Phnom Prasith

Phnom Prasith is located In Makak commune. Ang Snoul district and in Chhvian Commune Ponhea Leu district. North of Phnom Penh. To get there, take National Road 5 north about 11 kilometers to Prek Pneuv Market point. From there. Turn left and drive another 13 kilometers along a dirt trail. The total distance is about 24 kilometers from Takmao Provincial town. In the future, one National Road 26 is completed and the trail to Phnom Prasith, and then continue on the Phnom Uodong. Or, they could visit Uodong First ands Phnom Prasith later.

Phnom Prasith Is composed o two hills, the east hill and the West Hill. The West Hill has no stories. The East Hill, however, has stories relating to religion and the Khmer king. It also has a large statue of the reclining Buddha reaching nirvana.

There are not many big tree in Phnom Prasith, and there are no development plans for now. The site attracts few visitors because there is poor organization and management. Nevertheless, this area has beautiful scenery, abundant fresh air and is rich in culture and history.

About 1 kilometer from Phnom Prasith, there is a man-made cultural site called Phnom Reap or Prasat Vihear Suor. Based on the style of Angkor Wat, Phnom Reap was constructed of stone and cement. Between 1996 and 1998 for about 1 million US dollars. The money was raised from local and foreign sources Meas Sarin.

Today, Phnom Reap attracted many Cambodian and foreign tourist. It is often used as the backdrop for Cambodian Videos.

Oudong Mountain

Phnom Oudong dates from the early 7th century and was the old capital of Cambodia (1618 – 1866) before the capital was moved to Phnom Penh. It is now the official resting place of the most sacred of Buddha’s bones possessed by Cambodia. Originally stored at the monument in front of the railway station in Phnom Penh and later Wat Phnom, the bone has had a new temple built top the mountain and is now the tallest one of three temples that exist there.

After a 10 to 20 minute climb from the base of the mountain you will be able to witness a wonderful view down to the surrounding Wats, rice fields and floodplains. The music from the Wats often drift upwards from below to add some magic to this place.

You can then stroll between the peaks of the mountain to behold the majestic temples and stupas present there and that are steeped in Cambodian history.

One of the most famous stories is the one which surrounds the old Chinese Buddha temple which now lays in a stage of disrepair on the southern most peak.

This temple contains a large statue of Buddha built by the Chinese. Ordinarily a statue of Buddha is built to face the east to greet the rising sun, in the case of this Buddha it was built to face China. It is thought that this was to move the power of a sleeping dragon that lies within the mountain over to China.

How to get there: From The Independence Monument head north toward Wat Phnom. Go around Wat Phnom and continue north until you reach the roundabout. Turn a sharp right – not to go over the Japanese bridge, but underneath. When you get to the river turn left and head north along National Road No. 5. Head straight for approximately one hour then turn left.