PHNOM CHISO

 

 

Located at Sla Village, Ro Vieng Commune, Sam Roung District in 62-Kilometre distance from Phnom Penh. The mountain can be accessible by the National Road No 2 via Ba Ti District and Neang Khmao temple in one-hour drive from Phnom Penh, then turning more five Kilometres from the National Road No 2 by a trail. If we drive from the provincial town of Takeo, it will take 15 minutes in 17-Kilometre distance.

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. The temple of Phnom Chi So was built on the top of a 380-metre height mountain by the King, Sorayak Varman I dedicated to Brahmanism in early 11th century (1002-1050).

The mountain can be climbed up by a popular western stair having 180 steps and down by a southern stair having 408 steps. Next to the top of southern stair, there is another ancient stair located in front of the temple. This ancient stair was built at the same time to the temple and linked to the temples of Sen Chhmos and Sen Ro Vang, and Tonle Oum, the lake considered as the sacred lake during the ancient time used for washing human sin in Brahmanism. At a rock yard having 100-metre length and 80-metre width, there are many temples were built in different times.

These temples are facing to the East and Northwest; most of these temples were damaged. South of the temples, there is a Buddhist temple, the new building; behind it, there are a hall of Thormak Sa Phea Kot for monks, a small worshipping place and an ancient-water tank made of concrete. The temple of Phnom Chi So is surrounded by the first long building, each side has 60 Meters and the second long building, smaller than the first one, located at the middle where there are a main worshipping place and a wooden statue.

In addition, we have seen the beautiful sculpture on fronton and Sar Sar Pich (column) of the temple. Chi So mountain is the historical site of Takeo province, it has shown the ancient temple which is the cultural heritage, the civilization and the treasure of Cambodia as well as the beautiful natural scenery and other social achievement such as the pagoda of phnom Chi So. Phnom Chi So has considerable tourists who visit there, especially during the National, traditional and international festivals