WAT EK PHNOM

"You can hire a tuk-tuk for around £9 a day, or £6 half a day, and take an excursion into the lush countryside to see artisanal producers make incense, cotton kramas (traditional Cambodian checked scarves), rice paper, noodles, and rice wine. En route visit Angkorian-era temples such as crowd-free Ek Phnom and Wat Banan, and Mount Sampeau, site of the Killing Caves, where the Khmer Rouge dumped its victims bodies; at dusk watch millions of bats emerge for a cave."

Wat Ek Phnom is an Angkorian ruin located 11km outside of Battambang town which is certainly a great Battambang tourist attraction for any temple enthusiast or as a taster to anyone unfamiliar with the Angkor temples.

A winding village road set to a fine green backdrop leads you to Wat Ek Phnom. On the way you can stop at an old disused Pepsi factory evacuated by the Khmer Rouge, and also a local rice paper makers, where rice sheets are prepared to be used for spring rolls.
On arrival at the Wat Ek Phnom, an elaborate modern pagoda sits in front of the older ruin, on which the elements of time have taken their toll, yet the main towers still stand strong in this atmospheric site.
In the adjacent grounds is a huge white statue of a sitting Buddha guarded by peacock trees.

Wat Ek Phnom which was built in the 11th century during the reign of Soriyavaraman I (1002 – 1050), but now sits within the grounds of a modern pagoda.
The temple is surrounded by 18 bodhi trees.
The abundance of water in the form of lotus ponds, streams and the like give this place a relaxing feel. The temple is situated at the bottom of a hill, hence only limited exercise is required to reach them.