Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sun shines through all 15 sanctuary doorways. The correct solar alignment happens during
sunrise from 3 to 5 April and 8 to 10 September, and sunset from 5 to 7 March and 5 to 7
October (some years are one day earlier.). The park extends its hours during these events,
and locals celebrate the
Phanom Rung Festival
around the April alignment, with ancient Brah-
min ceremonies and modern sound-and-light shows.
Sights
Below the main sanctuary, above the long row of gift shops, an
information centre
(
8.30am-4.30pm)
houses artefacts found at the site and displays about both the construction
and 17-year restoration. You can pick up a free informative brochure or arrange a Thai-
speaking guide (free, but tips are expected) here. Those who don't want to climb can use
an upper parking lot (50B per car), but the brochure isn't available there.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Phanom Rung is the
promenade
leading to the
main gate. It begins on a slope 400m east of the main tower with three earthen
terraces
.
Next comes a cruciform base for what may have been a wooden pavilion. To the right of
this is the
changing pavilion
(Phlab Phla) where royalty bathed and changed clothes before
entering the temple complex. You then step down to a 160m-long
processional walkway
flanked by sandstone pillars with early Angkor style (AD 1100-80) lotus-bud tops. This
walkway ends at the first and largest of three
naga bridges
, flanked by 16 five-headed
naga
