Phnom Sampeou Mountain in Cambodia

Cambodia is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Southeast Asia. It is famous for many ancient historic destinations, special cuisine and unique culture. When traveling in Cambodia, you should visit Phnom Sampeou Mountain which contains many natural caves and grottos that have taken part in one of the most horrific genocides in human history in Cambodia,

Phnom Sampeou is a natural resort located along National Road 57 in Sampeou Commune, Battambang district, about 12 kilometers of Battambang city. Phnom Sampeou means “Ship Mountain” because its peculiar shape reminds of a ship. This legendary 100 meters high mountain, topped by Wat Sampeou, contains 3 natural caves, lined with Buddhist shrines and statues: Pkasla, Lakhaon and Aksopheak. Pkasla cave is full of uprooted stones and is considered important because Sampeou inhabitants go there to celebrate after a marriage. Actually there are several other “Killing Fields” across the country, and Sampeou Mountain is one of them. The Khmer Rouge executed thousands of people on the mountain, and many were thrown through the roof of the caves and left to die in the cold and dark. One of the caves has piles of skulls, bones and clothing of the victims who lost their lives here. Tours Indochina Cambodia

Phnom Sampeou Mountain
Phnom Sampeou Mountain

Phnom Sampeou rises from the rice paddies of Southwestern Cambodia to a height of only 2500 feet. Next to Phznom Sampeou are several important mountain clusters, including Phnom Kdaong, Phnom Krapeu (The Crocodile Mountain), Phnom Trung Moan, Phnom Trung Teat and Phnom Neang Romsay Sok. All are related to the Khmer Folktale titled Reachkol Neang Romsay Sok, “the girl who let down her hair”.  Many of the local geographic features are named after aspects of the legend, including Phnom Sampeou (Boat Mountain). Myanamar travel and tours

There is a cemented road which you can use to walk up or take a motoride to the summit
There is a cemented road which you can use to walk up or take a motoride to the summit

Phnom Sampeou is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the whole of Cambodia? And looking at it, it is not hard to see why. This attraction can be found 12 kilometers southwest of the city of Battambang and is steeped in history and legend. Phnom Sampeou is a name that every Cambodian will be familiar with, largely due to the legend of Rumsay Sok that is associated with the hillside. A visit to Phnom Sampeou essentially starts with a climb of 700 steps to the top. There is also a cemented road which you can use to walk up or take a motoride to the summit. Situated on the hilltop is a beautiful pagoda that gives breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. As well as the pagoda, which was actually used as a prison and torture centre during the time of the Khmer Rouge, there are a series of shrines and statues to be found along the way.

The beautiful view from summit of Sampeou Mountain to Khum Phnom Sampeou town, Cambodia
The beautiful view from summit of Sampeou Mountain to Khum Phnom Sampeou town, Cambodia

The site is not famous for its beautiful landscape, but the rather scary story behind the scenes. It is most likely that you will be visiting Phnom Sampeou to explore the natural caves and grottos that have taken part in one of the most horrific genocides in human history. If you are intending to travel in Cambodia, you should spend time on visiting Phnmom Sampeou Mountain to have wonderful and memorable experiences here.

Travel lovers.

Read more:

Blog Categories

Article Submission

If you would like to submit an article or a travel story, please contact:

[email protected]

Tripadvisor Reviews

Menu