Phanom Rung Historical Park Tourism

Historical Park4.5(374 reviews)Get quotes for Thailand

About Phanom Rung Historical Park

Phanom Rung Historical Park is an ancient Khmer complex set atop an extinct volcano at the rim of an extinct volcano in Buriram Province, in the Issan region of Thailand. It is the most significant and best-restored Khmer monument in Thailand, built between the 10th and 13th centuries. It was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and symbolizes Mount Kailash, his heavenly dwelling. The sanctuary is constructed of pink sandstone and laterite, featuring elaborate carvings and architectural flourishes that showcase the artistry of the Khmer builders. The complex is oriented so that four times a year, the sun shines through all fifteen sanctuary doorways. The approach to the main temple is via a processional walkway, punctuated by naga bridges symbolizing the passage from the earthly realm to the divine. Visitors are often struck by the tranquility and beauty of the surrounding landscape, in addition to the remarkable preservation and historical significance of the site.

Top 5 Reviews on Phanom Rung Historical Park

kilovolt500
5.0
Wrote on 31 Jan 2024
Great historical sight
Over a period of 30 years this was my 3rd visit of Khao Phanom Rung historical park. We arrived by car and took a combo ticket for Khao Phanom Rung and Prasat Hin Mueng Tum, 150 Baht per foreigner and 50 Baht parking fee. We took Gate 3 which allowed us to drive up to the top of the mountain, there from the parking place is easy access to the temple. There is another parking lot at gate 1 from where one climbs up the mountain to the level of the temple from the east. I recommend the upper parking lot for those who are not used to climb up narrow steps. Phanom Rung is a Hindu-Khmer temple comprising ruins of construction that was completed from the 10th to the 13th centuries. The temple has several beautiful lintels, the most famous being the Phra Narai Lintel, above the east portal, which was returned to Thailand from a museum in the United States in 1988, after the temple had been restored by the Thai Department of Fine Arts. The view from up top is splendid. We started from the top level and climbed down to the start of the steps, with a brief visit to the Phanom Rung museum, not much to see there. The climbing up is a wonderful experience as finally the top of the main building slowly comes into sight. There were quite a number of local and foreign tourists but the area is so large that no crowd developed anywhere. Disturbing were the pigeons, the Fine Arts department should get rid of them as they soil the dark spots and in the long run definitely will ruin part of the structures.
pianocello
4.0
Wrote on 30 Aug 2023
Historical site
This place was a little more crowded than Phimai and Muang Tam. Quite beautiful but there were many unsteady steps. Not suitable for very young children and those with walking disabilities.
Lee-Tarbet
5.0
Wrote on 28 Aug 2023
Great Views
Wonderful example of Khmer royalty from 1000 A.D. Beware of bats inside the temple. Take the long way and walk up the stairs to the temple!
CarstenG65
5.0
Wrote on 28 Oct 2022
Simply Amazing
Wow, this should be a must stop on the way. This is an impressive site and well preserved. The Historical Park is very well organized and enternce fee is cheap compare to the size and preservation. I wasn't to crowded despite being a national holiday.
Raintree_Thailand
4.0
Wrote on 27 May 2022
Step into the past!!
Some reviewers liken Phanom Rung to Angkor Wat and, while the style of the ruins is similar, Phanom Rung is certainly no Angkhor Wat. Nonetheless, it is still very impressive and well worth visiting, and well worth the 100 baht fee for foreigners (20 baht for Thais). There are two options for accessing the temple: Gate 1, from which you climb up the mountain to the level of the temple from the east; and Gate 3, which allows you to drive up to the top of the mountain. The east access is more impressive, but definitely a lot more work to climb. The small mountain itself is a long-dormant volcano (yes; there are volcanoes in Thailand!). The Hindu-Khmer temple itself comprises ruins of construction that was completed from the 10th to the 13th centuries. The temple has several beautiful lintels, the most famous being the Phra Narai Lintel, above the east portal, which was returned to Thailand from a museum in the United States in 1988, after the temple had been restored by the Thai Department of Fine Arts.