Takeo Province

     Takeo is one of the oldest provinces found in the Southern part of Cambodia. It is where the ancient Kingdom of Funan was established in around 1st century A.D. Funan is Chinese pronunciation meaning city or empire of mountain. Takeo has a few temples including the famous Phnom Da Temple, which dated back to around 5th century. Takeo is supposed to be the most interesting province to visit for those who are interested in understanding the root of Khmer civilization.

Angkor Borei and Phnom Da

    Located some 24 kilometres east of Takeo provincial town and 102 kilometres south of Phnom Penh, Angkor Borei is the site of the ancient Chenla capital of Vyadhapura, constructed in the 6th century by King Rudravarman (c 515). Today there is little to see at the site itself but various important archaeological relics (including brick terraces dating from the Funan era) have been unearthed in the area and the recently opened Angkor Borei Museum (see below) contains several noteworthy sculptures and stelae removed for safety. Close by is Prasat Phnom Da, a square Hindu temple constructed in the period 514-600. Built of laterite, brick and sandstone, it has three false doors and a real door which opens on the north side. The roof of Prasat Phnom Da is badly degraded, although some decorative features are still intact. Five man-made caves in the adjacent hillside contain linga-yoni images; during the 1970s these caves are said to have been used by the Khmer Rouge to cremate bodies. Some 300 metres south west of Prasat Phnom Da is a smaller temple known as Asrom Moha Eysei, which was constructed in Indian style during the reign of King Bhavavarman

Phnom Chisor

    Located 15 kilometres north of Takeo, this mountain temple was built from laterite and brick with sandstone lintels. Inscriptions found here date from the 11th century, when the site was known as Suryagiri.
    Chi So mountain has an ancient ruined temple; the temple is damaged, but is still better than other else in this area. On the top of the mountain, we can view the beautiful scenery of rice fields in Takeo province.

Prasat Neang Khmao

    Located some 27 kilometres north of Takeo provincial town and 52 kilometres south of Phnom Penh, Prasat Neang Khmao was constructed in the 10th century by King Jayavarman IV (921-940) for the worship of Brahmanism; the architecture may be classified as Koh Ker style. There were originally three towers at the site, but today only two remain and both of these are in poor condition. Statues removed from the two remaining towers may be seen today in the National Museum in Phnom Penh. Unfortunately the modern Wat Neang Khmao has been built right next to the site.

Prasat Tonle Bati

Prasat Phnom Bayang

    Located some 40 kilometres south of Takeo provincial town and 130 kilometres south of Phnom Penh, this pre-Angkorian temple was constructed on top of the eponymous 313-metre hill during the reigns of King Isanavarman I (c 611-635) and his son Bhavavarman II (c 635-659). Built using a combination of brick, sandstone, basalt and laterite, the 12 metre-high tower is now in very poor condition.

Prasat PhnomTamao

Zoo at Phnom Tamao

    Located some 40 kilometres south of Phnom Penh, Prasat Phnom Tamao was constructed in the 11th century by Kings Suryavarman I (1002-1050) and Udayadityavarman II (1050-1066) and comprises two brick and stone sanctuaries – Prasat Tamao and Prasat Thma Dos – both of which are dedicated to the worship of Brahmanism. Both temples are now in poor condition.