Battambang

Battambang is the second-largest city in Cambodia. It is a small town with a provincial atmosphere, serving as the capital of the Battambang province. The city offers visitors a peaceful environment to discover the enchanting beauty of its landscapes, the rural way of life of the Cambodians, and the cultural value of Khmer traditions. Off the beaten track, it also provides the opportunity to engage in unique activities that complement the visit.

History 

The Khmer word "Battambang" literally translates to "losing the stick." This refers to a local legend about a giant named Ta Dambong. The legend tells of how the giant lost his stick while attempting to fight an enemy. At the entrance of the city, a large statue still stands in honor of this figure.

Before World War II, from 1795 to 1907, Battambang was repeatedly ruled by the Kingdom of Siam, now known as Thailand.

The city’s history was significantly impacted by the civil war with the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot. From 1979 to 1990, immediately after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime, Battambang was at the heart of the civil war. During this period, a genocide took place, and most of the region's factories were destroyed.

In 2016, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage city due to its colonial-era buildings, Khmer and Thai architectural influences, and its many ancient pagodas and temples.

Geography

Battambang is located 293 km from Phnom Penh and 171 km from Siem Reap, in the northwestern part of Cambodia. The city is near the Sangker River, which flows through the province and empties into the Tonlé Sap. Covering an area of 293 km², the city is intersected by two irrigation canals fed by the Sangker River.

Today

For over 500 years, Battambang has been the main commercial center of the province. It holds significant importance for Cambodia’s economy. With a family-oriented character, the city’s economy is based on the production and trade of timber, bamboo, gemstones, and rice cultivation. It is known as the "rice basket" of Cambodia, with surrounding regions surrounded by rice fields.

Battambang preserves an important architectural heritage. It houses traditional Khmer architecture as well as colonial French or Thai-style buildings. These colonial houses line avenues 1, 2, and 3 along the Sangker River, serving as a testament to the country's history under French or Indochina protectorate. The French bakeries and cafés remain the most prestigious and well-known establishments. Whether on foot or by tuk-tuk, it is worth taking the time to stroll through the well-preserved architecture to discover the charm of the city.

In 2007, the population of Battambang was approximately 250,000 inhabitants. The population is a mix of Thai, Laotian, Chinese, and Khmer ethnicities.

Closed to trains since 2009, the Battambang railway is now used for the bamboo train. This consists of a bamboo wagon mounted on metal wheels. For Cambodians, this transport method is used to carry passengers or local goods, and it has recently become a tourist attraction. Being shaken for more than three minutes has thus become one of the region’s main activities.

Battambang is flourishing in terms of tourism. The city develops various attractions and tourist activities, including historical, cultural, natural, and religious heritage sites.

Psar Nat

Psar Nat remains the most important attraction in the city. It is a large market located in the city center. This market offers a unique opportunity to meet the minorities from surrounding villages. In the morning, the market allows visitors to discover local products, as merchants from surrounding villages bring freshly picked goods to sell.

Phnom Sampeu

Located approximately 12 km southwest of the city, Phnom Sampeu is a sacred mountain and remains the highlight of a visit to Battambang. During your visit, you can explore three caves: Pkasla, Lakhaon, and Aksopheak. Some of these caves have kept a bloody history from the civil war. Discovered in 1993, several very old bones are hidden inside. One of the caves also hosts the famous and gigantic reclining Buddha statue.

Ponleu Selpak Center

Ponleu Selpak is a Cambodian organization created in 1994, born out of the post-Khmer Rouge refugee camps. Initially, this place allowed the oppressed people from the Khmer Rouge regime to express themselves artistically or culturally. Today, it has become a circus for children and is considered the artistic hub of the region. It includes a social center, a public school, and three art schools focused on visual and musical arts. Every Monday and Thursday from 6 PM, local young artists perform circus shows. 

Wat Banan Temple

Battambang is known as the city of a thousand pagodas. Several temples can be found here, with Wat Banan being the most important after Wat Ek and Wat Ba Set. This beautiful small temple is reached by a staircase of 350 steps. Located exactly 20 km south of the city, it was built in the 11th century by King Tak Oui Tit Ut TyaVarman II (1050-1066). It is often considered a miniature version of "Angkor Wat."

Climate

According to the Köppen-Geiger classification, Battambang experiences a savanna climate with a dry winter. Rainfall is abundant in summer, with an average precipitation of 1,895 mm. In September, precipitation can reach up to 3,647 mm.

Throughout the year, the average temperature is 29.1°C. The best months to visit the city are January and December, as these are the driest months of the year.

How to get there

Bus

Following National Route 5, which connects Battambang to Phnom Penh, it takes approximately 4 hours to reach the city. This journey covers over 170 km.

From Sisophon to Battambang, the journey is 68 km and takes 1.5 hours. Consequently, the city has many bus companies and shared taxis.

Boat

From Siem Reap, river transport is the most interesting way to reach Battambang. Boats depart at 7 AM and operate daily between the two cities. Depending on the type of boat on the Sangker River, the journey takes between 3 and 8 hours.

Getting Around

Tuk-tuk

It is most practical to get around Battambang by tuk-tuk. To ensure a good experience, it is recommended to book the tuk-tuk and negotiate the price the day before the journey.

What to do ?

• Visit Phnom Sampeu and explore the three caves to trace the history of the Khmer Rouge.
• Visit Wat Banan Temple and discover the cultural value of the region.
• Experience an exciting adventure for a few minutes aboard the bamboo trains.
• Admire the physical performance of young local artists at Ponleu Selpak.