Battambang Things to Do

4 more images

This, for me, was one of the highlights of my time in Cambodia and probably the main reason for coming to Battambang. Just to the north of the new bridge across the river are a cluster of moored boats. This is where the ferries to Siem Reap depart and is really a must-do thing as the journey is very scenic indeed. You'll pass by ramshackle stilt houses with young children waving at you from the river banks and boats on their way to school, Chinese cantilever fishing nets, floating villages and local people going about their daily lives on the river. The river flows into a lake called Tonle Sap before ending at the Chong Khmeas ferry dock about 10km south of Siem Reap. From here, you can take a tuk-tuk into Siem Reap itself.

The trip takes 3-7 hours depending on the weather, the water levels, how overloaded your boat is and the quality of the boat. They leave in the early morning around 7am and I bought a ticket from my hotel (the Star Hotel - see my accommodation tip) which cost $17 per person. I've taken some short video clips which you can find on my Battambang page, plus you can find more photos of the trip in my travelogues.

4 more images

Opened in 1968, this small museum is well worth a visit as it contains a small collection of Angkorian items and a Tonle Sap display. Included in the collection are boundary stones, an excellent array of lintels, heads of gods from Banteay Chhmar, a group of wooden Buddhas, and lions and other sculpted figures. There is currently a general lack of explanations for the displays, but that does not detract from the experience.

Open: 8-11am & 2-5pm. Admission: US$1.

4 more images

This temple is located behind the Governor's Residence in the south of the town and is full of colourful chedi's (stupa's), and figures of horses and chariots which I'd seen at other temples elsewhere in town.

2 more images

This is an old colonial building constructed by an Italian architect and finished in 1907, which is located in the south of the town centre. In front of it there is an old stone bridge as old as the building with two statues of lions made of stone on the west end of old bridge.

4 more images

Norrie’s, also known as bamboo trains, are one of the "must sees" of Battambang, if only for their novelty value. Formed by two sets of railway wheels, a bamboo mat and powered by a small motor, these are an impromptu way of travelling up and down the railway line in lieu of a real train, which don't look like running any time soon from what I saw. Aside from a rather peculiar way of getting around, they are also a great way of seeing rural Cambodia well off the road network. When two norries meet coming in opposite directions, the one with the lighter load is dismantled and removed from the tracks, allowing the other to pass.

They run along the railway line, where the rails are very bumpy and uneven with big gaps in-between that jolt you violently everytime you go over them, a few kilometres outside of the town. I enquired about taking a trip on one at the Tourist Information Office which is located near the Governor's Residence and a kind chap, who works there, took me on the back of his bike and then came along with me for a ride! On the return trip, after we turned round at one of the little stations along the way, we stopped off and watched the local fisherman catch fish with nets in muddy-brown ponds and rice being planted in the paddy fields. Great fun, which feels like a horizontal rollercoaster in a fair ground! I've taken some short video clips which you can find on my Battambang page.

4 more images

This temple is located across the river and is named after the river. It features some interesting and colourful figures including elephants, horses and one poor chap having his internal organs pecked out by birds! They remind me a bit of Hindu figures you find on their temples in India.

4 more images

Several wats lie on the far bank of the river, but to the casual visitor they are probably just of passing interest. The most interesting is Wat Kandal, just to the north of the iron bridge. It has an unusual, tall arched entranceway and out the back in the far corner nestles a model of Angkor Wat and a graveyard with some very ornate tombs.

3 more images

The Sangker River (also spelt Stung Sangke) is the river that flows through Battambang which then drains into the Tonle Sap lake. If you take the fast boat to Siem Reap (which you really have to do) then you'll go along this river before reaching and then crossing the lake. The river isn't all that picturesque in the town itself and looks like it's been specially channelled but it is very picturesque outside the town.