Wat Samrong Knong
Wat Samrong Knong is truly one of the best stopovers in Cambodia for visitors having a special taste for historical tourism. Here serves a myriad of out-of-this-world features that helps you get a deep insight into noticeable parts of Cambodia’s history.
Wat Samrong Knong is located nearly 6 km north of Battambang Province. The temple was established in the 19th century based on the site of a pre-Angkorian temple. Wat Samrong Knong is actually a temple complex including a wide range of buildings such as beautiful pagodas, striking ancient ruins, sparkling modern structures combined with funerary monuments. It is worth noticing that the temple once was taken controlled by the Khmer Rouge where approximately 10,000 people from local residents to war criminals were brutally executed in the Battambang area. Now the old temple, which once was used as a prison, is abandoned despite the fact that the exterior is still in a good condition.
The beauty of Wat Samrong Knong will satisfy all onlookers
A top-visited spot in Wat Samrong Knong you shouldn’t miss if you join the trip to here is definitely the memorial shrine. Just wandering outside the complex’s wall to the southwest, you will come across the shrine. This is a special and a bit horrifying structure which shows frightening bas-reliefs of deadly Khmer Rouge. Hold a deep breath before stepping into the shrine because it may shock you a lot for having a glass case containing a large number of skulls, whose are all the victim of Khmer Rouge’s brutality. In addition to this remarkable skull case is a two-tier base with reliefs in a block of concrete form that throws you back to the time the Khmer Rouge rules Cambodia with countless crimes, tortures and executions.
A horrifying glass case made from skulls of Khmer Rouge’s victims
A prominent way to get to Wat Samrong Knong is to cross the bridge over the Sangker River, which is 1.7km north of the ferry pier. Then, keep going north on the other side for 1.7km again and take the right side on a small road for nearly 500m to get to the final point of the temple. Remember that there is no admission fee to any spots at Wat Samrong Knong. The only cost for you is a donation if you wish, so it may give you a plus point for considering the temple complex a worth-a-visit destination in Cambodia.
Travelling to Wat Somrong Kong is unmissable as it brings all visitors a good chance for learning and reflecting about Cambodia history. Come here and the temple make sure not to let you down!
Ngo Cuong
Image Source: Internet
