Wat Samarong Knong

Wat Samrong Knong is a massive temple where the Well of Shadows can be found. This is a reference to the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge era. A stupa containing victims’ bones and memorial is on the temple grounds as well.

Location

Wat Samrong Knong is at 153, Krong Battambang, about a 15-minute drive from the Battambang Airport.

Opening Days and Hours

Wat Samrong Knong opens daily from 07:00 to 19:00.

Entry Fee and Bookings

It is free to enter the temple.

How to Get There

The temple might be a bit hard to find so it is recommended for visitors to take a tuk-tuk or motoride to Wat Samrong Knong instead of going there on a scooter yourself.

Suggested For

Wat Samrong Knong is suitable for people who are interested temple architecture, including small groups of friends, families with kids, couples, and backpackers.

Time to Spend

Most visitors spend about 2 to 3 hours exploring the temple grounds.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

The temple is not very well-known amongst international tourists, so it almost never gets crowded except during local festivals. The best time to visit Wat Samarong Knong is during sunrise and sunset for beautiful photo opportunities.

Activities

Sitting on a smaller hill, it takes less effort to get to Wat Samrong Knong compared to other temples that are usually located on top of bigger hills. Locals come for pilgrimage during festivals and there is a small museum to keep you occupied.

Food

Small, family-run stalls selling refreshments can be found nearby. If you are interested in tasting Khmer food, head over to Suon Tuonh.

Nearby Attractions

The old Pepsi plant is 20 minutes away by tuk-tuk. Try Cambodian cheese or prahoc at its factory located about 15 minutes away by tuk-tuk.

Stay

Battambang offers a wide choice of accommodation options, including budget guesthouses.

Good to Know

Wat Samrong Knong undergoes construction and restoration work from time to time and will be closed for to the public then. Therefore, you should check with the tourism centre before heading there.

A trip to Cambodia is never complete without a visit to a Wat (temple). Wat Leu is one of Sihanoukville’s five main temples and is located on top of a hill surrounded by forests. Marvel at the Wat built to resemble pagodas with beautifully carved statues and walls, all of which create a sacred ambiance.

Location

Wat Leu is in Krong Preah Sihanouk, near the city centre.

Opening Days and Hours

Wat Leu opens daily from 07:00 to 23:00.

Entry Fee and Bookings

Entrance to the temple is free, but you can also give a small donation at your discretion.

How to Get There

Wat Leu is easily accessible by taxi or tuk-tuk from the city centre. You can also rent a bike or scooter to get there.

Suggested For

Wat Leu is a religious site and suits visitors consisting of families with kids, small groups of friends, young couples, seniors, and backpackers.

Time to Spend

An hour is usually sufficient to explore the temple.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

Wat Leu is slowly gaining popularity among Sihanoukville visitors. To enjoy the best view, visit the temple just before sunset to see the sky turn different shades of colours against the glistening temple.

Food

No food stalls are available on the temple grounds and you will need to head back to the foot of the hill to buy something to eat.

Nearby Attractions

You may want to drop by Wat Kraom, which is at the foot of the hill or head to Independence Beach (15 minute-drive).

Stay

Budget guesthouses, mid-range hotels, and resorts are available nearby the temple.

Good to Know

You should adhere to the dress code of visiting religious sites and be respectful.

Built in the 11th century, Wat Ek Phnom is an ancient temple with an enormous white-stone sitting Buddha statue. Surrounded by bodhi trees, the temple offers a serene experience and an opportunity to see the bas-relief and lintels referencing Hinduism. An elaborate, modern pagoda is also constructed on its grounds.

Location

Wat Ek Phnom is about 20 minutes away from Battambang city.

Opening Days and Hours

Wat Ek Phnom opens daily from 07:00 to 19:00.

Entry Fee and Bookings

Entrance fee to the Wat Ek Phnom is USD 2 per person.

How to Get There

Options to get to Wat Ek Phnom from the Battambang city centre include taking a tuk-tuk, motoride or even renting your own scooter.

Suggested For

The temple is a great place to visit for anyone who appreciates beautiful ancient architecture including couples, families with kids, backpackers, groups of friends, and seniors.

Time to Spend

Most visitors spend about 2 to 3 hours at the temple.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

Wat Ek Phnom is very popular, especially during Cambodian public holidays. The best time to visit Wat Ek Phnom is in the early morning and evening.

Activities

More than just a temple visit, you can do a number of things here, such as having your fortune told, picnic by the big lake, or renting a peddle boat. The place is a popular site for wedding proposals too!

Food

A few stalls nearby sell refreshments. Most visitors would also arrange to visit the nearby Rice Paper and Spring Roll, some 10 minutes away by tuk-tuk to sample the food there.

Nearby Attractions

Most tourists also visit Wat Baset, about 5 minutes away by tuk-tuk with their trip to Wat Ek Phnom.

Stay and Fraud

Areas near the lake can be quite slippery, so you may want to watch your steps especially after a rain.

Stay

Battambang offers a wide choice of accommodation options, such as budget guesthouses. For a unique experience, you can opt to stay in an ancient house that has been converted into a homestay.

Each temple in Battambang has its own uniqueness. For Wat Baydamram, it is due to the fact that the temple is an enormous Bodhi tree, making it home to many fruit bats. These bats are under the protection of the monks who live there.

Location

Wat Baydamram is about 15 kilometres south of Battambang city.

Opening Days and Hours

Wat Baydamram opens daily from 07:00 to 19:00.

Entry Fee and Bookings

It is free to enter the temple.

How to Get There

The most convenient way to get to Wat Baydamram is by catching a tuk-tuk or motoride from Battambang city.

Suggested For

The temple is great for anyone who wants to see a unique temple including small groups of friends, families with kids, backpackers, couples, and seniors.

Time to Spend

Most people spend about 2 hours exploring the temple grounds.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

As this temple is not very well-known amongst international visitors, it almost never gets crowded. The best time to visit is at sunset when the bats are active.

Food

A few food stalls are available that sell refreshments nearby. A must-try is the shaved ice with different jellies.

Nearby Attractions

You may want to visit Prassat Banan Vineyard, 10 minutes away by tuk-tuk, for wine tasting, and Wat Ek Phnom, which is about 15 minutes away by tuk-tuk.

Stay

Battambang offers a wide choice of accommodation options, such as budget guesthouses. Another option is to ask the monks if you can join them for one night to experience their highly disciplined lifestyle at the monastery.

Good to Know

If you want to get close to the tree where the bats live, you should bring an umbrella to shield you from any bat droppings.

Located on top of a hill with about 400 steep steps, Wat Banan is a temple ruin that features mid 11th to 12th-century architecture in Battambang. Although it is not as famous nor majestic as Angkor Wat, the ruins of Wat Banan is still impressive and is said to be a prototype of Angkor Wat. The Magic Cave can also be found nearby, where legend has it that if a golden drop from the cave falls on your head, you will be blessed with the knowledge of the past, present, and future.

Location

Wat Banan is at Kon Tey 2 commune, Ba Nan District, about 22 kilometres from Battambang town.

Opening Days and Hours

Wat Banan opens daily from 07:00 to 19:00 7.00. However, it is advisable to allot sufficient time for ascending and descending the flight of stairs before it gets dark.

Entry Fee and Bookings

Entrance to Wat Banan costs USD 2 per person.

How to Get There

The most convenient way to get to Wat Banan is via a tuk-tuk or motoride from Battambang city.

Suggested For

The attraction is best suited for people who are physically fit as you will need to hike up many steps. Most visitors to Wat Banan are small groups of friends, young couples, and backpackers.

Time to Spend

Most people spend about 2 to 3 hours exploring the site.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

Wat Banan is not very well-known to international tourists, hence, it is never very crowded. The best time to visit is early in the morning before the temperature gets unbearably hot in the afternoon.

Food

Food options are limited here, as there are only two or three stalls selling refreshments nearby.

Nearby Attractions

You may want to visit Prassat Banan Vineyard for some wine tasting (10 minutes away via tuk-tuk) or Phnom Sampeau which is about a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride away.

Stay

Battambang offers a wide choice of accommodation options, including budget guesthouses.

Good to Know

Bring ample water and insect repellant. Some visitors also bring along isotonic drinks and energy bars to help replenish their energy while going up the stairs.

Samathi Pagoda is a Buddhist temple built at an altitude of 800 metres above sea level in Kep province. It is well maintained and full of impressive statues and artistic paintings. The scenic viewpoint on top of the hill can simply take your breath away!

Location

The pagoda is located about 7.5 kilometres south of Kep town and was built on a hill in Kep National Park. It is also about 110 kilometres east of Sihanoukville International Airport.

Opening Days and Hours

Samathi Pagoda is open daily. Visitors can access the pagoda by taking the main trail in Kep National Park, which opens from 09:00 to 17:00.

Entry Fee and Bookings

Admission to this attraction is free.

How to Get There

You can take a short 10 to 15 minute tuk-tuk or motorcycle ride from Kep to reach the site. This will take you to the entrance of the pagoda. From here, you will have to walk uphill on a steep stairway, which leads up to the pagoda.

Suggested For

The attraction is suitable for families with children, solo travelers, backpackers, groups of friends, young couples, and nature lovers looking for a spectacular view. Buddhist visitors can spend some quiet time to pray and meditate in the pagoda too.

Time to Spend

Visitors usually spend half a day getting to the pagoda and enjoy a relaxing time in this area.

Food

Kep town offers a number of dining options and food choices. It is also particularly famous for fresh seafood straight from the sea.

Nearby Attractions

Kep Crab Market: This market is about 6 kilometres away and around a 15 to 18-minute drive from the pagoda.
Kep Beach: The beach is about 5 kilometres away and merely a 15-minute drive from the pagoda.
Kep National Park: You can take the opportunity to explore the national park, as Samanthi Pagoda is located within its grounds.

Stay

Many lodging options are available just a short distance away in Kep town. The choice greatly varies from affordable guesthouses to luxury hotels or resorts, which suit different budgets and requirements of visitors.

Good to Know

A good pair of shoes appropriate for walking on jungle trails is recommended. Bring along water, snacks, and mosquito/insect repellent too.

The Ulun Danu Temple sits at the edge of the majestic Baratan Lake in the Bedugul area. It is dedicated to the goddess of the lake and allows you to see stunning architecture in a secluded and serene setting. A trip here will allow you to admire the shrines to different gods that the temple is dedicated to and also other areas such as the ornate carved gates.

Location

The Ulun Danu Temple is located in the Bedugul area, Candikuning Village in the Tabanan regency. It is approximately 45 kilometres from the centre of Tabanan or 55 kilometres from Denpasar, the capital city of Bali.

Opening Days and Hours

The Ulun Danu temple is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00. However, the temple will be closed earlier when the area gets too foggy.

Entry Fee and Bookings

Entrance fee costs IDR 7,500 (USD 0.52) for adult locals and IDR 10,000 (USD 0.70) for adult foreigners, plus a car park fee of IDR 5,000 (USD 0.35).

How to Get There

You can get to Ulun Datu temple via a car or taxi, and travel time takes around 2 hours. A parking area is available.

Suggested For

The Ulun Danu Temple is suitable for people of all ages, especially those interested in photography as this spot is absolutely beautiful and one of Bali’s best known sights. This is also a fun spot for children as there is a playground in this area.

Time to Spend

Ulun Danu Temple is a historical site where you can get more to know about Bali’s history and enjoy views of the Baratan Lake. Most people spend 1 to 2 hours here.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

The best time to go to Ulun Danu Temple is in the morning to avoid the fog which sometimes covers the temple.

Food

Cafes and restaurants that serve local and western food can be found in the temple area, but note that these establishments can get rather busy during lunch time.

Nearby Attractions

Bedugul Botanical Garden is just 300 meters from the temple
Handara Golf Resort Bali is 3.5 kilometres away and can be reached by car in 7 minutes

Stay

A few accommodation options can be found in the Ulun Danu Temple area such as hotels and villas.

Good to Know

Respect the rules of the temple as this is a Hindu place of worship, and refrain from littering in the area.