Tucked in the heart of the countryside of the southern Cambodia, ancient Chenla in Phnom Bayong may not be as dazzling as the mountain temples of Prasat Preah Vihear and the lush jungles of Koh Kong Conservation Corridor but it takes visitors away from the usual tourist trail and offers an insight into the traditional Khmer life.
A lot of people pause here before heading to Vietnam just to marvel at the view of the 313-meter tall temple embellished with intricate bas-reliefs reminiscent of the halcyon days of the Funan. Adventurous travelers even sweat their way up to its zenith just to get a glimpse of the spectacular summit view and across Cambodia's border with Vietnam. Other than the hardy travelers, pilgrims gather in this spot to commemorate the Buddha and chant some sutras (aphorisms).
The Phnom Tchea Tapech is another attraction in the site which features a huge Buddha standing at its peak. Though it is not as high as the one in Chenla, the journey to its location is rewarded with a panoramic view and a firsthand experience of seeing stone carvings preserved for centuries. The best way maximize the visit to the summit is to arrive early morning or at the end of the day, to either watch sunrise or sunset.
The Kirivong waterfall, another notable destination at Phnom Bayong, can be a breather after a long day of trek in these two temples and an interesting venue to relax in its cool, clear waters. Visitors can find a good number of stalls selling quartz and topaz cut into tiny Buddha images which can be a great keepsake to take home.
