Sambor Prei Kok

Sambor Prei Kuk Temple (SPK): “Abundant Forest Abundant Temple it was originally named by the local villagers” The ancient city where monuments of SPK are found today was identified as Isanapura, the capital of Chenla in 7th century. They are discovered 280 temples at SPK complex by University of Waseda 2000 & 2007 which are able to visit 64 temple only remain of them are ruined in the forest. Chenla was a former vassal of the Funan kingdom that was one of the first state in Southeast Asia, but it gradually gained its power and eventually King Citrasena Mahendravarman of Funan in the early 7th century. It located north of Kampong Thom, the capital of Kampong Thom province, Cambodia .

Kampong Thom is roughly halfway between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh on road Nº 6 that runs north of the Tonle Sap Lake.  It takes three hours from Siem Reap to Kampong Thom; the distance is about 154 Km and from Phnom Penh’s  the distance is about 160 km.  The road from Kampong Thom to Sambo district where the ruins are located, is still unpaved and bumpy. It is an all-season road but pretty rough in the rainy season. The distance is about 37 km.

Sambo Prei Kuk is comprised of 3 principle  groups within the site as a whole - the Prasat Sambor (North Group) , Prasat Tao (Central Group), and Prasat Yeay Poeun (South Group). Each individual group houses some very impressive temple ruins throughout, depicting pre-Angkorian art, and this will most likely figure as one of the most impressive Cambodia tourist attractions for the true temple enthusiast who will certainly be in their element here, and with any lucks, have the place to themselves. Within each walled group are Prasats in a varying state of decay, which focus around one main temple in the center. On each is carvings which also differ dramatically in terms of preservation and legibility. These carvings and temple designs are strikingly similar to many of the designs for the successive Angkor Temples, and the Khmer artwork displayed here is in the most part an absolute pretext for generations to come.

Sambo Prei Kuk is one of the main tourist attractions in Kampong Thom that covers 70% surface consisting of forests and plateau, rich in natural resources which are good for agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry. The (SPK)  Conservation and Development Community has 7144  members in 7 villages (11/2010). It was set up by the World Food Programmed in 1998. In 2000, Waseda University from Japan started implementing its conservation project.

The university set up the existing community structure as the Sambo Prei Kuk Conservation and Development Community.  Visitors will certainly enjoy the temples but there is more to explore. Sambor district has beautiful rural countryside and the lifestyle is very traditional. Visitors have the opportunity to be part of the local daily life for a day or for a couple of days. You can stay with families, cycle over pretty rural roads through villages, enjoy authentic Cambodian food at unique locations, try your hand at various handicrafts, learn to cook Cambodian food, practice traditional Cambodian dance, home stay accommodation and much more. Above all you will enjoy the unique hospitality of the local population. All the services you enjoy will benefit the community directly. There are seven supplier chains in the local for hosting arrival tourist: Home stay, food, cooking class, local tour guide, bicycle rental, ox-cart riding & Khmer traditional dance show.

Although the number of visitors is still considered as one of the most important economic growth sectors that contributes to poverty reduction in Cambodia. However, mainly due to a lack of infrastructure and organized tours the rural population hardly benefits from tourism. The untouched and overgrown temples of Sambor Prei Kuk are a unique pre-Angkorian attraction.