Exploring Phnom Chiso, an ancient Temple in Takeo Province Early Morning: Start your day early to beat the heat and crowds. Head to Phnom Chiso, which is about a 2-hour drive from Phnom Penh.
Arrival: Upon arrival, begin your visit with a climb up the hill to Phnom Chiso temple complex. It’s a bit of a hike, but the views from the top are worth it. Explore the Temple Complex: Spend time exploring the ancient temples and ruins at the summit.
Admire the intricate carvings and architecture, and learn about the history of the site. Lunch: After descending from the hill, enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the designated areas nearby. Alternatively, you can find local eateries in the surrounding area to try some traditional Cambodian cuisine.
A temple from the Angkorian era, Phnom Chisor is set upon a solitary hill in Takeo Province, offering panoramic views of the countryside.
Try to get to Phnom Chisor early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as it is an uncomfortable climb in the heat of the midday sun. Phnom Chisor lies about 65 km from Phnom Penh.
The main temple stands on the eastern side of the hilltop. Constructed of laterite and brick with carved lintels of sandstone, the complex is surrounded by the partially ruined walls of the 2.5m-wide gallery with windows.
Inscriptions found here date from the 11th century, when this site was known as Suryagiri. The wooden doors to the sanctuary in the center of the complex, which open to the east, are decorated with carvings of figures standing on pigs. Inside the sanctuary are statues of Buddha.
On the plain to the east of Phnom Chisor are the sanctuaries of Sen Thmol, just below Phnom Chisor, Sen Ravang and the former sacred pond of Tonle Om.
