BATTAMBANG
8 DESTINATIONS YOU MUST CHECK IN BATTAMBANG
Battambang, a province in the West of Cambodia and is 291km from Phnom Penh, is Cambodia’s second biggest town located in the southwest of Tonle Sap Lake. Unlike other touristy towns, it still remains a very local and provincial atmosphere: low buildings in French colonial architecture, rice paddies, farmland and main streets shared by cars and horse carts. It is a nice option when to take a Cambodia tour package.At this laid-back town, you can get a refreshing change from touristy Siem Reap. Also, Battambang is a pleasant place to explore in one or two days on foot and forms a great base for visiting the nearby temples and villages.
1.BANAN TEMPLE
- Distance: 25 kilometers from the provincial town
This Angkor-era mountaintop temple is definitely worth a look. At the top are beautiful views of the winding Sangker River set amidst sugar palm trees, rice fields and small villages. To the south you will see a mountain range that features a crocodile shaped mountain. The temple itself is beautiful looking from the ground as well as the top. The structures are pretty much intact, but unfortunately like so many Khmer ruins, they have fallen victim to massive looting. Still, there are some interesting works to see. There are five temple structures, like Angkor, with the middle being the largest.
As with Preah Vihear Temple (close to the Thai border in the province of the same name), there are a couple of big guns on the mountaintop next to the ruins. The guns are still pointing down at the surrounding area as they were during the more recent years of the government-Khmer Rouge skirmishes.It’s part of the sad irony of Cambodia that a place built for worship, harmony and tranquility was utilized as a place for making war. Looking down the hillside to the southwest you can see more of the ruins.
2.WAT EK PHNOM
- Distance: 11th-century temple situated 13km north of Battambang
Highlights – Constructed by King Suryavarman I during the 11th century, the remnants of the temple can be accessed through a huge Buddhist pagoda, circled by 18 Bodhi trees. This pagoda, in turn, can be accessed through a path that also houses the massive white-stoned Buddha statue. The bas-reliefs found on the remnants of this temple relate to tales pertaining to the Hindu God, Krishna. Intricately carved lintels and pediments are the major highlights here.
Location – Situated close to Peam Aek spot, towards the left bank of River Sangkae, about 13km towards the north of Battambang.
Timings – All through the day.
Price – USD2 entry fee per person.
3.BATTAMBANG MUSEUM
- Distance: 25 kilometers from the provincial town
This petite provincial museum has been given a full makeover thanks to the generous support of Friends of Khmer Culture (FOKC; www.khmerculture.net) and now has state-of-the-art lighting and detailed signage in English and Khmer. There are some beautiful Angkorian lintels and elegant statuary from all over Battambang Province, including pieces from Prasat Banan and Sneng. There is also a detailed introduction to the pre-Angkorian Neolithic period of cave-dwelling in Laang Spean Cave.
Battambang’s Museum is not as well blessed with exhibits as its counterparts in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, however it still houses a treasure trove of beautifully sculpted lintels and other substantial artifacts from all over Battambang Province, including pieces from Phnom Banan and Sneng, as such it should be a definite stop on anyone’s visit to Battambang. Two particularly interesting pieces are a 13th century statue of a Bodhisattva ‘tattooed’ with a thousand Buddhas, and a well worn depiction of Yama on a buffalo.
4.WHITE ELEPHANT PAGODA
This is one of the most important tourists spots in Battambang. Dedicated to Lord Buddha, this temple blows away the minds of tourists with its excellent architecture. Compared to the other Angkor temples in Cambodia, this is quite a new temple, as it was constructed in the mid of 19th century. However, certain parts of the temple are slowly getting destroyed.
Highlights – White Elephant Pagoda, also known as Wat Tahm –rai-saw, is a temple which has huge, life-size sculptures of white elephants carrying portraits of a prince, as depicted in the story of Lord Buddha. This is one of the modern temples that need to be visited for the sheer architectural brilliance employed here.
Location – Battambang, Cambodia.
Timings – Open throughout the day, but best visited during day light.
Price – Admission is free of cost
5.BAT CAVES
When you visit Battambang, one of the places that you just cannot afford to miss is the bat caves at the base of Mount Sampeou. This is one of the top most tourist attractions here, which is why you can spot many foreigners around these caves. They are also known as Killing Caves.
Highlights – Bats, as we know, are nocturnal birds. Every evening, especially after sunset, you can witness thousands of bats fly out these caves into the woods nearby. You can continue to watch this spectacle for about 40 minutes, as that’s the time required for all the bats to fly out. However, it is best to leave within ten minutes, if you don’t want to put your lives at risk. There lots of bikes available to take you to the top of the mountain and back to the base at the evening, just in time for bat-spotting.
Location – Battambang.
Timings – Only in the evenings
Price – Around USD3 for trekking up the hill.
6.PHNOM SAMPEU KILLINGS CAVE
- Distance: 11 kilometers from Battambang
The cave is located halfway up a mountain which is dotted with beautiful wats, statues, and lookout points over the village below. Macaque monkeys roam the mountainside, and millions of bats can be seen at dusk. Stairways snake up the mountain and back down again into limestone caves and canyons.
One of these caves is the Killing Cave.
The descent into the cave is quite beautiful – the rock is covered in green vegetation and low-hanging vines. The cave is quite large inside, and a huge golden Buddha reclines in the center of the room. But at the bottom of the stairway sits a chicken-wire cage full of bones. The atrocities that took place in this beautiful spot suddenly become very present. To the right is another memorial of human remains, these encased in a glass box.
These are the bones of the doctors, teachers, men, women and children killed by the Khmer Rouge here at this cave. At the top of the cave is the natural skylight which the Khmer Rouge marched people to, lining them up, then bludgeoning them and letting their bodies fall into the darkness below.
Today a mix of mostly Cambodian tourists mills around the cave, and people sing and take pictures. It is a surprisingly jovial atmosphere considering the horror of what took place. But as many Cambodians will explain to you, joy is the best way to move past tragedy.
7.BATTAMBANG CROCODILE FARM
Battambang, one of the biggest cities in Cambodia is known for housing many tourist attractions. Crocodile Farm is one of them.
Highlights – The crocodile farm is one of the must-visit places for any animal lover. When you pay the necessary admission fee, you will be able to hold baby crocodiles in your hands – a one of a kind experience in your lifetime. Though there are lots of crocodile farms are found in Cambodia, this is one of the famous of the group. When crocodiles grow to a particular age, they are killed by giving injections and various products using their skin are sold in the local markets here. When you come here you will get introduced to the day to day lifestyle and feeding patterns of these crocodiles.
8.KAMPING PUOY LAKE
Kamping Puoy Lake
Kamping Puoy is a reservoir located around 30km from the town of Battambang accessible by a new road. The trip out here is part of the attraction as it passes through some stunning countryside. Once at the reservoir there are a number of food and drink stalls to rest at and it is possible to charter a boat to take you out on the lake and maybe visit some of the people who live in stilt houses.
It is a fabulous lake famous for its giant lotus flowers which a social project named Samatoa use to make an extraordinary fabric. Take a boat ride through the lotus flowers and ask for a free visit to the lotus center. You will discover a unique process to spin and weave the lotus fibers to make a new organic fabric. These activities employ more than 20 underprivileged women around the lake. Back in the center of Battambang visit their tailor workshop on road 2, No 111.
ALL THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO BATTAMBANG
When it comes to travel, I’m optimistic, and, to be up front, I do think most places are worth the trip, if only for you to comprehend what you actually enjoy in a city in the first place. However, in the case of Battambang, I feel especially strongly about this, largely because so many people swoop into to the country to just see Angkor Wat, then catch a flight out of Siem Reap the next day.
Battambang is notably different from both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and deserves its own moment in the sun. The question is, how can you best take advantage of a visit?
BATTAMBANG HISTORY
In 1795 Thailand annexed much of northwestern Cambodia including the provinces of Battambang and Siem Reap and Thai rule lasted until 1907 when the province was ceded to the French to be part of their Indochina colony.
Much of the architecture still seen today in the center of the town dates from the first half of the twentieth century. Development was halted by the Second World War when Battambang once again fell under Thai administration but continued rapidly after Independence in 1953.
Battambang suffered much the same as the rest of the country under the Khmer Rouge – the city was evacuated as the population was moved to the countryside where many people died.
The city was liberated by the Vietnamese a week after the fall of Phnom Penh on 13th January 1979 but the Khmer Rouge continued to fight on in the northwest of the province only suspending hostilities in 1996. During this period the city was off limits to most visitors as it was on the front line in the war against the Khmer Rouge. Typically the government forces would push the Khmer Rouge back towards Pailin in the dry season only to cede most of the gains once the monsoon rains came.
After 1996 Battambang was at peace for the first time in decades and experienced some growth. However, it is only until very recently that tourists have come to the city in any numbers – most of the minefields have now been cleared and the main roads have been rehabilitated.
BATTAMBANG TRANSPORTATION
Plane
Forget it. Battambang technically does have an airport but at this stage, there are no flights to or from the city, as no locals will pay for airfares when buses are so cheap.
Train
Despite persistent claims to the contrary, there is no train service between Battambang and Phnom Penh. There once was one train per week that took anywhere up to 24 hours to make the 300km journey, but this was discontinued in 2007.
Speed Boat
During the rainy season, it’s a good alternative to the shared taxi. The road from Siem Reap to Sisophanis is quite lousy. Therefore, it’s best to take the opportunity of a nice and relaxing boat trip.
The dry season eventually makes this impassable as the river water level goes down. Departing from Siem Reap taking the 7 am a boat, you’ll arrive at Battambang about 10:30 am. The cost is around US$ 10-15 per person, depending on demand.
So it’s negotiable. Departing from Phnom Penh taking the 7-8am boat, you’ll arrive at Battambang around 3-4pm. The cost is around US$ 16-22 per person.
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THE BEST THING TO SEE & DO IN BATTAMBANG
- Take a trip on the bamboo train
- Go to the circus
- Visit the Bat caves
- Explore the city
- Get a massage
- Visit an art gallery
- Take a river cruise
- Shop at the night market
HOW TO GET BATTAMBANG
From Siem Reap:
Battambang and Siem Reap are two of the nicest spots that Northwestern Cambodia has to offer, and each is worth visiting. Battambang and Siem Reap are only 48 miles (77 km) apart, but the trip can take as long as four hours due to the fact that there’s no direct road–all of the buses route through Sisophon — and up to eight hours by boat. How to get from Siem Reap to Battambang (and vice-versa) in 2020, including boat, taxi, and bus.
From Phnom Penh
Over the past year or so there have been some major changes in how to get from Phnom Penh to Battambang (and from Battambang to Phnom Penh). From fantastic new bus companies to the very best taxi services, it has never been easier to get from one city to the other.
Taxis from Phnom Penh to Battambang
If you’re looking for a bit of comfort during your trip, then a private taxi is your best option. The journey will take approximately 6 hours in total and there is some absolutely stunning scenery along the way.
Buses from Phnom Penh to Battambang
There are many bus companies offering economy and VIP buses between Battambang and Phnom Penh. Although companies such as Giant Ibis and Mekong Express used to be the only services a few years ago, there are now several fantastic options including Virak Buntham, Bayon VIP, Meanchey VIP, and Cambodia Post VIP.
Although you will see Wi-Fi advertised, if you do actually have a connection it will be very slow and unreliable.
BEST COFFEE IN BATTAMBANG
Coffee lovers shouldn’t miss Cambodia’s best coffee at cute Café Kinyei, a social enterprise aimed at providing training and employment for young locals, on dusty Street 1½ in the heart of the old city. Set in a renovated colonial-era Chinese shop-house, the compact café is decorated with rustic wooden furniture and flowers on the tables. This is where you’ll find smiling 19 year-old Sakana, Cambodia’s 2013 Barista Champion, making her award-winning Cambodian Cappuccino with pineapple syrup, palm sugar and frothy coconut milk. The café also serves up Battambang’s best cheese toasties.
BATTAMBANG TRAVEL TIPS
Phsar Nath, In the centre of the town is the main Phsar (traditional market) and is geared to the locals, sporting the usual variety of fruits, vegetables, meat, clothes, sundries, food stalls, etc.
Gem dealers A couple of banks, photo shops and moneychangers line the streets that ring the Phsar. Phsar Leu, just south of town, seems to be the place to buy the local specialties: oranges and pomelos from Pursat province. The oranges are said to be the best oranges in the country. Chea Heang Drink Shop on the west side of Phsar Nath offers ice cream bars, cheeses, yogurt, wines, and other imported items.
THE WEATHER IN BATTAMBANG & BEST TIME TO VISIT
The tropical monsoon climate in Cambodia makes it a perfect destination for Cambodia tour package at any time of the year. The temperature during the months of October, November, December and January is quite pleasant for touring and visiting sights with a temperature in the region of 26°C.
The rainy season can take place May to October (September is the wettest), so for the travelers visiting during these months, it helps to pack light rain gear to stay comfortable while trekking outside. The dry period is December to February, while the warmest month of the year is April.
FOOD & DRINK IN BATTAMBANG
Some of the best Cambodian cuisine in the country is found in Battambang, the capital of Cambodia‘s most fertile province and the country’s rice bowl. Here’s where you should snack, dine and sip in Battambang.
A few tourist restaurants aside, Cambodia’s second city of Battambang, set in an agriculturally-rich region, is one of the best places in the country to sample the most authentic renditions of Cambodian dishes — at roadside stalls, fresh markets, local eateries, foodie tours, a stylish restaurant, and even a boutique hotel restaurant or two. This guide to eating and drinking in Battambang covers all of the delicious opportunities to sample those specialties.
Due to its sizeable expat population and creative young locals, Battambang is also the spot to find Cambodia’s best coffee, along with good burgers and icy beer in arty bars, and everything from French pizza to fantastic Indian food. Thanks to Tara Winkler of the Cambodian Children’s Trust (CCT), Chef David Thompson of Nahm Bangkok, and restaurateur John Fink, owner of Quay in Sydney, Battambang also boasts a sleek restaurant serving pan-Asian sharing plates and potent cocktails. Here’s our guide to eating and drinking in Battambang.
1.Bobor
Bobor is also the meaning of rice soup, the rice soup in Smokin’ Pot is the most authentic. You can’t miss this cuisine when eating in Battambang.
2.Khmer curry
Khmer curry is usually served with beef, chicken or fish and is mainly seasoned with fresh coconut milk, lemongrass and kroeung sauce. Khmer Curry is a unique curry flavor that can only be tasted in Cambodia.
3.Apple pie
Apple pie is the local cuisine of Battambang. Almost every restaurant has apple pies for sale. The tastes are different, but they are very popular.
4.Amok
Amok is one of the most popular traditional Khmer cuisines and is available in almost every Cambodian restaurant.
5.Drink in Battambang – Fruit Shake
Cambodia is a fruit-producing country, and there are also very fresh fruits in Battambang. The fruit drinks on the streets are also dazzling. One of the fruit shakes at the White Rose Restaurant is a very popular fruit drink.
