Phnom Sorsia

Phnom Sorsia is a Buddhist hill complex in Kampot Province, southern Cambodia. It contains Buddhist cultural features approached by a staircase and a complex of karst caves. One cave Rung Damrey Saa ("White Elephant's Cave") has a stalagmite resembling the head of an elephant; another has a bat colony.[1] The gateway to the caves is marked by a pagoda, approximately 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from the main road.[2]

Phnom Sorsia
View of stalagmite cave like the ones you would find in the Phnom Sorsia hill (original picture is from a cave in the departement of Hérault, France)
Highest point
Coordinates10°33′57″N 104°17′02″E 
Geography
Phnom Sorsia
Location of Phnom Sorsia
LocationKampot Province, Cambodia

Geography

The complex is located about 11 miles (18 km) east of Kampot. It is accessed via a dirt road which veers from the NH33; signage refers to the site as the Phnom Sorsia Resort.[3] Phnom Sorsia, Phnom Chhnork, Kep, and Bokor National Park make up a popular day trip of the Kampot Province.[4]

The forest-covered hill has several limestone caves. The White Elephant Cave is so named as there are many stalagmites in the limestone formations which resemble white elephants.[3] East of Phnom Sorsia is the "Bat Cave", with a population of several thousand bats.[1] They come out to the surface through a narrow chimney-type passage, and are hunted by bamboo-wielding local residents who swat at them while they are airborne.[3] A concealed pool with cool water is approached through a hole. The vistas from the top of the mountain are of rice fields.

Culture

Phnom Sorsia is considered a holy hill. Steps have been carved in the slopes in a winding formation,[5] to reach both the top of the mountain and the White Elephant Cave. Cultural features include two Buddha statues to the right of the White Elephant Cave, a garishly painted temple, as well as a stupa on top of the hill.[3]

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References
  1. DK Travel Guides (1 June 2011). DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Cambodia & Laos. Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 115. ISBN 978-1-4053-4985-7.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Vater, Tom (29 December 2009). Moon Cambodia. Avalon Travel. pp. 164–. ISBN 978-1-59880-214-6. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  3. Nick Ray; Greg Bloom; Daniel Robinson (1 July 2010). Cambodia 7. Lonely Planet. pp. 229–. ISBN 978-1-74179-457-1. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  4. Williams, China (3 March 2010). Southeast Asia 15. Lonely Planet. pp. 121–. ISBN 978-1-74179-233-1. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  5. Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & the Greater Mekong. Lonely Planet. 2007. p. 244. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
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