Phnom Krom combines a hill, a temple and a wide view over the landscape south of Siem Reap. The APSARA National Authority places the site on a natural hill about 140 metres high and roughly 12 kilometres from the city, near the banks of Tonle Sap. Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism identifies the temple in Chong Kneas commune. The name is often understood as “downstream hill,” distinguishing it from other Angkorian hills. Unlike the central monuments of Angkor Thom, Phnom Krom sits apart from the dense core and makes the surrounding countryside part of the visit.
The temple was built under King Yasovarman I, whose reign is dated from 889 to 910, in the late ninth or early tenth century. APSARA describes it as a Hindu sanctuary dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Its position on a natural rise gives the complex a monumental presence, but it should not be confused with a modern lookout built only for scenery. The sacred architecture and the view are linked: the hill elevates the temple above the plain and provides a broad vantage point toward the lake, fields and distant city.
