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Cambodia >> Battambang Travel Guides
Battambang
Situated on the Sangker River just southwest of the Tonle Sap Lake, Battambang is at the heart of Cambodia's rice bowl. Even though it is the country's third largest town, it still has a very local and provincial feel to it. A lot of the architecture is French colonial and traditional Cambodian, and few buildings are over three stories. Cars as well as horse carts share the same streets. Unlike more tourist oriented towns, the local economy is truly local, and is based mainly on rice, wood, gems and food crops. The countryside around Battambang is one of small villages, rice paddies, and farmland, and gives you a glimpse of what rural Cambodia used to look like. The nearby countryside also has old temples, Angkorian era ruins, caves, waterfalls, and the former Khmer Rouge killing fields. Battambang means ‘disappearing stick’, and is named after a powerful stick used by a legendary Khmer king to wield power in the Battambang area. Some temples and sites to see in the area are Ek Phnom, Phnom Banon, Phnom Sampeou, Prasat Sneng, and the Provincial Museum.
There are now many internet shops in Battambang, and it is fairly fast and reliable. The cost is
about $1.50 an hour and you can call by internet phone in most internet shops. Wifi is also
available in some locations.
Of course both U.S. dollars and Riel are accepted in Battambang, and hotel prices are in dollars, but here Thai Baht is also used. Banks will cash Travellers Cheques and exchange money, and some banks offer Western Union service. There are now ATMs at banks, and in various locations around Battambang.
Things To See & Do
Ek Phnom is an 11th century Angkorian-era ruin originally built as a Hindu temple by King Suryavarman I. The temple has several prasats (towers) on a platform, and some of the carvings are still in fair condition. A modern temple, Wat Ek Phnom, is adjacent to the ruin. The drive to Ek Phnom runs along the river and winds through nice countryside scenery of small villages and rice fields.
Phnom Banan is also an 11th century Angkor ruin. It is on top of a mountain, and has 5 prasats. There is a good view of the surrounding countryside from the top. There is also a cave there, and a 150 year old contemporary temple at the foot of the mountain.
Phnom Sampeou is a mountain with Wat Sampeou at the summit. There are legends (Neang Rumsay Sok) connected with the mountain. There are also caves that were used by the Khmer Rouge for executions, and the bones of their victims are still there. The view from the mountain is quite impressive.
The Bamboo Train gets its name from the small train-carts made from wood and bamboo that run on the now disused train tracks in the vicinity of Battambang. The carts are a kind of small platform powered by a motorcycle engine, and used to carry passengers and goods of all kinds. They run the rails picking up and dropping off passengers and their goods along the way. Just flag one down, and take a ride.
Phsar Nath is the main local market, and is located in the center of town. It is your typical local market selling fruit, vegetables, meat, clothing, shoes, household goods, and the like. There are also food stalls. Shops such as gem dealers, banks, photo shops and moneychangers are in the vicinity of the market. Phsar Leu is a little south of town. It offers the usual market things, and local produce.
Souvenirs such as stone sculptures, woodcarvings, and gemstones are popular in Battambang. These are offered for sale in hotels and in the many small souvenir shops in town. There are also so-called "art shops", and some of these shops sell curios, old knickknacks, coins, antiques and assorted rummage as well as the usual souvenirs.
Gemstones like Cambodian sapphires and rubies which are extracted in Pailin near the border with Thailand, are graded, cut and polished in Battambang. If you know gems and you know what you are doing, you can find good deals on gemstones here. But as with buying gems anywhere, you need to be careful. There are fake gems and low quality gems passed off as quality gems. Scams are not uncommon, and you really need to know who you are dealing with. Most gem and gold shops are in and around Phsa Nath, and on the road along the river.
Cambodia
(towers) on a platform, and some of the carvings are still in fair condition. A modern temple, Wat Ek Phnom, is adjacent to the ruin. The drive to Ek Phnom runs along the river and winds through nice countryside scenery of small villages and rice fields.
carts made from wood and bamboo that run on the now disused train tracks in the vicinity of Battambang. The carts are a kind of small platform powered by a motorcycle engine, and used to carry passengers and goods of all kinds. They run the rails picking up and dropping off passengers and their goods along the way. Just flag one down, and take a ride.
also so-called "art shops", and some of these shops sell curios, old knickknacks, coins, antiques and assorted rummage as well as the usual souvenirs.