🛕 Wat Banan
វត្តបាណន
Also known as: Phnom Banan
Province
Battambang
Era
Classical Angkorian
Difficulty
🟠 Challenging
Crowds
😌 Low Crowds
Key Facts
Built: 11th century
Built by: King Udayadityavarman II
Religion: Hindu
Entry Fee: $2
Time Needed: 1.5–2 hours
Battambang's "mini Angkor Wat" — five towers atop a 400-meter hill with vine-covered ruins and sweeping valley views.
Wat Banan, often called "Battambang's Angkor Wat," sits atop Phnom Banan, a 400-meter hill in Battambang Province. The temple features five towers arranged in a quincunx pattern (like Angkor Wat) on a hilltop platform, reached by a steep 358-step staircase flanked by naga balustrades. The five partially ruined towers retain carved lintels and decorative elements, while vegetation has begun to reclaim parts of the structure, creating an atmospheric setting. The panoramic views from the summit over the Sangker River valley and surrounding countryside are spectacular. Below the hill, a cave system with stalactites and stalagmites can also be explored.
Highlights
- ✦ Five towers resembling Angkor Wat
- ✦ 358-step hilltop climb
- ✦ Panoramic Sangker River valley views
- ✦ Vine-covered atmospheric ruins
- ✦ Cave system below the hill
- ✦ Far off the tourist trail
Best Time to Visit
Early morning to avoid heat; dry season for the climb
Visitor Tips
- 💡 358 steep steps — bring water
- 💡 Located 22 km south of Battambang city
- 💡 Combine with Phnom Sampeau and the Killing Caves
- 💡 Local children often serve as volunteer guides — a small tip is appreciated
Nearby Temples
12.9833°N, 103.1333°E
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