Phnom Sampeau
The spectacular view from the 100-metre high summit and a massive colony of bats flying out of a cave makes Phnom Sampeau an interesting tourist site that you do not want to miss!
Phnom Sampeau means ‘ship mountain,’ which is fitting as this majestic limestone mountain is shaped like a ship. Riddled with caves while crowned by a beautiful pagoda and shrines, this mountain offers a breathtaking view from the top.
Location
Phnom Sampeau is about 12 kilometres away from the city of Battambang.
Opening Days and Hours
Phnom Sampeau opens daily from 08:30 to 17:00.
Entry Fee and Bookings
The entry fee to Phnom Sampeau is USD 3 per person.
How to Get There
You can take a tuk-tuk to the base of Phnom Sampeau then climb up 700 steps to the summit. You can also walk the cemented road up or take a motoride for about USD 4.
Suggested For
Phnom Sampeau is mainly for nature lovers. It suits visitors consisting of small groups of friends, young couples, and backpackers with a reasonable level of fitness.
Time to Spend
Most people spend about half a day at the mountain.
Popularity and Best Time to Go
The best time to visit Phnom Sampeau is in the early morning or late afternoon when the light and stunning views are at their best.
Activities
There are many different activities available here. You can challenge yourself to climb up the flight of stairs with 700 steps or explore some of the caves. See bats take flight out of their cave at the base of the mountain to hunt for food, or visit the monastery at the summit to see the reclining Buddha.
Food
You can find a few restaurants near the mountain’s ticketing office.
Safety and Fraud
Some monkeys in the area are known to be rather aggressive so try to stay clear of them. The slopes are steep so be careful while hiking.
Nearby Attractions
You can ride on the bamboo train, most likely the only one in the world, from a station about 20 minutes away by tuk-tuk. If you are visiting on a Monday or Thursday evening, you can want to visit a circus better known as Phare Ponleu Selpak (10 minutes away by tuk-tuk).
Stay
You can choose from budget hostels, mid-range accommodation to luxury hotels in Battambang city.
Good to Know
You might come across some bones along the way and in the cavern. These bones belong to the victims of Khmer Rouge. The Killing Cave and Bat Cave are on the same hill.