Sacred Sites

The mysterious and enigmatic temples of Cambodia are from a lost civilization which prospered in this region many centuries ago. Like other civilizations which rose to great heights the Khmer empire disappeared leaving these faded and overgrown reminders of what must have been an enormous city complex. The grandeur, scale and areal extent of these temple complexes hints at the advanced lifestyle of this lost city and walking through the remains of these temples certainly leaves you with an intense and atmospheric feeling.

Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu-dera, known more fully as Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera is an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Heritage site. Kiyomizu-dera was founded in the early Heian period. The temple dates back to 798, and its present buildings were constructed in 1633, during a restoration ordered by the Tokugawa Iemitsu. Not one nail is used in the whole temple. It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills. Kiyomizu means clear water, or pure water. It was originally affiliated with the old and influential Hossō sect dating from Nara times. However, in 1965 it severed that affiliation, and its present custodians call themselves members of the "Kitahossō" sect.