Destinations Magazine

Around Battambang – Three Temples and a Train, Cambodia

By Sonyaandtravis @sonyaandtravis

Our second day in Battambang we decided to hire a scooter to explore some of the outer around Battambang regions.

Sonya and Travis on their scooter in Battambang

Killing caves of Phnom Sampeau

After arriving at Phnom Sampeau hill we first visited the killing caves, the killing caves was a natural cave with skylight opening that was used by the Khmer Rouge to toss victims through the skylight to their death.  Inside the cave are glass cased memorials of skulls and bones.

[Show as slideshow] Sleeping Buddha inside the  killing caves Shrine to those murdered, inside you can see the skulls Looking up towards the skylight of the killing caves

Wat Phnom Sapeau

[Show as slideshow] Gold sitting Buddha View from Phnom Sapeau hill looking towards Battambang Monkey statue found at Phnom Sapeau Temple
Statue sticking out of the lush canopy Man feeding a monkey a piece of fruit Monkey perched on a scooter
A young monk and three monkeys A monkey and a young monk resting A baby monkey at Phnom Sapeau Temple
Monks feeding some of the monkeys Two monks and two monkeys Monkey sitting in the lush canopy

Wat Banan

From Wat Phnom Sapeau we headed to Wat Banan which was an ancient temple situated on a hill near the Sangker River. Wat Banan has a five tower design similar to Angkor Wat, as well some well preserved stone carvings.

[Show as slideshow] Mythical lion statue at the start of the stairs A few of the stairs leading up to Banan Temple The temple structure of Wat Banan
One of the five corn-on-the-cob towers Sonya reading the LP with Wat Banan in the background Wat Banan was consecrated as a Buddhist temple
Graffiti on the cactus leaves Intricate Kala deity carved in the stone Entrance to one of the five temples

Bamboo Train

One of the more enjoyable experiences was the bamboo train. The bamboo train is a rudimentary train consisting of no more than two axels, a metal base lined with bamboo and an small engine. All components could be lifted with two persons, though the axels which they were lifting individually were extremely heavy. As it is a single track, the protocol for two trains going in opposite directions, meeting is for the least passengers and cargo to disembark and disassemble to allow the other train to parse.

[Show as slideshow] Approaching another bamboo train Reassembling the bamboo train after dismantle Our driver of the bamboo train
Our bamboo train driver waiting for the other train to pass Sonya looking out towards the tracks

Wat Phnom Ek

A ruined eleventh century temple with some well preserved stone carvings. Nearby is a newly built temple and sitting Buddha statue.

[Show as slideshow] Sitting Buddha statue Standing Buddha statues The new Buddha Temple at Phnom Ek
Magenta flower growing between the temples stones Some poorly preserved stone carvings Phnom Ek Temple in ruin
Entrance to one of the temples Phnom Ek Temple

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