AKP Phnom Penh, May 18, 2026 —

Indian Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung, joined by his family, visited the historic Phnom Sampov scenic spot on Sunday evening—one of the crown jewels of Cambodia’s northwestern Battambang province.

The delegation was warmly received by Battambang Governor H.E. Sok Lou, who personally briefed the ambassador on the province’s infrastructure push. He spotlighted a newly completed public park designed to offer visitors a front-row seat to the area’s legendary bat flights at dusk. The governor also shared future development plans aimed at boosting both domestic and international tourism.

Impressed by the site’s natural beauty, unique charm, and deep cultural roots, Ambassador Bawitlung voiced high appreciation for the destination.

Local tourists echoed that sentiment, praising the provincial administration’s upgrades for making the scenic spot noticeably more attractive and welcoming for return visits.

Known as the "tourism heart" of Battambang, Phnom Sampov draws a daily stream of travellers from across Cambodia and around the world. Local officials emphasised its status as a must-visit destination, thanks to a rich blend of ecological wonder and historical significance.

Located in Banan district along National Road 57—just 12 kilometres from Battambang town—the mountain is famous for its breathtaking evening spectacle: millions of bats spiraling out from cave openings in synchronised, ribbon-like formations across the twilight sky, a natural phenomenon that continues to captivate global visitors.

By K. Rithy Reak