Kampong Thom is a province located in the middle of Cambodia at the lower park of Tonle Sap lake and includes many historical sites containing temples and ruins.

The most famous pre-Ankorian ancient city in this area was Sambor Prei Kuk, housing about two hundred stone temples that were build during the reign of King Isanavarman from the Chenla Kingdom.After the demise of this Kingdom, Sambor Prei Kuk served as the capital of the Khmer Empire for many centuries. Before visiting the more popular Angkor complex, it is interesting to first visit this ancient city, as it laid the foundations to the Angkor civilization's design and building style.