Phnom Chisor
Phnom Chisor
4
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
There is an ancient Khmer temple located on top of the hill. The temple was built in the 11th century of laterite and bricks with carved sandstone lintels by the Khmer Empire king Suryavarman I, who practiced Brahmanism. It was dedicated to the Hindu divinities Shiva and Vishnu. The original name of the temple was Sri Suryaparvata, "The mountain of Surya".
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.0
208 reviews
Excellent
84
Very good
86
Average
28
Poor
8
Terrible
2
nessa_11
Singapore, Singapore83 contributions
Dec 2013 • Solo
Visited in late December of 2013.
Entrance fee is just USD 2.00.
Soak in the complete peace and tranquility of this rather private and very beautiful temple ruins erected atop a small hill. Though small by comparison to her peers, Phnom Chisor is stunning. You can enter the shrine to receive a blessing if you want (remove shoes). Don't miss the panoramic view of the plains spread out below this temple to the east. In and around the compound of the temples, you will also see monks and faithful caretakers which is quite humbly romantic. Phnom Chisor is a treat from the buzz and unrelenting noise of the overwhelming Phnom Penh street traffic (>1 hour by motorbike).
As we descended the concrete steps from the temple, the local hawkers had their stalls (complete with mats and hammocks, Cambodian-style) all setup and ready to serve lunch. We decided to tuck into a sumptuous local lunch of a lean free-range chicken (can't order 1/2 chicken; they only sell wholes) - 1/2 of the chix was deep-fried while the other was made into a tasty light and lemon-grassy soup. Costs USD 7.00 and includes a big pot of rice and an interesting peppery dip for the fried chicken. Does not include drinks.
PS: Be advised that this is essentially a village area with no running water. The water that these hawkers use for cooking come from the mega giant ceramic jars at the back of their stalls. Was curious and looked inside two of these jars, and to my horror water looked rather murky. But I was fine after - no diarrheoa or even the mildest tummyache.
Just fyi, I got here with the help of an awesome guide named Sopheak (So). So is a honest, hardworking, and staunchly patriotic Cambodian. He charged me a really good price for a full-day coverage of Phnom Chisor, The Killing Fields, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. If you would like to get in touch with him, do drop me a message and I'll provide his contact info (am not allowed to post it here).
Entrance fee is just USD 2.00.
Soak in the complete peace and tranquility of this rather private and very beautiful temple ruins erected atop a small hill. Though small by comparison to her peers, Phnom Chisor is stunning. You can enter the shrine to receive a blessing if you want (remove shoes). Don't miss the panoramic view of the plains spread out below this temple to the east. In and around the compound of the temples, you will also see monks and faithful caretakers which is quite humbly romantic. Phnom Chisor is a treat from the buzz and unrelenting noise of the overwhelming Phnom Penh street traffic (>1 hour by motorbike).
As we descended the concrete steps from the temple, the local hawkers had their stalls (complete with mats and hammocks, Cambodian-style) all setup and ready to serve lunch. We decided to tuck into a sumptuous local lunch of a lean free-range chicken (can't order 1/2 chicken; they only sell wholes) - 1/2 of the chix was deep-fried while the other was made into a tasty light and lemon-grassy soup. Costs USD 7.00 and includes a big pot of rice and an interesting peppery dip for the fried chicken. Does not include drinks.
PS: Be advised that this is essentially a village area with no running water. The water that these hawkers use for cooking come from the mega giant ceramic jars at the back of their stalls. Was curious and looked inside two of these jars, and to my horror water looked rather murky. But I was fine after - no diarrheoa or even the mildest tummyache.
Just fyi, I got here with the help of an awesome guide named Sopheak (So). So is a honest, hardworking, and staunchly patriotic Cambodian. He charged me a really good price for a full-day coverage of Phnom Chisor, The Killing Fields, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. If you would like to get in touch with him, do drop me a message and I'll provide his contact info (am not allowed to post it here).
Written 12 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JBmorg
Stockholm, Sweden11 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
The first thing that any Indian would notice about the Phnom Chisor Temple in Phnom Penh is the striking resemblance to the sun temple in Konark, in the Eastern Indian state of Orissa. The other resemblance is the steps that are similar to the Chamundi Hills in Mysore, India. On a study of the history of the place it is easy to see why you are reminded of the sun temple. The temple was built by Suryavarman I of the Khmer Empire. Surya is the sun in many Indian languages. In fact, the original name is Suryaparvata, which means the hill of the sun. The temple is built with sandstones mainly. Two other interesting places in the temple complex are the lake where devotees could wash away their sins by taking a dip, and a mountain cave where devotees could retire to meditate in peace and harmony.
Written 12 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,534 contributions
Jun 2012 • Couples
Phnom Chisor is the probably one of the best Angkorian temples in Cambodia, except for those in the area of Siem Reap Itself. It was damaged by US Bombs during the Vietnam War and a tin roof still covers the main shrine. Despite the war damage and blackened bricks, this is still an amazing shrine. The lintels are very crisp, despite being almost a thousand years old, and there are wonderful Vishnuite carvings throughout the complex. The atmospheric main shrine houses an Angkor era statue of Vishnu which has somehow managed to avoid being pilfered by art thieves. From his hilltop shrine, Vishnu the Preserver still presides over the watery fields of Takeo, an area which was arguably the cradle of Khmer civilization.
On a practical note, the complex costs two dollars to enter for foreigners and the four hundred steps to the top were too much for at least one visitor during our stay.
On a practical note, the complex costs two dollars to enter for foreigners and the four hundred steps to the top were too much for at least one visitor during our stay.
Written 1 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pauline B
Perth, Australia75 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
What used to be a place of natural beauty and serenity - shaded by trees and green - is now a concreted monstrosity. And word of warning - it used to be free - but no more. And you don't know this until you reach the top - for Temple entry. But even if you just want to look around - you cannot. You are told to leave. So don't bother even arriving.
Written 8 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan H
Cairns, Australia1,674 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
Phnom Chisor is a 11th century temple located on the summit of a hill, overlooking the Cambodian countryside. You will then need to climb around 400 stairs to get to the structures at the top. At the top you will pass a few stalls before entering the main hilltop area. Around this area are a few structures like a stupa with ceremonial pools, a shrine at the top of another small set of stairs (under construction at time of writing). However, the main attraction is Phnom Chisor which is a small temple very similar in age and appearance to the temples of Angkor (although much smaller). Go through this temple and you will be greeted with stunning views of the cambodian countryside. This hill is essentially the only hill in your vision. You can climb (need to be athletic) down the front steps of the temple and go along a dirt road to another 2 lots of temple ruins.
COST
A man will find his way to you and charge you 3US and give you a ticket. However, there is no official 'ticket store' so make sure he is a properly qualified person and not a scammer.
TRANSPORT
It is 65km from Phnom Penh in Takeo province. The first 60km is on national highway 2 while the last 5km (signpost on the highway) passes through a very bumpy dirt road through some villages until you reach the bottom of the mountain. Off this same highway are other outlying tourist attractions like Phnom Tamao Zoo (around 40km down the highway) and Tonle Bati lake. I would recommend combining this trip with the Zoo (well reviewed on TA) and making it into a whole day trip. Tonle Bati is literally just a lake which has a small temple on it and has largely negative reviews on TA (not recommended).
Although most Tuk Tuk drivers have it listed on their trip lists it is very hard going for a tuk tuk. It will cost you 30-35US for a round trip (depending on your bargaining skills) and will take around 3 hours each way! The last 5km along the dirt road is very bumpy. Having completed the trip in a tuk-tuk I wouldn't recommend it to others. However it is not the end of the world if you can't organize a car as the countryside you drive through is very picturesque. If you do go by Tuk-Tuk, ladies wear a good bra and everyone onboard should buy a cheap pair of Ray Beans as the dirt gets off the road and into your eyes.
According to lonely planet you can take a bus here for 8500r. Just get on a bus going to Takeo and jump off at the signposted turn off. Get a motorbike down the dirt road to the temple.
Apparently the trip takes 40 minutes to 1 hour via car but I am unsure of the cost (sorry). This would be the optimal mode of transport and I would recommend it.
PROS
- In all honesty the temple was very similar to those of Angkor. The only beauty of it was that we were the only tourists there and so were able to take heaps of beautiful pictures with no one else in the shot.
- THE VIEW! THE VIEW! THE VIEW! It was simply stunning. I have attempted to upload some pictures to display this but it was one of the best views I have seen in my life. The whole 60km drive we didn't see any mountains except this one so when you are at the top you are just looking out onto flat area (mainly rice fields). It makes for some beautiful viewing and beautiful photo's.
- You can combine this with a tour of the Zoo which is definitely worth the trip
- Passing through the villages that line the dirt road on the way to the temple is nice. The children all wave and smile. It's nice to see village life which isn't on display for the tourists like the other human zoo's around the place.
CONS
- The drive is very long and very painful if you do it by tuk-tuk. It is also fairly expensive (we paid 35US for a round trip which included the zoo). Worth looking into getting a car. However, the countryside that you pass through if nice so if you are into nostalgia it isn't all that bad. Wear glasses and a good bra.
- You have to have a reasonable level of fitness to climb the stairs.
- One of the other places at the top of the hill was under construction but it didn't look all that spectacular anyway.
- Phnom Chisor is very similar to the structures you see at the temples of angkor. I wouldn't have gone to it if it wasn't on top of this hill with the incredible view.
CONCLUSION
I would definitely recommend this to others but you need to take certain things into consideration namely; appropriate transportation (car unless you are feeling adventurous) and doing it in combination with another outlying attraction (preferably the Zoo). We did it in combination with the Zoo via tuk-tuk and it was one of the best days we had on our 1 month trip of SE asia.
COST
A man will find his way to you and charge you 3US and give you a ticket. However, there is no official 'ticket store' so make sure he is a properly qualified person and not a scammer.
TRANSPORT
It is 65km from Phnom Penh in Takeo province. The first 60km is on national highway 2 while the last 5km (signpost on the highway) passes through a very bumpy dirt road through some villages until you reach the bottom of the mountain. Off this same highway are other outlying tourist attractions like Phnom Tamao Zoo (around 40km down the highway) and Tonle Bati lake. I would recommend combining this trip with the Zoo (well reviewed on TA) and making it into a whole day trip. Tonle Bati is literally just a lake which has a small temple on it and has largely negative reviews on TA (not recommended).
Although most Tuk Tuk drivers have it listed on their trip lists it is very hard going for a tuk tuk. It will cost you 30-35US for a round trip (depending on your bargaining skills) and will take around 3 hours each way! The last 5km along the dirt road is very bumpy. Having completed the trip in a tuk-tuk I wouldn't recommend it to others. However it is not the end of the world if you can't organize a car as the countryside you drive through is very picturesque. If you do go by Tuk-Tuk, ladies wear a good bra and everyone onboard should buy a cheap pair of Ray Beans as the dirt gets off the road and into your eyes.
According to lonely planet you can take a bus here for 8500r. Just get on a bus going to Takeo and jump off at the signposted turn off. Get a motorbike down the dirt road to the temple.
Apparently the trip takes 40 minutes to 1 hour via car but I am unsure of the cost (sorry). This would be the optimal mode of transport and I would recommend it.
PROS
- In all honesty the temple was very similar to those of Angkor. The only beauty of it was that we were the only tourists there and so were able to take heaps of beautiful pictures with no one else in the shot.
- THE VIEW! THE VIEW! THE VIEW! It was simply stunning. I have attempted to upload some pictures to display this but it was one of the best views I have seen in my life. The whole 60km drive we didn't see any mountains except this one so when you are at the top you are just looking out onto flat area (mainly rice fields). It makes for some beautiful viewing and beautiful photo's.
- You can combine this with a tour of the Zoo which is definitely worth the trip
- Passing through the villages that line the dirt road on the way to the temple is nice. The children all wave and smile. It's nice to see village life which isn't on display for the tourists like the other human zoo's around the place.
CONS
- The drive is very long and very painful if you do it by tuk-tuk. It is also fairly expensive (we paid 35US for a round trip which included the zoo). Worth looking into getting a car. However, the countryside that you pass through if nice so if you are into nostalgia it isn't all that bad. Wear glasses and a good bra.
- You have to have a reasonable level of fitness to climb the stairs.
- One of the other places at the top of the hill was under construction but it didn't look all that spectacular anyway.
- Phnom Chisor is very similar to the structures you see at the temples of angkor. I wouldn't have gone to it if it wasn't on top of this hill with the incredible view.
CONCLUSION
I would definitely recommend this to others but you need to take certain things into consideration namely; appropriate transportation (car unless you are feeling adventurous) and doing it in combination with another outlying attraction (preferably the Zoo). We did it in combination with the Zoo via tuk-tuk and it was one of the best days we had on our 1 month trip of SE asia.
Written 21 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
charmingvioletgrace
Malabon, Philippines19 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
It's good to come here early in the morning when the sun sets in. 1 1/2 - 2 Hours drive from the city. As per our tour/driver guide Mr.Hout we will climb 223 steps before reaching the top which has a birds eyeview of City of Cambodia you can see also the Vietnam boarder. This temple was much older than Angkor Wat in Seam Reap but was smaller. There's an entrance fee of $2, bring water, umbrella before you go up.
Written 14 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kay S
Brisbane, Australia5 contributions
Sept 2013 • Family
Must have an English speaking guide to take you around and explain the history. We enjoyed walking around the Temple
Written 10 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie B
St. Albans, UK25 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
Lovely to see the beautiful buildings and learn something of the progression of history in Cambodia. Get a guide for $10 at the entrance as there are no guidebooks or signs up anywhere. $6 entrance fee. Closed between 11 and 2 each day so worth checking opening times before going.They are great ambassadors for their country and well trained to answer questions, take photos etc.. Well worth a trip.
Written 10 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
22max123
Phuket, Thailand4 contributions
About 60 km south of Phnom Phen in Takeo province is a great looking temple area on a hill, Its Phnom Chisor.
The temples are done in beautiful masonry work and some inscriptions are dated back to the 11 th century when the place was known as Suryagiri. The temples of Phnom Chisor look quite similar to the Pagodas and Temples in Bagan, central Myanmar, Burma. The panoramic view from the hill over the plains of Takeo province is a breathtaking experience.
Phnom Chisor was created under King Suryavarman I. He reigned for 47 years from 1002 on. During his reign 4 major temple were built. Among them Preah Vihear in the north and Phnom Chisor in the south of today Cambodia.
Phnom Chisor was then known as Suryadri, 'the Mountain of the Sun' and due to the influence of Hinduism of that time, was dedicated to Brahma, 'the Creator of the Universe'. The buildings of Phnom Chisor are done in brick construction with sandstone lintels above the doorways and the wooden doors of the main Phnom Chisor building have rich woodcarving with some figures standing on pigs, inside are plenty of Buddha sculptures.
For more pls. visit ---
The temples are done in beautiful masonry work and some inscriptions are dated back to the 11 th century when the place was known as Suryagiri. The temples of Phnom Chisor look quite similar to the Pagodas and Temples in Bagan, central Myanmar, Burma. The panoramic view from the hill over the plains of Takeo province is a breathtaking experience.
Phnom Chisor was created under King Suryavarman I. He reigned for 47 years from 1002 on. During his reign 4 major temple were built. Among them Preah Vihear in the north and Phnom Chisor in the south of today Cambodia.
Phnom Chisor was then known as Suryadri, 'the Mountain of the Sun' and due to the influence of Hinduism of that time, was dedicated to Brahma, 'the Creator of the Universe'. The buildings of Phnom Chisor are done in brick construction with sandstone lintels above the doorways and the wooden doors of the main Phnom Chisor building have rich woodcarving with some figures standing on pigs, inside are plenty of Buddha sculptures.
For more pls. visit ---
Written 31 May 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amrit A
12 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
One of beautiful mountain and there many steps to go up to see temple, it is very beautiful landscape from Top of mountain and Buddhist monastery near temple.
Written 11 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonjour,
Je souhaiterais savoir quel est le meilleur moyen pour se rendre à phnom chisor depuis Phnom Penh?
Sachant que je voyage seule.
Written 16 November 2017
Bonjour, personnellement nous avions loué un véhicule avec chauffeur. Je vous conseille de choisir cette option car bien plus qu’un chauffeur il pourrait être votre guide. Pour nous notre chauffeur a été cela. Si vous êtes intéressée, faites le moi savoir et je vous donnerais ses coordonnées. Si nous n’avions pas eu notre chauffeur, je pense que nous aurions loupé BEAUCOUP de choses. Les différents points d’intérêts Cambodge sont très mal indiqués, sinon vous avez la possibilité de prendre un taxi ou un tuk tuk (voir une moto dop pour visiter certains endroits)
Written 17 November 2017
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