| Phnom Kulen National Park | |
| Alt Name: | Jayavarman-Norodom Phnom Kulen National Park |
| Iucn Category: | II |
| Iucn Ref: | [1] |
| Map: | Cambodia |
| Relief: | yes |
| Location: | Svay Leu District, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia |
| Nearest City: | Siem Reap |
| Coordinates: | 13.6062°N 104.0957°W |
| Area: | 373.76km2 |
| Established: | 1993 |
The Phnom Kulen National Park (km|ឧទ្យានជាតិភ្នំគូលែន) is a national park in Cambodia, located in the Phnom Kulen mountain massif in Siem Reap Province. It was established in 1993 and covers 373.76km2. Its official name is Jayavarman-Norodom Phnom Kulen National Park (km|ឧទ្យានជាតិព្រះជ័យវរ្ម័ន-នរោត្តម ភ្នំគូលែន).
During the Khmer Empire the area was known as Mahendraparvata (the mountain of Great Indra) and was the place where King Jayavarman II had himself declared chakravartin (King of Kings), an act which is considered the foundation of the empire.[2]
Phnom Kulen National Park is located in Svay Leu District about from the provincial town of Siem Reap and about from Prasat Banteay Srey via Charles De Gaulle Road. There are several nature features, historical places, and other sights making Kulen National Park an interesting place to visit.[3] [4]
Chup Preah is a valley featuring several statues made during the 16th century.
The Kbal Spean archaeological site, also known as "Valley of a thousand Lingas", is located on the mountain, along the Kbal Spean River, which is a tributary of Siem Reap River. The site has many figures of Yoni and Linga as well as other figures carved into the rocks of the riverbed and banks which may become fully exposed in the dry season when the river dries up. The river is shallow and small waterfalls form at the site in the wet season. The site is accessible by trekking uphill through a jungle track from the parking site.
Terrace of Sdach Kamlung (km|ព្រះលានស្តេចគំលង់) is a plain terrace with a small ruined temple made of bricks in the middle. The terrace was once covered with lava.
Preah Ang Thom (km|ព្រះអង្គធំ) is an tall statue of the reclining Buddha reaching nirvana. The statue is carved into a huge sandstone boulder. Preah Ang Thom is the sacred and worshipping god for Phnom Kulen. There are also two big trees of Cham Pa (km|ដើមចំប៉ា) at nearby. Besides Preah Ang Thom, there are Chhok Ruot (km|ឆ័តរួត), footprint of Preah Bat Choan Tuk (km|បាតជើងព្រះបាទជាន់ទុក្ខ), Peung Chhok (km|ពើងឆ័ត), Peung Ey So (km|ពើងឥសូ) and Peung Ey Sey (km|ពើងឥសី).
There are two main waterfalls in Phnom Kulen (km|ទឹកធ្លាក់ភ្នំគូលែន):
The size of the waterfalls varies according to the seasons and the rain. Visiting the waterfalls is a popular activity on Phnom Kulen tours.
After initial reconnaissances by French scholars, the historical relevance of Phnom Kulen was pointed out by Philippe Stern, who visited it in 1936 and described Rong Chen[5] as the first temple-mountain.[6] [7] In 1973 and 1979 Jean Boulbet and Bruno Dagens published the fundamental archeological inventory and mapping of Phonm Kulen.[8] [9] In 2008 Archaeology & Development Foundation begun Phnom Kulen Program,[10] an archaeological project focused even on sustainable development of local communities.
In June 2013, an archaeological team announced the discovery and mapping of the ancient city of Mahendraparvata on the slopes of Phnom Kulen. The multi-year expedition was notable for its use of Lidar technology to reveal the layout of the city from beneath jungle and earth. 30 previously unidentified temples have been discovered.[11]