Phnom Chisor

What to See at Phnom Chisor

The Summit Sanctuary

Built in 1010 AD under Suryavarman I and originally named Suryagiri, the hilltop sanctuary is constructed from sandstone and laterite, with carved doorways and a layout typical of early 11th-century Khmer temple design. Despite centuries of exposure, several structures remain substantially intact.

The Staircase

More than 400 stone steps climb the temple mountain from base to summit — steep, uneven in places, and entirely exposed to the sun. The effort is part of the experience: this was a working pilgrimage route for a thousand years before it became a tourist stop.

The View

The reward at the top is a near-uninterrupted view across the flat agricultural plains of Takéo and Kandal provinces, extending some 40km on a clear day — one of the best panoramic views accessible on a half-day trip from Phnom Penh.

How to Get to Phnom Chisor

Phnom Chisor is about 50km south of Phnom Penh, roughly an hour by road.

• From Phnom Penh: Taxi or private car, $30–40 round trip including waiting time, often combined with Tonle Bati
• From Tonle Bati: About 20km further south, a natural continuation of the same half-day trip
• Local transport: A motodop can be hired for the full round trip for budget travelers comfortable riding pillion

Best Time to Visit

Climb early in the morning before the heat builds — the staircase has very little shade, and by midday in the dry season the ascent becomes considerably more demanding.

Practical Information

• $3 entry ticket, paid at the base of the hill
• Bring water; there is minimal shade and no reliable facilities partway up
• Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended for the uneven stone steps
• A short, less strenuous laterite causeway near the base (Sen Thmol) is worth a quick look before or after the climb

Nearby Attractions

Tonle Bati, a lakeside Angkorian temple with a popular local picnic spot, is about 20km north and the standard companion stop on the same day trip from Phnom Penh.