Angkor Borei is an isolated town, nearly surrounded by water and almost exclusively accessible by boat.
The now quiet town was once at the heart of the pre-Angkor kingdoms of Funan and Water-Chenla, evidence of which remains at several nearby temples atop Phnom Da and a small but impressive gallery of pre-Angkor artifacts that are housed in a small museum in Angkor Borei.
Temples and statuary discovered in the area date to the 5th - 7th centuries, though archaeological digs have discovered human remains from the second century b.c. Angkor Borei and Phnom Da, which were likely important religious centers of commercial tradition societies, were connected to the Mekong River delta, in what is now southern Vietnam, by man-made canals that crisscrossed the flat, flooded terrain. More modern channels are used to connect the area to Takeo, and a speedboat ride to the two sites is exhilarating and provides a fine opportunity to spot exotic birds and even snakes, slithering through the water!
The small museum in Angkor Borei houses a small, but impressive collection of Buddhist and Hindu statuary that represents the Phnom Da style of art (the finest statues, three towering black, sandstone images, are on display at the National Museum in Phnom Penh). Some of the pieces on display in Angkor Borei are spectacular and of obvious cultural and historical importance, including stone tablets with the earliest usage of the Khmer language. The museum is infrequently visited and seems surprisingly easy to rob. After visiting the museum it can be enjoyable to walk around the sleepy, scenic, riverside town.
Where to Go
- Angkor Borei Museum: A small but interesting museum showcasing artifacts from the Funan period, providing a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s early history.
- Phnom Da: An ancient hilltop temple in Takeo Province, offering insights into early Khmer civilization and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Getting There
Most people take a bus/taxi from Phnom Penh to Takeo and then a boat from Takeo (a couple of hours in total: $25), though it is also possible to get to Angkor Borei by motorbike during the dry season: follow the turnoff to Phnom Chissor continuing east past the temple and then turning south. Phnom Penh hosts the nearest airport, a 2 to 3 hour bus journey from Takeo.
Need to Know
- What is It?: A charming little town that used to be the religious center of pre-Angkor kingdoms and has a museum to prove it.
- When to Go: Any time of year; both the dry and wet seasons have pros and cons.
- Nearest Town: Angkor Borei is located on the banks of Prek Angkor River, a Tonle Bassac tributary, about 15 miles east of Takeo.
- Don’t Miss: Some of the earliest art produced in Cambodia.
- Trivia: Angkor Borei is one of the earliest religious centers of pre-Angkorian Cambodia
- Opening hours: 24 hours, daily.
- Entrance fees: None