Phnom Bok

The temple itself is in great disrepair and is not particularly impressive, but the view certainly is, and there is a active Buddhist temple with a charming chapel at the summit of the hill.

Phnom Bok is a 235m hill to the northeast of Angkor that features a modern Buddhist temple at its base and the ruins of a 9th century temple at its summit, where there is a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. The trail to the summit, which leads straight up the hill, is fully exposed, and only very fit people with hats and adequate sunscreen should attempt the climb in the heat of the day; go in the morning to watch a spectacular sunrise, and then continue north on a 7 days in Phnom Penh (See Day 3 of this itinerary).

Phnom Bok is one of a group of three famous temples situated on the largest hilltops in the Angkor area. King Yasovarman I, who founded his capital city in the area we now call Angkor, built his state temple atop Phnom Bakheng at the center of the city; he also built a pair of temples atop Phnom Kraom, overlooking the Tonle Sap, and here at Phnom Bok beside the northeast corner of the East Baray.

Despite a general state of disrepair, there are many remaining carvings on the temple that are quite beautiful, and scrambling over the stones of the collapsed towers is enjoyable, if a little dangerous. The temple is also home to a collection of frangipani trees that sprout from the tops of the towers; when in full bloom the flowers are worth the visit in themselves.

Just below the ruins is a small shelter for monks from the temple at the base of the hill and there is a small wooden pagoda just beside the shelter. If there is a monk available to unlock the pagoda for you, the morning sunlight will shine through the doors, illuminating the Buddha images within. :D