Wat Somraoung Knong is a Buddhist temple complex with a beautiful central sanctuary built in 1907, a large new temple that is nearing completion, and a memorial to thousands of Cambodians who were murdered at the site during the Khmer Rouge era.
As you approach the temple grounds, the charming, older pagoda exhibits a fusion of colonial and Khmer architecture, including wood-carved pediments and an entrance gate inspired by Angkor-era temples. The chedi surrounding it are built atop crumbling brick prasats that may date to this earlier era.
After appreciating the older temple, if you wander back towards the larger, newer temple and turn right on the far side of the small pond you will come to the Well of Shadows. During the Khmer Rouge era the temple was used as a prison and interrogation facility, which resulted in the deaths of more than 10,000. In addition to the glass tower of human remains discovered on the temple grounds, the memorial features bas-reliefs of the horrific torture and execution that was carried out by the murderous regime.
If exploring this area of Batdambang you may wish to visit the ruins of Prasat Basseat, an11th-century temple consigned by Suryavarman I. The road to Prasat Basseat is quite rough, but it is located amidst bucolic countryside and you are likely to be the only visitors.
While the temple is mostly ruined and overgrown, it was nearly completely dismantled by the Khmer Rouge who planned to make a dam with the temple’s sandstone blocks. Supposedly, spirits inhabiting the temple cast misfortune on the Khmer Rouge soldiers who were sufficiently frightened to abandon their destruction of the temple.
Getting There
While not far from Batdambang, Wat Somraoung and Prasat Basseat are best visited with a guide as the narrow, winding roads to the northeast of Batdambang are pleasant but can be confusing; arrange transportation from your hotel or the tourist-information-office as there are no signs and few locals in the vicinity of the temples can speak English well or even know the way.
Need to Know
- What is It?: A charming Buddhist temple with an unfortunate history and a Angkor-era ruin.
- When to Go: Any time.
- Nearest Town: Wat Somraoung Knong is about 2.2 miles NE (as the crow flies) of Batdambang. Prassat Basseat lies about 5 miles (9km) from Norea, a small village NE of Batdambang, which can be reached by bus from Phnom Penh in 4-5 hours, from Siem Reap (bus: 3 hours or boat: 7-10 hours), or from the Poipet and the Thai border (2 hours).
- Don’t Miss: The charming century-old vihear at Wat Somraoung Knong and neighboring killing fields memorial, the Well of Shadows.
- Trivia: The remains of 10,008 victims were recovered on the grounds of Wat Somraoung Knong.
- Opening hours: Standard daylight hours
- Entrance fees: If there is a guard at Prasat Basseat, there may be a $2 entrance fee.