Phnom Sampov & Bat Cave
ភ្នំសំពៅ
A hilltop temple overlooks the plains, the Killing Cave, a Khmer Rouge execution site, is halfway up, and at dusk millions of bats pour out of a cave at the foot of the hill.
Phnom Sampov lies about 12 kilometers southwest of the city center. Its limestone hill is dotted with temples and caves. The Killing Cave on the hillside was a site where people were executed during the Khmer Rouge period. The cave holds a memorial stupa containing human remains, and it is recommended to hire a local teenage guide for an explanation. From the temple at the summit, you can see rice fields and mountains in the distance. At dusk, at the Bat Cave on the north side at the foot of the hill, millions of wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats pour out for about half an hour, forming a long band across the sky. It is the most iconic sight in Battambang. You can walk up the hill or take a motorbike taxi (a few dollars), and the entry fee to the mountain is about US$1 to $2.
Opening hours
Open all day; hilltop temple approx. 06:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Prasat Phnom Banon Winery
- Bamboo Train (Norry)
- Wat Banan (Prasat Banan)
- Wat Kor Ancient Houses
- Bahá'í House of Worship, Battambang
- Wat Damrey Sor
- Battambang Railway Station
- Battambang Museum