Mueang Singh

We hired a songtaew driver for our last full day in Kanchanaburi to take us further afield into the province. We asked him to stop first at Mueang Singh Historical Park, which I actually went to a few years ago, but which hadn't left an impression on me because I didn't really know what it was or understand its significance.

the entrance to the main site

Mueang Singh, the Lion City, contains the ruins of two Khmer temples dating back to the 12th century, and marked one of the westernmost outposts of the ancient Angkor Empire.

the ruined wall

We arrived early in the morning, and it was still cool, with a dry breeze blowing in under cool cloud cover. It's just a small site, one fairly well-preserved structure, a few others which are more or less completely ruined.

The coolest thing is that you are allowed, even encouraged, to climb on and explore the inside of the ruins.

inside the main building

The site was built in the Bayon style, like some of the more famous temples in Siem Reap from the same era. If getting to Cambodia is too hard, it's almost like being at Angkor Wat, although on a much smaller scale.

Khmer-style wall

Besides the Angkor architecture, archaeologists at the site also uncovered a 10,000 year-old burial near the banks of the River Kwai with a pair of amazingly intact skeletons and burial goods. Most have been moved to the local museum for preservation, but you can stop by the burial site to pay your respects.

ancient skeletons

And, as always, River Kwai never fails to disappoint with beautiful views!

beautiful River Kwai

selfie at Muang Singh