Phnom Sampov: Bats, Beauty & History

Phnom Sampov: Bats, Beauty & History
Phnom Sampov: Bats, Beauty & History 📍 Location 12km Southwest of Battambang. 💵 Entry Fee $3 USD (Site Ticket). 🦇 Bat Time Starts at 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM . Getting Up the Mountain The walk up is steep and hot. We highly recommend hiring a local motorbike taxi at the base (approx. $4 return) to take you to the caves and the summit. Phnom Sampov is the most famous landmark in Battambang. It is a site of stunning natural beauty, but also of deep tragedy. A visit here is a journey in three parts: The Killing Caves, The Temple Summit, and The Bat Exodus. A Journey in Three Parts 🕊️ 1. The Killing Caves (L'Ang Pnon) Halfway up the mountain lies a complex of caves used by the Khmer Rouge as execution sites. Victims were bludgeoned and pushed through a skylight in the cavern roof. Today, a reclining Buddha and a glass memorial filled with bones mark the spot. It is a quiet, somber place for reflection. 🐒 2. The Summit (Monkey Temple) At the very top, you will find a colorful pagoda and stunning views o…