Kbal Spean-“River of a thousand lingas”

Kbal Spean is an ancient Khmer site in Phnom Kulen National Park, a remote place located at considerable distance from Siem Reap and the main Angkor monuments.

The site stretches out over a length of about 150 meters through the jungle along the Stung Kbal Spean river, known as the “river of a thousand lingas”.
In 2013 during my long stay in Cambodia I visited this site. An experience not ever forgotten and one of my favourites.

As we were there during the dry season, the river was somewhat dried up. On several places, we saw beautiful images in the stones. You have to look carefully because sometimes an image does not stand out at all. The path is easily passable, but it can be rather hard at times, especially when it rains or immediately after it has rained. The whole climb is doable; you don’t have to be in great shape.

From the starting point (parking spot with eateries) you walk to the top part of the river in about 45 minutes (it took me an hour). Most travelers combine a visit with a stop at Banteay Srei, another beautiful Angkor temple.

we walked back down again; in the direction of the waterfall. which due to the dry season, was very small, but it still didn't stop me having a cool off underneath it before continuing down back to the car park.

I hope you enjoy seeing a few of the carvings I saw, you will see it was well worth the effort!

Music is free under creative commons licence from You Tube Music library.
Title: Keeping Sacred by Emily A. Sprague