Phnom Kulen National Park: ASEAN's 2026 Wonder
- Editorial team
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Phnom Kulen National Park, located in Siem Reap Province in Cambodia, ranks among the Seven Wonders of ASEAN according to Condé Nast Traveller's 2026 list. This prestigious British travel magazine, founded in 1909 and award-winning for its expertise, highlights it.
The Cambodian Ministry of Tourism immediately welcomed this distinction, emphasizing the site's growing appeal. This recognition places Phnom Kulen alongside regional gems like Raja Ampat (Indonesia), Batanes (Philippines), Bái Tử Long Bay (Vietnam), George Town (Malaysia), Bolaven (Laos), and Doi Inthanon National Park (Thailand).
The Sacred Cradle of the Khmer Empire
Nestled in the sacred Phnom Kulen mountain range, peaking at 487 meters, this 373 km² protected area is revered as the birthplace of the Khmer Empire in the 9th century.
It was here, in 802, that King Jayavarman II proclaimed the independence of the Khmer people at the site of Hariharalaya, founding the dynasty that would lead to Angkor. Condé Nast Traveller describes it as home to the "lost city" of Mahendraparvata, an ancient capital predating Angkor Wat by about 350 years, with its ruined temples and pyramids buried under the jungle, rediscovered by LIDAR in 2012-2013.
An Intact Natural and Spiritual Treasure
Phnom Kulen captivates with its pristine tropical forest, impressive waterfalls like the Phnom Kulen cascade (20-30 m high), and panoramic views over the Angkor plain. The Siem Reap River originates here, where monks still carve Buddha statues from living rock—a millennial ritual.
Sacred temples like Preah Ang Thom (16 m reclining colossus), animist shrines, and spiritual sites blend harmoniously with nature, forming a unique cultural, archaeological, and ecological sanctuary. Designated a national park in 1996, it protects rich biodiversity: tigers, elephants, endemic birds, despite deforestation pressures.
This nomination boosts sustainable tourism in Cambodia post-pandemic. With 2.5 million annual visitors to Angkor (pre-2026, source: APSARA Authority), Phnom Kulen already draws 500,000 pilgrims and adventurers yearly via a 538-step staircase. Access by tuk-tuk from Siem Reap (50 km), ideal for hiking, swimming, and meditation. However, challenges persist: overcrowding, waste management, and preservation amid climate change (UNESCO reports, 2024).