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- Preah Ang Thom (Big Reclining Buddha and hilltop pagoda) — A huge, 16-m reclining Buddha carved into the rock beneath a shady pagoda; the site sits on the plateau and feels both peaceful and a little otherworldly, with incense, monkeys and great photo light in the late afternoon.
- Kulen Waterfall — A series of wide, jungle-fringed cascades and natural pools where locals and travelers cool off. It’s one of the park’s signature spots: bring a swim suit and expect muddy trails after rain, but rewardingly clear plunge pools at the bottom.
- Riverbed carvings and stone lingas — Sections of the riverbed and rock faces are carved with thousands of lingas, lotuses and Vishnu icons — ancient, subtle carvings you walk right over. It’s a rare mix of raw nature and sacred stonework running through the
- Preah Ang Thom (Big Reclining Buddha and hilltop pagoda) — A huge, 16-m reclining Buddha carved into the rock beneath a shady pagoda; the site sits on the plateau and feels both peaceful and a little otherworldly, with incense, monkeys and great photo light in the late afternoon.
- Kulen Waterfall — A series of wide, jungle-fringed cascades and natural pools where locals and travelers cool off. It’s one of the park’s signature spots: bring a swim suit and expect muddy trails after rain, but rewardingly clear plunge pools at the bottom.
- Riverbed carvings and stone lingas — Sections of the riverbed and rock faces are carved with thousands of lingas, lotuses and Vishnu icons — ancient, subtle carvings you walk right over. It’s a rare mix of raw nature and sacred stonework running through the water.
- Panoramic viewpoints over the Angkor plain — Short hikes up ridgelines open to sweeping views of the rice plains and temples far below. Sunrise and late afternoon give the best light; it’s a quieter, wilder perspective on the Angkor landscape.
- Jungle trails and wildlife — Dense evergreen forest, shaded tracks and small rivers make for pleasant day hikes. Expect macaques, lots of birds and butterflies, and the kind of humid green silence that makes the waterfalls sound epic.
- Archaeological remains and Khmer history — Scattered ruined temples, stone faces and inscriptions mark Phnom Kulen as a cradle of the Khmer Empire — Jayavarman II declared independence here. The ruins feel low-key and exploratory compared with Angkor’s big sites.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
4-Day Excursion of Angkor, Koh Ker, Beng Mealea, Tonle Sap and Waterfalls
✓ Free cancellation
Siem Reap to Phnom Kulen: Waterfalls & 1000 Lingas Tour
✓ Free cancellation
Angkor Wat Private 3 day tour including National Park Phnom Kulen
✓ Free cancellation
3 day private tour: Angkor,waterfall,Beng Mealea,floating village,Banteay srei.
✓ Free cancellation
Angkor Wat Private 2 day tour including National Park Phnom Kulen
✓ Free cancellation
3-Day Tour of Siem Reap, Angkor Temples & Phnom Kulen Waterfall
5-Day All Major Temples & Kulen Mount Waterfall & Koh Ker & Beng Mealea
✓ Free cancellation
2 days private tour: Angkor sunrise, Banteay Srei, Kulen mountain, Beng Mealea
✓ Free cancellation
Kulen Waterfall and Banteay Srei Off Beaten Track
✓ Free cancellation
Private 1Day Tour: Kulen mountain, Beng Mealea,
✓ Free cancellation
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.