Phnom Bok
Mountain Hilltop Angkor temple ruin offering panoramic views
Hilltop Khmer temple east of Angkor with carved lintels and stepped access; photographers and hikers visit for elevated views over rice fields and nearby ruins.
Phnom Bok is a small hilltop Hindu temple site in the Angkor region of northwestern Cambodia, situated on a wooded hill east of the main Angkor complex. The temple dates to the later 9th and early 10th centuries and forms one of the hilltop shrines around the Angkor plain.
The site includes brick and laterite construction with small sanctuary towers and carved sandstone elements typical of the period, and it is visited mainly for its elevated vantage point and close-up views of the surrounding rice plain and distant temple silhouettes. There are no large visitor facilities on the hill.
Phnom Bok is one of several temple hills in the Angkor area built during the early Angkorian period; it illustrates the practice of constructing temples on prominent local rises. The hilltop position has helped preserve parts of the fabric despite centuries of exposure.
The temple sits east of the main Angkor archaeological zone in Siem Reap province, on a small wooded elevation that is reached by a short drive and a walk up a stepped path from the surrounding flatlands.
- Viewing point: Sits on a forested hill offering panoramic sunrise views over the Angkor plain and is reached by a short steep climb from the road below.
Tips for Visiting Phnom Bok #
- Climb Phnom Bok at sunrise or early morning for the best light and cooler temperatures-its hilltop temple offers wide views over the Angkor plain and far fewer people than Phnom Bakheng.
- Phnom Bok is a short, steep climb with stone steps and narrow paths; arrive early to avoid the mid‑day heat and to secure the best vantage points for photography.
- Pair Phnom Bok with nearby sites such as Banteay Srei on the same outing to make transport worthwhile; many visitors focus only on the main Angkor circuit and miss this quieter hill temple.
Best Time to Visit Phnom Bok #
Visit during the dry season (November-February) for the most comfortable, rain-free conditions to climb and view Phnom Bok.
Weather & Climate near Phnom Bok #
Phnom Bok's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 18°C to 35°C. Abundant rainfall (1354 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 1 mm.
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February
February is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 21°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is hot, feeling like 30°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (144 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (176 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (192 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (194 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (279 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (192 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall.
