built of brick, they are still impressive architecturally
although most of the carvings and lintels have long since
gone.
But the most striking feature of the area around this
link between the ancient past and Angkor is the air of
peace surrounding the 179 structures discovered and cleared
of undergrowth so far, linked by winding dirt paths.
Sambo Prey Kuk is about 38 kilometers from the provincial
capital of Kampong Thom. The turnoff is off the main road
to Preah Vihear. Although it is a dirt road, it has been
improved as is passable by car and moto. |
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A Vihara at Phnom Santuk
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Phnom
Santuk
Nearly 1000 stairs wind their way up this mountain
to a beautiful hilltop pagoda about 12 kilometers
south of Kampong Thom Town. The turnoff is off the
main road to Phnom Penh and marked by a sign.
This mountain and the pagoda are famous throughout
Cambodia as a place of magic, where stones float
and a coconut thrown into a magic well will emerge
again in the Tonle Sap.
There is a rough and ready road to the top if you
want to avoid the stairs. This is barely navigable
by car or off road motorbike.
The pagoda itself is spread out into several areas
and shaded by trees.
Boulders around its perimeter have been carved with
images of the Buddha and another carving inside
represents Buddha's footprint.
This is a tranquil place and affords stunning views
over the surrounding countryside.
Wat Kampong Thom (Entry Saing Vorak Pagoda)
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Kampong Thom province
has too many stunning temples, both ancient and modern,
to mention them all, but Entry Saing Vorak Pagoda, or
Wat Kampong Thom as it is known locally, is probably the
one most travelers see.
Situated just across the river on the road from Kampong
Thom town to Siem Reap, the ornate twin towers of the
mohakodi (monastery) are some of the most impressive examples
in Cambodia.
Believed to have been originally built in the 17th century,
it was destroyed by the Khmer Rouge after 1975 and only
rebuilt around 1984.
There are more than 100 monks and novice monks housed
in the pagoda. The architecture and impressive statues
are worth viewing. |
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Koh Ker-Style
Lion Statue
Rearing up in the style typical of the lion statues
of the Koh Ker (Preah Vihear) period of architecture,
the lion statue now situated in the public park
on the banks of the Tonle Sen is a prime example
of 10th century Khmer art.
This statue came to Kampong Thom before 1962, when
Preah Vihear, where the Koh Ker temple complex is
located, was part of the province.
It was previously situated in front of the Office
of the Provincial Service of Culture and Fine Arts
building. The statue was made circa 922 AD and weighs
about one and a half tones with its pedestal. It
faces west, to scare away negative forces and with
the positive forces of the Tonle Sap
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The Mohakodi of Wat Kampong
Thom
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Lake and its associated
prosperity in abundant fish and forests at its back.
The lion is one of a pair. The other is in Guiume, France.
Prey Prah
A popular picnic spot with locals during the dry season,
this is a typical Khmer "beach" resort, perfect
for swimming and picnics, located beside the Prey Prah
River, about 15 kilometers from town.
The turnoff is from the road to Siem Reap. |
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Suite
B8, Regency Square, InterContinental Hotel, 294 Mao Tse Toung
Boulevard,
Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.
Tel: (855) 23 213 133 Fax: (855) 23 213 033
E-mail:
editor@leisurecambodia.com |
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