Wat Kirisan is a relatively modern temple with an interesting location at the entrance of a large limestone cave.
The karsts of the cave tower above the main pagoda, while a network of underground tunnels leads into and around the cave within.
Visitors are able to explore the cave themselves but there are ‘guides’ on hand to ensure your safety (or provide a flashlight so you don’t bump your head). While guides and touts gather at the temple outside the cave, the quality and reliability of their services varies quite markedly. Unfortunately, there is no real way of judging quality before paying; pick the one with the best flashlight if you haven’t brought your own.
Regardless of your selection, a “bad” guide is better than no guide, especially once you are deep inside the darkness of the cave with its jagged terrain underfoot. Visitors have a hard time entering the cave without taking up the services of a guide in any case, as they tend to be extremely persistent.
If you’d rather not be bothered, you can enjoy the temple without having to enter the cave: a large reclining Buddha is situated inside the temple and most visitors who travel to the temple of Wat Kirisan come here specifically to see it.
Getting There
Buses and share-taxis arrive in Kampong Trach district from all parts of Cambodia, including Phnom Penh, though visiting on a rental motorbike or motodop taxi from Kampot is the standard method. Border crossings in either direction (Vietnam-Cambodia) are subject to security directives.
Need to Know
- What is it? A temple in southeastern Cambodia with natural cavernous formations and passageways.
- Opening hours: 05:00 to 15:30, daily.
- Entrance fees: $1
- Where: in the southeastern Cambodian district of Kampong Trach.