Not many visitors make it to the town of Kampong Thom. Situated in western Cambodia, this area is rather lacking in tourist attractions. However, travelers who do make it this far will want to pay a visit to the temple complex of Prasat Kuha Nokor, which is one of the main attractions in this part of Cambodia.
This atmospheric temple complex is also known as Kukhaknokor and dates back to the 11th century. Built during the time of Suryavarman I, the temple is made using large laterite bricks, which can be found in the grounds of a pagoda that is still used for religious purposes to this day.
While visitors can reach Prasat Kuha Nokor on a daytrip from Skuon, it is worth spending a day or two in Kampong Thom as this is an area of intense natural beauty. Surrounded by jungle, those with a love for the great outdoors will want to spend time trekking and hiking here, while others can hire a bike and cycle around the town and surrounding area.
Every day, a good number of tourists pass through Kampong Thom on their way from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and vice versa. However, for those with time to spare who want to take a break, exploring the temple complex of Prasat Kuha Nokor is a good excuse to take a rest from traveling for a while.
In brief
What is it? A complex of ruined temples dating back to the 11th century.
** Opening hours**: 06:30 to 18:30, daily. Entrance fees: free of charge.
Where: Kampong Thom district in the picturesque west of Cambodia.
How to get there: take a short walk from the center of Kampong Thom (10 to 20 minutes). While Siem Reap and Phnom Penh are both around 100 miles away, buses take around 5 hours to reach either city.