Battambang is the second largest city in Cambodia and is only about 5 hours by bus from Siem Reap. It still retains many ruins of the Angkor period, and is also a stop on the trans-Asian route from Phnom Penh to Bangkok (Thailand), but still retains a rural look, not too affected by tourism.
Most of Battambang’s architecture is a combination of French colonial and traditional Cambodian architecture. Few buildings in the city are more than three stories high, and cars, horse-drawn carriages and bicycles ply the narrow streets.
The countryside around Battambang is a perfect destination for us to explore by bicycle. In particular, there are bamboo trains here that attract many visitors to try once.
Directions to Battambang
If you choose to fly, buy a ticket to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, then take a bus to Battambang. Flying from Vietnam to Siem Reap will be closer, taking only about 3 hours, while from Phnom Penh it is 5 hours. You can also choose to travel by boat to Battambang, with a ticket price of about 15 - 20 USD/person and a travel time of 5 hours.
After arriving in Battambang city, visitors can choose from a variety of transportation options such as horse-drawn carriages, tuk-tuks, taxis or bicycles. There is also a unique bamboo train that runs on the train tracks.
The best time to explore Battambang
Battambang has a tropical monsoon climate quite similar to Vietnam. The best time to visit is around November - February of the following year, when we can freely experience all kinds of entertainment. According to the Cambodia travel guide, you should not visit Battambang in July and August because there are often storms and floods during this time, hindering the trip and also posing a high risk of insecurity.
Top Destinations in Battambang
Banan Temple
The temple, located about 20km from Battambang city, is a prime example of traditional Khmer architecture in Cambodia. It was built in the 11th century and to get there you have to climb a long flight of steep stairs. Although the path is not too easy, the view from the top is well worth the effort.
Phnum Sampov Temple
Phnum Sampov Temple is more modern than Banan Temple but still requires us to climb up quite difficult. Or you can also ask a local motorbike taxi driver to take you to the temple by shortcut if you don't want to spend too much effort.
Killing Cave
Killing Cave is located not too far from Phnum Sampov. The name of the cave is quite literal because this is where the Khmer Rouge dumped thousands of bodies in the 1970s. The small holes in the cave were used to store the bodies of children.
Sampeau Hill
When visiting Battambang, don't miss the opportunity to visit Sampeau Hill, where giant rocks support a unique pagoda. At this destination, we will climb mountains, explore caves and admire the magnificent scenery before our eyes. The hill is also home to the famous Killing Cave, which marks the Khmer Rouge era.
Unmissable experiences in Battambang
Take a walk around the outskirts of Battambang
In Battambang, we can try to explore the suburbs and peaceful villages. Visitors can rent bicycles to see the eye-catching green fields, peaceful pagodas or typical craft villages. Through these activities, we will understand more about the lives of local people as well as the culture in the suburbs of Battambang.
Kayaking
A popular activity for tourists in Battambang is kayaking at the Ksach Poy floating village. When renting a boat, we can float on the river, admire the scenery on both sides of the river and relax after many stressful moments in daily life.
Unique bamboo train experience
The unique combination of train and familiar bamboo material brings a unique experience in Cambodia. In the local language, this type of transportation is also known as nori. The cars are made of sturdy wooden frames measuring 3m long and covered with bamboo slats. In the past, this was also the main form of transportation for Battambang people, carrying people and goods.
Nowadays, trains are no longer commonly used and bamboo trains have been converted to serve tourists coming to visit. LV Travel suggests that you can try the experience once for only 10 USD for 1 person or if traveling with 2 people or more, it will only cost 5 USD.
Take a local cooking class
This experience is very popular with Westerners. If you have a passion and want to learn how to cook authentic Cambodian dishes, you can make your dream come true in Battambang. Smokin' Pot Restaurant opened the first cooking class for foreigners in Cambodia many years ago and is still a favorite learning destination for many people. Cooking classes last about 3 hours and usually start with a visit to the local market to buy ingredients.
Enjoy food and stay suggestions
What to eat in Battambang?
Visiting Battambang, you can try delicious Cambodian specialties such as Khmer red curry, Nom banh chok, fish Amok, pork rice... Battambang city also has many eateries and restaurants specializing in serving traditional delicacies as well as European - Asian cuisine, Thai dishes or special Vietnamese dishes.
If you are looking for a restaurant with a luxurious space, you can consider Lotus restaurant or Pomme d'Amor restaurant. Around the city area, there are also many delicious local restaurants or relaxing cafes with prices that are not too expensive.
Quality accommodation
Battambang has many boutique-style accommodations at reasonable prices. A suggestion for everyone is the Bambu Hotel in the city center, with a blend of Khmer and French architecture. The rooms here all have private balconies with pool views, patterned tile floors and wooden furniture. Because Battambang is not as famous as Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, you can rent a high-quality room at a much lower price.
