Northwestern Cambodia - Cambodia - page 469

Khmer Rouge cadres and then thrown through the skylight above. Next to the base of the
stairway is the old memorial , a rusty cage made of chicken wire and cyclone fencing and
partly filled with human bones.
Every evening at dusk, a thick column of bats OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP pours out of a
massive cave high up on the north side of the cliff face. The mesmerising display lasts a
good 30 minutes as millions of bats turn the skies around Phnom Sampeau black. Near the
bat cave, a 30m-high Buddha is being carved out of the cliff face. Due to a lack of funds,
only the top of the Buddha's head has been liberated from the natural rock outcrop.
The road up to the summit is too steep for remork-motos . English-speaking moto
drivers can whisk you up for US$3 return, or take the stairs if you're in need of a workout.
Phnom Banan
Exactly 358 stone steps lead up shaded Phnom Banan, 23km south of Battambang, to
Prasat Banan (admission US$2) ; its five towers are reminiscent of the layout of Angkor Wat.
Indeed, locals claim it was the inspiration for Angkor Wat, but this seems an optimistic
claim.
Udayadityavarman II, son of Suryavarman I, built Prasat Banan in the 11th century, and
its hillside location offers incredible views across the surrounding countryside. There are
impressive carved lintels above the doorways to each tower and bas-reliefs on the upper
parts of the central tower. Many of this temple's best carvings are now in the Battambang
Museum ( Click here ) .
From the temple, a narrow stone staircase leads south down the hill to three caves ,
which can be visited with a local guide.