Kulen Mountain is situated at north east of the Angkor Complex about 50 Km from Siem Reap. There is an entry fee (cheaper if bought in Siem Reap before setting off) of $20 at the gate. The mountain is 487 meters high and plateau stretches for 30 km.
The road is steep and narrow and it’s only possible to go up before 11 AM and to come down after midday, to avoid vehicles meeting on the narrow road.
Kulen is considered by Khmers to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia and it is therefore a popular picnic place for locals during weekends and festivals.
On the hilltop there are 56 Angkorian temples made of bricks and volcanic stones, but most of them are now in poor condition.
Also at the top you can see a large statue of a reclining Buddha, some 8 metres in length. Century, carved in the 16th century.
The highlight though is the waterfall, split in two spots. The amount of water will vary a lot from dry to wet seasons. Hire a shelter for a few dollars, have food delivered from the restaurants and relax.
The water is considered holy and Khmers like to bottle it to take home with them. The source of water eventually flows in to Tonle Sap Lake and is thought to bless the waterways of Cambodia.