Battambang Tourism And Travel Guide

Battambang is a beautiful city nestled right in the center of the Northwestern hub of Cambodia. Situated along the banks of a serene river, the town offers tourists with a peek into the past era through its collection of French architectural masterpieces. Battambang can allure tourists through the flock of bats rushing out of the Battambang Caves, the architectural brilliance of its several hilltop shrines, or its insightful collection of ancient remnants. Let us walk through this exciting travel guide to look at the different tourism prospects offered by this city.

By Air:
The Battambang Airport is located approximately 3 km away from the central hub of Battambang. Several air carriers ply their flights between Battambang and other domestic centers such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Along with these metropolitan hubs, Battambang also enjoys excellent connectivity to international quarters.

By Road:

Battambang connects to other neighboring cities through the well-built National Highway 5 and National Highway 6. These roadways provide excellent pathways to metropolitans such as Phnom Penh, Sisophon, Siem Reap, and Poipet. The prime bus transport providers that ply their buses in and out of the city include PP Sorya and Paramount Angkor.

By Water:

A solitary ferry plies in and out of Battambang's port area regularly, coming in from Siem Reap. Departing in the wee hours of the morning, this ferry offers tourists with a scenic ride through tranquil oceanic waters. Throughout this 6-hour ride, passengers can sight incredible floating villages too.

Battambang witnesses two seasons across its hemisphere, the dry season and the wet season. The temperatures in the city usually fluctuate between 21°C and 36°C. Let us take a look at the tourist attractions that these two seasons offer tourists.

Dry Season (October to Early May):

The best time of the year to venture into Battambang is during the dry season, especially the period between November and February. The temperatures typically range between 18°C and 27°C at this time of the year. The dry season provides visitors with perfect conditions to explore caves and holy shrines perched atop hillocks.

Wet Season (Early May to September):

The wet season in Battambang experiences a cloudy climate with September receiving the heaviest precipitation of rainfall. Temperatures keep alternating between 25°C and 30°C and the city blooms with splendid greenery. The wet season is an apt time to witness circus performances or ride atop the bamboo train.

Remarkable Hilltop Shrines:

Battambang is famous around the world for its splendid collection of hilltop temples. Some of these magnificently built shrines include Wat Ek Phnom, Wat Somrong Knong, Prasat Banan, and Wat Baydamram. These temples illustrate the remarkable architectural prowess of the ancient Khmer regime that controlled the proceedings at Angkor.

Incredible Natural Phenomena:

Some of the breathtaking natural specimens that lure in tourists to Battambang include the bat-laden Battambang Caves and the bird-laden Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary. The tranquil surrounding areas of Kamping Puoy Lake also attract several tourists to its banks. The Kamping Puoy Dam built over this lake offers tourists with relaxing picnic spots.

Intriguing Art Galleries:

Battambang is studded with art galleries that showcase fascinating sculptures and paintings. Some of these insightful museums include Romcheik 5 Artspace, and Battambang Museum. While the Battambang Museum hosts ancient Angkorian sculptures and portraits, the Romcheik 5 Artspace depicts several contemporary masterpieces.

Battambang is studded with many seaside and streetside restaurants such as Jaan Bai, Lonely Tree Cafe, La Villa, Cafe Eden, Green Mango Cafe and Bakery, and Jewel in the Lotus. Tourists are sure to find a mixed blend of French, Khmer, Italian, and Vietnamese dishes. Battambang is famous for its splendid coffee offerings, delicious burgers, and chilled beers. A soup corner at Wat Kor village offers steaming bowls of kuy teav and fleshy pork pieces placed atop sumptuous noodles. Other exquisite renditions of Battambang cuisine include Squid Sliders, Thai Jungle Curry, Kampot Pepper Crab, and Pulled Pork Buns.

Battambang provides tourists with unique shopping options, ranging from the marble figurines from Pursat, the woodcarvings at Phsar Nath, to the precious sapphires from Pailin. Apart from these centers, local hotels offer visitors with interesting souvenirs or artworks that have been carved out of marble or wood. Old trinkets, antiques, curios, oddities, and coins can be found at the art shops around the streets of Battambang. The city is also famous for its polished and well-cut collection of sapphire and ruby. These precious stones form a perfect souvenir for tourists going back home.