PhanomRung07_021x

Taken on: 17th September, 2007. Copyright: All Rights Reserved - See Captain_Bob's page of Flickr

Read more about Phanom Rung

This spectacular temple sits atop a 383m high extinct volcano and is the closest thing to Angkor Wat you will see in Thailand.

As with the Khmer ruins of Phimai (near Khorat), it is suspected that Phanom Rung may have been a prototype for what eventually became Angkor Wat. Once built it was also used as a resting spot for pilgrims making their way from Angkor to Phimai.

The temple is the largest and best restored in Thailand (the restoration took 17 years to complete) and was originally built between the 10th and 13th Centuries. The entire complex is built facing the east which, as with most Hindu monuments, usually face towards the dawn.

The long promenade leading to the main temple is the best of its kind in Thailand and is the site of a large festival in mid April.

Once at the western end of the promenade you reach the first naga bridge which is sided by spectacular five headed nagas. They are still in good condition and are identical to those which are found at ... Read our complete Phanom Rung travel guide

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