Phnom Da, first capital of Cambodia (Angkor Borei)
Phnom Da is located in the Angkor Borei district very close to the border to Vietnam. It is about 100 km south of Phnom Penh and 24 km east of Ta Keo town. There is a regular boat service between Angkor Borei and Ta Keo town. Phnom Da is a hill, but the surrounding area can be flooded and access may be difficult during the rainy season.
"Phnom Da" is the name for the first art style period in pre-Angkorian times.
Phnom Da is not touristically, but historically an important site as it was the capital of the so-called Funan civilization, which was the leading trade empire and one of the first highly developed indianized states in Southeast Asia. It was dominant in the area of present-day Cambodia and southern Vietnam from the 2nd to the middle of the 7th century. This is the reason why Angkor Borei with Phnom Da is listed as a World Heritage Site aspirant. Not much remains from those Funan times on and around the hill of Phnom Da, because buildings and temples were built of wood. Sculptures of the Phnom Da style should be studied in the National Museum in Phnom Penh or in the Guimet Museum in Paris. Some more works of art are exposed in Siem Reap's Angkor Museum. There is also a small museum in Angkor Borei.
_58b8dd3cee876.jpg "Phnom Da, Ta Keo Province, Cambodia")
A first stone temple on top of the Phnom Da hill was built during a later Funan period called Norkor Phnom period. Funan's well-known King Rudravarman is said to be the founder of this temple in the first half of the 6th century. But the temple on top of the Phnom Da hill that can be visited today is from a much later period, it was reconstructed estimately in the 12th century. The temple is 12 meters square. The temple is open to the north, it has false doors on the three other sides. It was constructed of laterite and brick. Doors and false doors also use sandstone. The temple's roof is damaged, but still of impressing height, 18 meters. A stone carving depicting the Churning of the Milk Ocean is broken into two parts. A lintel illustrates the sleeping Vishnu creating the world.
In the flank of the hill are five artificial caves. About 300 meters southwest of the temple is another smaller temple known as Asrom Moha Asei or Asrom Taa Asey. It was built at the end of the 7th century, which alread is the Zhenla time known from Chinese source. King Pavavarman I is said to be the founder. Asrom Moha Asei is 5.5 meters square and 7 meters high.
"Phnom Da" is the name for the first art style period in pre-Angkorian times.
Phnom Da is not touristically, but historically an important site as it was the capital of the so-called Funan civilization, which was the leading trade empire and one of the first highly developed indianized states in Southeast Asia. It was dominant in the area of present-day Cambodia and southern Vietnam from the 2nd to the middle of the 7th century. This is the reason why Angkor Borei with Phnom Da is listed as a World Heritage Site aspirant. Not much remains from those Funan times on and around the hill of Phnom Da, because buildings and temples were built of wood. Sculptures of the Phnom Da style should be studied in the National Museum in Phnom Penh or in the Guimet Museum in Paris. Some more works of art are exposed in Siem Reap's Angkor Museum. There is also a small museum in Angkor Borei.
A first stone temple on top of the Phnom Da hill was built during a later Funan period called Norkor Phnom period. Funan's well-known King Rudravarman is said to be the founder of this temple in the first half of the 6th century. But the temple on top of the Phnom Da hill that can be visited today is from a much later period, it was reconstructed estimately in the 12th century. The temple is 12 meters square. The temple is open to the north, it has false doors on the three other sides. It was constructed of laterite and brick. Doors and false doors also use sandstone. The temple's roof is damaged, but still of impressing height, 18 meters. A stone carving depicting the Churning of the Milk Ocean is broken into two parts. A lintel illustrates the sleeping Vishnu creating the world.
In the flank of the hill are five artificial caves. About 300 meters southwest of the temple is another smaller temple known as Asrom Moha Asei or Asrom Taa Asey. It was built at the end of the 7th century, which alread is the Zhenla time known from Chinese source. King Pavavarman I is said to be the founder. Asrom Moha Asei is 5.5 meters square and 7 meters high.
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We are not part of an international holding, we help to develop local tourist business.
Our company is run by locals and 100% owned by Cambodians.
For details, please check our page
Our company