Phnom Krom Hilltop Temple, Siem Reap is a hilltop temple in Angkor, Cambodia and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. Phnom Krom is the southernmost of three hilltop temples built in the Angkor region during the reign of Yasovarman. The other two are Phnom Bakheng and Phnom Bok. The temple was built at the end of the 9th century and during the reign of King Yasovarman. Climb the steep stairs and curved path through a modern temple complex at the top of the hill. The walk affords a fine view of the lake and surrounding area.
Phnom Krom Hilltop Temple, Siem Reap is located 12 kilometers southwest of Siem Reap and is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The name mean ‘lower hill’ and is a suggestion to its geographic location to its sister temples of Phnom Bakkheng and Phnom Bok.
Leaning toward the east, the Phnom Krom Hilltop Temple is enclosed by a wall built of laterite blocks. The gates of the temple bisect the walls at each of the four cardinal directions. Just inside the east gate are four small buildings arrayed in a north-south row, possibly formerly used as crematoria. The Phnom Krom Hilltop Temple’s focus is three towers, also in a row running north to south. The southern tower is dedicated to Brahma, the central to Shiva, the northern to Vishnu. The towers are built of sandstone. Much of their carving and detail has been lost to erosion.
The hill on which the Phnom Krom stands is very rocky. The local legend has it that the rocks were exposed by the monkey general Hanuman during a hunt for medicine in the Ramayana epic. The area beyond the temple’s west gate has a spectacular view of the Tonle Sap Lake. The fast boats coming from Phnom Penh dock near this place, but it is not possible to see the temple from beneath the hill. The visitors arriving by plane usually get an aerial glimpse of the temple just before landing.
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| Tourist Attractions in Siem Reap |
Phnom Krom Hilltop Temple
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The Great Lake Tonle Sap & Floating Fishing |
Phnom Koulen
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Civil War Museum
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Crocodile Farm, Siem Reap
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Angkor Borie, Siem Reap
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Angkor Wat, Siem Reap
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Angkor Zoo, Siem Reap
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Banteay Kdei, Siem Reap
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Banteay Sam Re Temple, Siem Reap
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Banteay Srey Rochna, Siem Reap
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Banteay Srey Temple, Siem Reap
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Baphuon, Siem Reap
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East Mebon, Siem Reap
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Baksei Chamkrong, Siem Reap
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