[Siem Reap, Cambodia] Phnom Kulen National Park [Tourism]

#sightseeing ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ 📍 Phnom Kulen National Park (ឧទ្យានជាតិភ្នំគូលែន) ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ A national park on the outskirts of Siem Reap. It is about 60km northeast of Siem Reap, and takes about an hour and a half by car. In addition to the impressive Kulen Waterfall, there are many other attractions, such as Preah Ang Thom Temple, where you can see Cambodia's oldest ruins, a thousand lingas, and a reclining Buddha! It is said that there are more than 50 ruins and stone statues in the park, and the stones quarried here were also used in the construction of Angkor Wat. ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ Phnom Kulen literally means "Lychee Hill," but in Cambodia it is an object of worship as a "Holy Mountain." Phnom Kulen is considered the birthplace of Cambodia, as it was here in 802 that King Jayavarman II declared independence from Jaya. In Hinduism, which had a major influence on Khmer culture, it is said that "sacred places are mountains at the center of the world," and there is a theory that Phnom Kulen, which has a similar topography, was worshiped as a sacred place. ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ 📍Kulen Waterfall This is the highlight of Phnom Kulen tourism. There are two waterfalls, one large and one small, and the larger one is about 20m high and very impressive. Locals often come here to cool off, and it's surprising to see both adults and children swimming in the pool! ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ 📍Thousand Lingas Constructed in the 8th century, this is one of the oldest ruins in Siem Reap. Symbols of the god Vishnu, called lingas, and sculptures of the god Brahma are carved into the river. The water that flows over these sculptures becomes "holy water" and is believed to bring good fortune. ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ You can get to the base of Phnom Kulen by tuk-tuk, but the mountain road is steep, so from halfway you can only enter by car. It would be difficult to arrange this on your own, so we recommend joining a tour! ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ 〖🇰🇭Travel Record〗 ✎Area: Siem Reap (Cambodia) ✎Visit Date: November 2023 ✎Purpose: Travel #Cambodia #Siem Reap #Angkor Wat #Cambodia Travel #World Heritage Site #Sightseeing #Tour #Phnom Kulen #Phnom Kulen #Kulen Waterfall