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Cambodia's Most Amazing Hidden Ruins
Koh Ker
Description: Pyramid at the center of a 10-th century lost city deep in the jungle.
Location: Central Preah Vihear Province.
Preah Vihear
Description: The rival of Angkor, overlooking a cliff.
Location: North Preah Vihear Province.
Top Ten Hidden Ruins
Koh KerThe remote jungle pyramid of Koh Ker is unique in Cambodia. It forms the center of the lost city of Lingapuram, or Phallus City, the 10th century capital of the Khmer Empire. In Cambodia's Brahmanist tradition, the phallic linga, representative of the god Shiva, is a symbol of creation and life. At one point, a massive linga rose out of the top of the pyramid to a height of over 150 feet. The Linga mysteriously disappeared or was destroyed and the city was overtaken by the jungle. Spread over many miles, the city remains largely hidden by the jungle. Even from atop the impressive pyramid, only jungle can be seen in all directions. Koh Ker can be visited along with the other remote temples of Cambodia's North in a 2-5 day trip connecting Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. The trip involves some rough roads and passes through forests and villages. It can be done by car or motorbike. Preah Vihear
Located on the edge of a cliff at the Thai-Cambodia border, this magnificent temple stretches over a kilometer along a mountain top in northern Cambodia. Long considered the most magnificent temple in Cambodia after Angkor Wat, Preah Vihear's geographical location only enhances the wonder of visiting this amazing structure. Unfortunately, its location has also brought about nothing but trouble for the temple and the remote village at its base. During the 1980s and 90s, the temple was mounted with heavy artillery weapons to defend the mountain top which was considered a strategic location by the Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese. In the past decade, the temple has been the site of numerous border skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia. Despite unpleasant recent history, Preah Vihear is worth visiting for its exquisite art work, unique architecture and superb geographical location. Until recently, there was no road access to the temple from Cambodia. It could only be arrived at by foot along a small, landmined path winding up the mountain side. A road was finally built to the temple, but alas, recent border clashes with Thailand have made travel there unattractive. Check on the current border situation before going. Continue to Part 3.
Koh Ker Pyramid
Preah Vihear Temple
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| Copyright: Adventure-Cambodia, updated July 2013. | |
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