In the ancient Khmer Kingdom, every capital city has its own mountain temple; Roluos – one of the former capital before Angkor – has Bakong and Angkor Thom has Baphuon. For Angkor Wat, it is Phnom Bakheng. The shrine is built on a lone hill offering a panoramic view of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the surrounding areas.

The Bakheng hill represents the center of the world, Mount Meru, in Indian cosmology. The hill is 70 meters high and provides a base for a pyramid shape temple. Visitors have to climb a slightly steep stairs up to the base of the temple or take an elephant ride up the hill. Built in the early 10th century, the temple is set on a tiered square base of five levels and dotted with square stone towers. Steep stairways on each side of the base provide an access to the top towers. The central tower is decorated with female divinities in niches. It is best visited at sunrise and sunset.