Wat Banan

King Udai Adityavarman II built the original Hindu temple of Wat Banan in 1050. Later on, it was transformed into a Buddhist temple by King  Jayavarman VII in 1219. The temple is constructed using sandstone and laterite. There is a 400-steps steep laterite staircase consisting of lintels with Naga statues at both ends. At the top is the temple with five tall towers with intricately carved lintels depicting mythological scenes from Hindu epics and many other details about the kings. Only some part of the temples remain preserved as most of it were ruined during the Khmer Rouge.

From the top, you can see amazing views of rural Cambodia comprising of rice and paddy fields, palm trees, Sanker river and surrounding mountains in the valley including the crocodile mountain to the south and Phnom Sampeau to the north. There are two wells Bit Meas and Chhung Achey near the river.

There is a cave at the foot of the mountain leading to the temple, which is also visited by the tourists. There is not much light inside, and usually, you'll find local children offering to guide and lead with torches for a small fee. You need to pass through a very narrow entrance to view series of stalactite and stalagmite formations hanging from the roof the caves.