Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Thailand Ta Pek Phanom Rung Historical Park
AO Edited

Phanom Rung Historical Park

This Khmer-era temple includes a lintel that was stolen and displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago for years before returning to Thailand.

Ta Pek, Thailand

Added By
Max Cortesi
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Phanom Rung Historical Park   Warawut Srisopark
Phanom Rung Historical Park   KOSIN SUKHUM
Phanom Rung Historical Park   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Phanom Rung Historical Park   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Phanom Rung Historical Park   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Phanom Rung Historical Park   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Beautifully restored Naga at the first bridge   gunhildlitwin / Atlas Obscura User
Phanom Rung Historical Park   Thanyakij
Phanom Rung Historical Park   Yakuzakorat
Phanom Rung Historical Park   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Phanom Rung Historical Park   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Phanom Rung Historical Park   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Phanom Rung is a Khmer temple dedicated to Shiva built in what was once part of the ancient Khmer Empire and today falls within the borders of the Thai province of Buriram. The full name of this site is Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, but it's usually referred to as Phanom Rung.

This complex was designed to make the most of the morphology of its location, so that the temple on top of the hill can be reached via an impressive staircase. This gives visitors the impression that this is not a hill, but a massive man-made building. Three naga bridges are located at the bottom, halfway, and top of the staircase. From the entrance, the walkway and the staircase combine to form a 524-foot (160-meter) long passage leading to the main temple.

Most of the complex was constructed using sandstone. Like most Khmer temples, however, special pink sandstone was used to build the 75-foot (23-meter) high tower. The entrance to the temple is decorated with motifs from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Throughout the complex are peaceful lotus ponds.

The most famous and easily recognizable part of the temple is the lintel at the entrance depicting a reclined Vishnu. This lintel was stolen in the 1960s and turned up as an exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago. It took some lengthy diplomatic efforts to ensure the restitution of the piece, which took place in 1988.

Once a year, on April 13th, the sun hits the temple at a particular angle that allows sunlight to shine through the fifteen portals of the temple. A festival is also held annually on this date. 

Related Tags

History & Culture Architecture Temples

Community Contributors

Added By

Max Cortesi

Edited By

linkogecko, gunhildlitwin

  • linkogecko
  • gunhildlitwin

Published

June 1, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Phanom Rung Historical Park
Ta Pek, 31110
Thailand
14.531856, 102.940299

Nearby Places

Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai Hell Garden

Tambon Sa Kamphaeng Yai, Thailand

miles away

Kbal Spean

Phumi Khna Rôngvoas, Cambodia

miles away

Cambodia Landmine Museum

Kampong Thom, Cambodia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Thailand

Thailand

Asia

Places 125
Stories 13

Nearby Places

Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai Hell Garden

Tambon Sa Kamphaeng Yai, Thailand

miles away

Kbal Spean

Phumi Khna Rôngvoas, Cambodia

miles away

Cambodia Landmine Museum

Kampong Thom, Cambodia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Thailand

Thailand

Asia

Places 125
Stories 13

Related Places

  • Pune, India

    Parvati Nandan Ganpati Temple

    This 17th-century temple gave the area of Ganeshkhind its name.

  • Hall of Edification

    Tainan City, Taiwan

    Tainan Confucius Temple

    The first Confucian temple in Taiwan, founded by the son of a pirate lord, doubled as the island's first state-sponsored school.

  • Maruti Temple

    Panaji, India

    Maruti Temple

    An iconic temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman resides atop a hill in the heart of Panaji.

  • The grottoes, possibly once used as storerooms.

    Kamakura, Japan

    Muryōju-in Temple Site

    Home to 800-year-old zen basin, a 400-year-old pilgrim’s path, and a century-old industrial grotto.

  • Modhera Sun Temple

    Modhera, India

    Modhera Sun Temple

    An architectural marvel that dates back to the zenith of Indian architecture.

  • Modern Shanghai looms over the temple.

    Shanghai, China

    Confucian Temple of Shanghai

    A prestigious learning institute of old Shanghai.

  • Phimeanakas

    Siem Reap, Cambodia

    Phimeanakas

    A secluded, little-known temple hidden amid the dense jungle.

  • Temple of Minerva

    Assisi, Italy

    Temple of Minerva

    What appears to be an ancient Roman temple is actually a Catholic church.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.