Kbal Spean                                                    Return to Map

Commonly known as the valley of a 1000 Lingas, Kbal Spean: is set deep in the jungle to the north east of Angkor. A 45 minute steep walk takes you to the river and waterfalls  where hundreds of phalluses are carved on the riverbed.

 

Kbal Spean Waterfalls

The waterfall here is best seen at the end of the rainy season.  At the top of the falls are numerous carved figures and animals  This site has only been opened up to tourism since 1998 and is less crowded than the nearby Phnom Koulen. This Hindu Pilgrimage site predates Angkor Wat by some 200 years; making it one the most ancient sites in the region.

Kbal Spean is looked after very well; the waymarked trail is a very attractive route through atmospheric jungle.  The path is steep; with some well maintained steps. Sounds of birds and wildlife with hundreds of butterflies enhance the visit which is at its best in the rainy season or early in the Dry season May through to December.

From February  the river dries up and the falls become just a trickle; so we stop running tours until May or June when the river flows.

Walking up the hill            

Strange vines spiral upwards

Forest canopy captured using ultra wide lens

New Vishnu at Kbal Spean

One of the most impressive features at Kbal Spean was the carving of Vishnu on the rocks by the upper cascade.

 It was hacked off in 2003 by robbers. An ugly scar remained until August  2006 whe a new replacement carving was added. The new carving has blended in well as you can see by the recent photo above.

 The image on left  was taken a week after it was installed

On a trip here in December 05  I was talking about wildlife to an Australian couple  and said that one thing that I really wanted to see in Cambodia was a large snake. I had seen the odd small one but would  want to see a python or similar. Within minutes we saw a young golden python among the sacred Lingas.

Python amongst the Lingas