The mountain range is a part of Phnom Kulen national park where Jayavarman II declared himself the King of Kings thus putting the foundation stone for the Khmer Empire.
Recently, the giant rock overlooking lush green forests has become accessible for public. It is located in the area of Mahendraparvata, which was first unearthed only in 2012 and is considered to be the first ancient city of the Khmer Empire. There are no protecting railings or any other safety features on the cliff, only guards, so visitors are highly recommended to exercise caution and be prudent, especially when visiting with kids in tow.
The most popular activity on Kulen Mountain so far is night camping and picnicking under the stars. To keep the area neat, tourists are required to clean up before they leave.
On September, 1, 1992, Kulen Mountain was added to Cambodia’s national Tentative List for World Heritage but till now remains on the waiting list for being considered for World Heritage criteria. In 2016, a massive facelift of the area was undertaken with over 300 households relocated from the vicinity of the mountain and tourist facilities upgraded.
Photo cortesy Pha Lina
Make a Hair Rising Selfie Atop Mount Kulen
News in Asia
A protruding cliff of Kulen Mountain (Phnom Kulen) in Siem Reap province of Cambodia has become a new tourist attraction drawing in hordes of tourists making impressive selfies and picknicking under the stars.