Battambang

Battambang is a captivating province that beckons travelers with its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. Located in the northwestern part of the country, this charming city is renowned for its well-preserved colonial architecture, artistic heritage, and friendly locals. As Cambodia's second-largest city, Battambang offers a tranquil escape from the bustling streets of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Whether you're exploring ancient temples, sampling delectable Khmer cuisine, or meandering along the tranquil Sangker River, Battambang promises an authentic Cambodian experience like no other. Join us on a journey to discover the hidden gems of this enchanting province.

Travel Guides

1. Top things to do in Battambang

Explore the city
Battambang boasts Cambodia's most extensive array of colonial-era structures and historic architectural treasures, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts. To make the most of your visit, Khmer Architecture Tours provides a convenient downloadable map for self-guided exploration. For a more immersive experience, consider joining the Free Cycle Tours led by enthusiastic Cambodian students, offering complimentary walking tours throughout Battambang. Plus, don't worry about exhaustion – Battambang's compact layout ensures that exploring the city on foot requires minimal effort.
Kayak through Villages and Countryside
The riverside area of Battambang is a unique habitat where many locals call home. However, these dwellings stand out in comparison to the typical houses you might have encountered elsewhere. Essentially, it's a neighborhood built on water, with houses perched on stilts above the river, serving as platforms for fishing, swimming, and laundry activities. As you embark on this aquatic adventure, your journey will take you downstream into the serene countryside. Here, you'll navigate your kayak through lush rice fields, where diligent farmers are hard at work, and dense rainforests that offer a refreshing, cool breeze.

To make the most of this experience, you can rent your kayaks through Green Orange Kayaks, an NGO school dedicated to funding local children's education with the proceeds. Your rental package includes reliable kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and the company of a friendly English-speaking guide to enhance your exploration.

Ride the Bamboo Train
While Cambodia did have the best intentions of having a fully functioning railway system, they just couldn’t seem to make it happen. The slow trains lacked efficiency and speed, therefore leading to the suspension of all train services in 2009, leaving the tracks totally abandoned. Yet, if there's one characteristic you should know about the resourceful Khmer people, it's their remarkable innovation. Thus, it comes as no surprise that they seized the opportunity presented by these abandoned tracks to craft their own unique mode of transportation. They ingeniously constructed bamboo trains resembling small boats, perfectly sized for accommodating a small family. These makeshift "trains" are operated manually using a lever and must be disassembled from the tracks whenever two of them cross paths. It's a truly remarkable adaptation worth witnessing firsthand.
Go to Battambang Circus
Show your support for budding student artists by becoming part of the audience at Phare Ponleu Selpak, Battambang's dynamic circus performance. Unlike some circuses that have garnered negative attention for their exploitation of people and animals, Phare Ponleu Selpak stands in stark contrast. In fact, this circus is operated by a Cambodian NGO dedicated to uplifting street children and young individuals from challenging backgrounds. It offers them a valuable opportunity to explore various art forms as a means of self-expression and livelihood creation. Your attendance helps empower these talented youth on their artistic journey.
Experience the Battambang Bat Caves at Sunset
As the sun gracefully dips below the horizon, prepare to be mesmerized by the sight of thousands of bats taking flight into the night sky! Just 12 km (7 miles) from the city center, the Bat Caves offer a truly unforgettable way to conclude a day of exploration. Upon arrival, you'll find a handful of cafes nestled downhill from the cave. Find a comfortable spot, order a drink, and get ready to witness the spectacular bat extravaganza at sunset!
Volunteer at a Cambodia Orphanage
One of the best experiences we’ve ever had while traveling was dedicating a morning to volunteer at an orphanage in Battambang. Operated by a compassionate gentleman and his family, BOVA (Battambang Orphanage Village Assistance) serves as a school where Cambodian children are taught the English language.

2. Battambang Weather

Battambang experiences two distinct seasons in terms of weather: the dry season and the wet season. The dry season, characterized by its warm and arid conditions, stands out as the ideal time to explore the city. Specifically, January emerges as the prime month to visit Battambang. During this time, temperatures tend to be quite high, as is common in tropical climates, with a notable level of humidity. The city's average temperature remains relatively stable throughout the year, with minimal rainfall. The hottest months in Battambang typically fall in April, March, and May, where the average annual temperature typically hovers between 22 and 27.5°C.

3. Transportation:

3.2. How to get there?
Although Battambang has a small domestic airport, it’s been closed for business for the last 10+ years and doesn’t host any commercial airlines. As of 2017, the only ways to get to Battambang are by bus, private car or boat. Bus from Phnom Penh to Battambang take about five hours to reach the city while it takes around three hours from Siem Reap. Between Battambang and Siem Reap, daily boats conduct the picturesque trek across the Tonle Sap and up the Sangke river, departing at 7:00 a.m. from each port. Traveling by boat provides a unique perspective of Cambodia, as the journey passes through farms, fishing villages, and small towns.
3.2. Ways to get around the city:
Visitors should take jeeps, boats, or motorbikes to truly appreciate the vibe of Battambang, which provide a view of the serene scenery of this old city. Furthermore, Battambang is known for its home-made taxis. Visitors sit on the back of an improved motorcycle with a recliner and may easily see little villages, meandering canals, or huge gardens along the wayside. Travelers who visit Battambang should not miss the opportunity to ride a bamboo boat, which is a novel and interesting means of transportation for Cambodians. The “norry” bamboo boats have timber frames, bamboo floors, and a rudimentary motor with wheels.  

Places Of Interest

Wat Ek Phnom

Located approximately 10 km to the north of Cobra Bridge lies the ancient ruins of Ek Phnom. Dating back to the Bayon period, these ruins, unlike those of Phnom Banan, have suffered significantly from the ravages of time. Nonetheless, Ek Phnom holds a distinct allure due to the juxtaposition of its well-preserved working temple, recently constructed right in front of the weathered ruins. This temple, along with the ancient ruins, serves as the focal point for festive gatherings among the nearby village's residents. During these celebrations, adorned in their finest attire, the villagers come together to bridge the gap between the old and the new temples. They joyously explore the ruins with their families, creating a vibrant and memorable scene of communal togetherness.

Wat Banan Temple

Constructed at the conclusion of the 12th century, it's truly astonishing that these architectural marvels have endured the test of time. Make your way up the steps of steep that leads to a platform housing five distinct structures comprising this ancient temple. Along your journey, you'll encounter numerous vendors, beggars, and local artisans offering religious handicrafts for sale.

Killing Cave

This tragic site is known as one of the places where Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge soldiers killed thousands of innocent Cambodian people. Normally we don’t like to visit that kind of tourist site. But we learned more about the tragic history of Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge and are now making people we know aware of what happened. So this will hopefully never happen again. On the other side of Phnomh Sampou you can find something that is more calm and has a serene vibe.

Suggested Itineraries

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