BATTAMBANG

Cambodia’s second largest city lies in the heart of the Northwest and until the war years was the leading rice-producing province of the country. Battambang did not give way to the Khmer Rouge movement until after the fall of Phnom Penh, but it’s been in the center of the ongoing government Khmer Rouge conflict ever since the Vietnamese invasion in 1979 pushed the genocidal regime out of Phnom Penh and to the Northwest.

Until the surrender deal of Ieng Sary (Khmer Rouge number three man based in Pailin),Battambang was the Khmer Rouge in the region. Earlier history saw Battambang flip-flopping back and forth between Thailand (called Siam before their 20th-century renaming) and Cambodia.

Battambang is the main hub of the Northwest connecting the entire region with Phnom Penh and Thailand, and as such it’s a vital link for Cambodia. Battambang city is a peaceful and pleasant place these days.

The main parts of the city are situated closed to the Sangker River, a tranquil, small body of water that winds its way through Battambang Province. It is a nice, picturesque setting. As with much of Cambodia, the French architecture is an attractive bonus of the city.

Around battambang what to see

Stting on sangker river just southwest of the Tonle Sap Lak, Battambang town is at the heart of Cambodia's rice, and even though it is the coun try second biggest town. It still has a very local, provincial atmosphere. Much of the architecture in Franch colonial and Traditional Cambodia. Few Building are over three stories and the main streets are shared by cars and horse cart alike. the local economy is truly local-based family in rice, wood, sapphires and food crops and is reflected in the character of the town.

Bamboo Train

the bomboo train is a unique and creative from of ad-hoc local transportation. It consists of a small ( perhaps 2.5x4m ), Motorcycles along the way. When it meets on oncoming train or bamboo train, it can be disassemble, and taken off the rail in a minute or two, allowing the other to pass. When touring the country side ask your driver totack you to rails crossing where you can't meet a bamboo train to tack a ride.

Cirurs

The Phare Ponleu Selpak NGO gives the opportunity to Cambodian Children from poor and disabled families to " have access to culture via different artivities " including music, drawing and circus.

Country Side Tour

The rural countryside outside of Battambang is National Geographic picturesque. Within just a few kilometers of town, the country side turn in to small villages filled with stilted houses and rice paddies thet stretch to the hirozen. You'll see plenty of country side on the way to any of local produce ino the making rice paper, noodle and fish paste market. it very traditional if not a bit unhygienic and smelly.

Ek Phnom

Is an 11th century angkorian ruin built as a hindu tample under Suryavaraman I. The temple consisits of prasats of on a platform eith some carving in pretty good condition. Wat Ek phnom, a modern pagoda, sits next to the runi. The river drive to Ek Phom from Battambang passes to through same absolutely beautiful country side.

Phnom Banan

Is a mountaintop 11th century Angkorian ruin consisting of five prasats. Peaceful location with a nice view of the area. Also L'Ang But Meas cave very old(150 year+) active pagoda at the base of the mountain.

Pagodas

Both battambang town and the surrounding country side are replete with pagoda, some of them very old, respected and dsisplaying some very unique architecture. See around Battambang for complete information about visiting the local pagoda.

Phnom Sampeou

Mountain, Steeped in legend and topped by wat sampeo and a group of caves used as " Killing caves " by the Khmer rouge, caontaning the skeletal remains of their victims. The wat is unexceptional but the view is spectacular. Ask about the legend of Neang Rumsay Sok.

Basseat Temple

The distant from Battambang to Basseat is 15Km along very good road. A long the way you can see the nice traditional houses and nice village. Basseat temple is in Tabon village, Tabon Commune, Sangkar Disrict.

Sneng Temple

From Battambang to Sneng temple is 22 km a long the road number 10 to Pilin, It is in Sneng village, Sneng Commune, Banan District.

Peachenda Resort

From Battambang to Peachenda resort is 44 km a long the road 10 to Pilin, Location: Treng village, Treng Commune, Ratanak mondol District.

Seak Sok Resort

The distant from Battambang to Seak Sok is 56 km along the road number 10 to Pilin. Location: Plovromes Commune, Ratanak mondol District.