Ladder to the Top of Phnom Banan and Her Temple
Being not so far from Battambang Town, Phnom Banan
is surely one of the best natural tourism sites mostly during holiday and
weekend for family picnic travelling of local people as well as other tourists
from different places inside and outside of Cambodia. Tourists usually go there
through the road along Sangker River running from Battambang Town or now new
road linked national road 57A (old national road Nº 10) to this road in the
midway just travelling for the rest to Banan mountain. However, if all tourists
travel through the old road along Sangker River, there will be much more good
scenery to see like old ancient Khmer-style wooden houses, Sangker River and
other side river view, grape orchard, Pursat orange (most famous and tasty
fruit of Battambang) orchards, other orchards, pagodas, rice field, and so on.
Many sweet Khmer songs of the most famous singers before Pol Pot Regime were
written and sung describing the view in this area as well as Phnom Banan.
Today, new written songs were also sung describing these views, especially by a
new singer born in this area, SON Sreypich. Just a few hours, Phnom Banan could
be seen on the right hand side. Driving motorbikes or other vehicles, all
tourists would be much more comfortable with local suitable price parking lot. Being
in shade, everyone will surely satisfy this trip. Local sellers could provide
various delicious local foods to everyone. There are more renting kiosks for tourists
to take a rest enjoying picnic with family or friends; tourists could bring food
to the mountain top for eat and find a suitable place by yourself. Not only mountain,
ancient Khmer temple is here welcoming all travelers to visit and know the
history. A special thing here is for everyone to know. This mountain is the
strategic area for national defense against the enemy in the past; the underground
path was built starting from this mountain to far area of Thailand today. Ancient
lakes near mountain are also fascinating with lotus and other green plants. Today
this underground path was in the worst condition and could not use anymore. Techo
Damden was a national hero linking to the history with this mountain. Being in
the top of mountain, all tourists could visit the ancient five-top temple by
climbing the repaired stone ladder with ancient Naga and Lion statues at first.
Higher and higher under the tree shade, green view of the mountain as well as
large green rice field is amazing to see and memorize for life. A bit thirsty,
tourists could look back down seeing how many ladders you climb up and you will
do feel excited for that. There! On the mountain top, everyone could enjoy
seeing the remaining sculpture of this old broken temple and the view around
the mountain. You will know how hard ancient architects do to achieve this
architectural plan and how hard work local people do to build this stone
temple. The efforts of them remain for us as the cultural heritage bringing
daily revenues for both local people and country as the whole from national and
international tourism. “Taking a relax, coming to Banan mountain and
enjoying life with family and friends” “Loving fresh life, having a good
environmental protection habit” “Environmental protection could be done by
everyone’s efforts plus right place rubbish bin” “Do your best to bring
benefits for Cambodia as your birth nation!”
By: POK Panhavuth
Scenery at Phnom Banan and Surrounding Area
