Phnom Sampov Mountain
Phnom Sampov is a hill that has become a well-known natural site in Battambang district. Located along National Road 57, about 12 km from Battambang, the site offers visitors the chance to admire the stunning beauty of the surrounding plains once they reach the summit. Phnom Sampov is a site rich in content: temples, Buddha and warrior statues, and caves—one of which bears witness to the region’s painful past under the Khmer Rouge.
Visiting Phnom Sampov
Description
Phnom Sampov is a hill about 140 meters high, whose name translates to “ship-shaped mountain.” Indeed, from a distance, it resembles a ship. Today, Phnom Sampov is considered one of Cambodia’s most important religious sites. To reach the top, you’ll need to climb several steps. However, if you're not particularly sporty, you can take a motorbike up the new road near the hill. Once at the summit, you’ll have the opportunity to visit temples, shrines, numerous stupas, and caves. You’ll also find two artillery pieces—cannons used by the Cambodian government and Vietnamese forces during the war against the Khmer Rouge, which ended in 1996.
Activities
- Visit the religious shrines at the top of the hill
As Phnom Sampov is a Buddhist pilgrimage site, it features temples and stupas that are still in good condition at its summit. The most notable stupa is that of General Lon Nol’s wife. There is also the Rumsay Sok temple, which is tied to the legend of the hill. Several other shrines have been constructed at various points on the hill. Most of them were built in the 1960s.
Inside these temples and shrines are Buddha statues of all kinds, in various postures. The most striking is the large reclining Buddha, located inside one of the hill’s caves. You’ll also find a large standing Buddha preaching to his disciples.
- Explore the caves of Phnom Sampov Hill
- The Monkey Caves
The caves of Phnom Sampov are well worth the visit. However, be prepared to encounter monkeys everywhere. They inhabit the hill and feed on offerings left by pilgrims. These primates also have caves of their own. To access them, take the road behind the hill until you reach a fork, then follow the right-hand path to reach the caves.
- The Bat Cave
What will likely leave the biggest impression at Phnom Sampov is the bat cave. If you stay until sunset, you’ll witness thousands of bats flying out of the caves in an incredible display—an awe-inspiring moment for wildlife lovers (if the term still applies to flying mammals). The bats emerge at dusk to hunt insects in the countryside.
- The Killing Caves
Some of the caves at Phnom Sampov were used as execution sites by the Khmer Rouge. To access them, you’ll climb a 700-step staircase. While the view is spectacular, the history these caves hold is chilling. The bodies of victims from the region were thrown into these caves; others were brought there and killed on the spot. A memorial containing the skulls and bones of the victims has recently been erected near the caves.
- Landscape and Views
From the top of Phnom Sampov, you’ll get a breathtaking view of the entire Battambang region, with its vast rice fields. It’s also a beautiful place to walk around. Visitors can buy food and drinks at the base of the hill. You can even enjoy a picnic and stay until sunset to watch the bats in flight.
How to get there
To reach Phnom Sampov Hill, you first need to get to Battambang district. Located 300 km northwest of Phnom Penh, Battambang is connected to the capital via Highway No. 5, which skirts the western side of Tonlé Sap Lake. The journey between the two cities takes around five hours by car. You can travel by bus or hire a taxi. A bus ticket costs around $6 per person. If you prefer a private taxi, the fare is around $75. Alternatively, you can take a shared minivan from Phnom Penh. Once in Battambang, a tuk-tuk will take you to Phnom Sampov. The round-trip fare is approximately $10.
Opening hours
The hill is open to visitors every day, from morning until sunset.
