Wat Hanchey in the Kampong Cham area pre dates many of the temples at Angkor. Originally built in the 7th Century but most of it has been rebuilt, although some parts still remain.
I was lucky enough to be staying at Hanchey Bamboo Resort (you can read about all the places I stayed here too) so it was pretty much next door. To access it from the Mekong river side there are 300 steps to climb before you get there. The views are well worth the trip up the steps though if you haven’t got any transport and admittedly it was quite easy to get lost on the Hanchey side and the roads weren’t great. Still, if my little moped can make it, anything can!
It is a very active temple and many young monks in training stay there. It’s a great sight to see them in their bright orange robes chanting or just resting out of the beating sun.
Originally built as a Hindu temple it transitioned into a Buddhist temple as time went by. Amazingly, a few of the structures survived the U.S.A bombing strikes and the Khmer Rouge’s savagery. There are also many shrines, pagodas and statues that have been added over the Centuries that sparkle in the sunlight. Most people would say the best time of day to visit is early morning or late afternoon when it is not so hot but I don’t mind the heat and find you get the places to yourself. It all depends on your tolerance to the climate I guess! Not one to miss in the Kampong Chan area, a feeling of calm and an added bonus; great views of the Mekong and surrounding areas! The monks are very approachable too if you want them to answer anything you might want to know about the temple or Buddhism in general. I found it a very friendly, scenic and relaxing temple.
©JKBeeson
Courtesy of Google Maps
