Tourist Attraction

Phnom Sampeo

Battambag is home to some spectacular sceneries, which makes walking, tramping, and sightseeing a must for any visitor. Numerous historic ruins are open to the public, one of which is Wat Ek Phnom which was built in the 11th century during the reign of Soriyavaraman I (1002 – 1050), but now sits within the grounds of a modern pagoda. The temple is surrounded by 18 bodhi trees. The abundance of water in the form of lotus ponds, streams and the like give this place a relaxing feel. The temple and ruins lie 10 kilometers north of the Cobra River, and are at the bottom of a hill, hence only limited exercise is required to reach them. For a more enduring experience, Phnom Banan is a mountaintop temple built in the Angkor period. The temple is still in relatively good condition, however pillaging and looting was once rife in the area, and the effects of this are noticeable. Nevertheless, this is an excellent sight to see, and any tourists to the area should be sure to check out at least a few of the many temples, as they certainly build a cultural and historical awareness. Other attractions worth a note are the Phnom Sampeou Mountain, the Kamping Puoy Reservoir - an incredible engineering project, Wat Pee-Pahd - an important symbol of Buddhism in Battambang, and the Gold Buddha Hill. As you can see, a tourist will not be lost for things to do in the province.