Introduction

Battambang Province is a vital agricultural area, and is famous for the fertile soil which allows almost any produce to be grown in spectacular yields. Rice is its main product, and in 2003 over 500,000 tonnes of rice were produced. The Province is capable of feeding the entire country and rice from here is of the highest quality. Other local crops include corn, beans, oranges and sesame. The Province is bordered by the Tonle Sap Lake, Pursat Province and Banteay Meanchey. There are 13 Districts, 96 Communes and 741 villages. The population is 1,250,695, 52% women. Farming is the main means of livelihood. Battambang is also the Provincial Capital, and it is Cambodia’s second largest city, located on the northwestern end of the Tonle Sap. Battambang is served by National Highway No.5, and by rail, and by boat between Battambang and Siem Reap.

Rubies and garnets are mined in this Province. Culturally, Battambang also has many ancient temples dating back to the 10th and 13th centuries. These are well worth visiting, both out of historical interest, and as a chance to view the countryside beyond Battambang City.

Travel Information

Boat: Boats run daily between Siem Reap and Battambang in the wet season. Services are less frequent in the dry season because of variable water levels. There is no boat service between Phnom Penh and Battambang. Boats depart Siem Reap at 7.00am from the quay near Phnom Krom. The fare is around $12-$15 per person and the trip takes 6-8 hours. In Battambang the quay is located on the north side of town near the Rith Money bus stop.

It is not nearly as safe as travelling by road because the boats are not maintained very well and are often over-subscribed. However, the scenery is stunning, particularly around the margins of the Tonle Sap.

Bus: The Neak Krorhorm and Rith Mony bus companies run services between Siem Reap and Battambang. The cost is $4 - $5 and the journey takes around 4 hours. Buy tickets at the respective company booking offices or through a road-side ticket vendor.

There is a wider choice of services between Phnom Penh and Battambang. Neak Krorhorm, Sorya, Capitol and GST all make this run and charge around $4 for the trip, which takes about 5 hours. Contact individual companies for details of schedules and pick-up points.

Train: Battambang to Phnom Penh: trains run only on Sunday and depart at 6:20am. Travelling between Phnom Penh and Battambang, trains leave at 6.20am on Saturday. This is a rough way to travel: journey times are in double figures; carriages are in poor shape and banditry can sometimes be a problem.

Travelling Around

As with most of Cambodia, the transport options in Battambang are to hire a moto taxi (motodup), or a car and driver, or rent a motorcycle and drive yourself. Cars cost about $20/day and motorcycles $5 - $8/day. Prices are higher than in other towns. Hotels can generally assist in renting transport.

Money and Banking

There are banks in Battambang that have exchange services for most major currencies.
Canadia Bank and Acleda Bank accept Master Cards.

Communication

There are several internet cafes around the town, and the Teo Hotel has a small internet shop. Access is relatively fast and stable. Prices are higher than in other towns at $1.75 - $2.50/hr. Most hotels and internet shops also offer international telephone services.

Security Services

MPA International Ltd.
Cambodia’s first private security company with 11 years of experience and over 2,000 security officers. Services Offered:

* Physical Guarding
* VIP protection
* Secured Logistics
* Cash in Transit
* Cleaning Services
* Labor Supply

Office Locations: Battambang, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh.
Battambang Branch: Rumchek 4 Village, Battambang District, Battam Bang Province. Tel: (855) 12 333 221

Vision Care

Eye Care

Frames - Lenses - Contact Lenses and Expert Repair. New glasses made to your prescription in 1 hour. Free, computerised eye testing. English speaking staff. Convenient locations to serve you.
Tel: 016 999 968 / 012 505 088
E-mail: eyecare@camintel.com
SIEM REAP, PHNOM PENH,
BATTAMBANG OFFICE: 103-104 North of Phsar Nath

Things to See and Do

Countryside Tour

The countryside around Battambang looks like something from the pages of National Geographic. A few kilometers from town the traveler encounters small villages with stilt-houses and rice paddies that stretch to the horizon. A trip to any local site will take you deep into this serene landscape.

Ek Phnom is an 11th-century Angkorian temple and was built in 1027 during the reign of Suryavarman I (1002-1050). It is located in Piem Ek commune, 14 km from Battambang.

Phnom Banan is an 11th century temple begun by King Udayadityavarman II (1050-1066), and completed by King Jarvarman VII (1181-1219). The temple is located on the top of a 400m high hill 25km from Battambang. A must-see.

Sneoung Temple was built in the late 12th century, and has three elaborately carved lintels of exceptional quality. There are also three large, crumbling brick buildings nearby, with one carved lintel and decorated pillars at the entrance of the middle tower. A modern pagoda is behind the temple. The site is about 22km from town.

Phnom Sampeou (Ship Mountain) is a natural rocky outcrop which can be climbed via 700 steps. The hill has a series of grottos to explore, each lined with Buddhist shrines and statues. The main temple complex is on the peak. The view of the surrounding countryside is breath talking. Phnom Krapeu (Crocodile Mountain) is visible from the top, as is Phnom Kdoung (Ship-Sail Mountain). Phnom Sampeou is off National Road 57 (former National Road 10), in Sampeou Commune about 12km from Battambang.
Kamping Puoy Reservoir is a gigantic civil engineering project that was central to the Khmer Rouge’s plan to irrigate the countryside around Battambang. It was built at the cost of thousands of lives. Most of the deaths on the Kamping Puoy project resulted from malnutrition, disease, overwork or maltreatment. In short, all the deaths were preventable. Haing S. Ngor’s book Cambodian Odyssey provides a powerful insight into life under the Khmer Rouge in the Province. The reservoir itself runs between two hills:Phnom Kol (or Phnom Ta Ngel) and Phnom Kamping Puoy. It is now a popular picnic site for residents of Pailin and Battambang.

Where to Stay

Victoria Hotel $13 - $20
New hotel with very comfortable and clean rooms. Friendly staff. In the heart of the city.
National Road 5, Romchek Village, Rattanak Commune, Battambang.
Tel: 053-730364, 012-933305, 011-256903

Bus Stop Guesthouse $6 - $20
Central location with fan and a/c rooms, en-suite bathrooms and TV. Good value, friendly staff, western-run.
Website: www.busstopcambodia.com

Spring Park Hotel $6 - $35
This relatively new hotel offers a full range of rooms and services including internet ports in the rooms! All the other amenities you’d expect from a quality hotel: air-con, en-suite, cable TV etc plus a ticketing service and free pick-up.
Located just east of the new bridge.
Website: www.spparkhotel@yahoo.com

Teo Hotel $11- $44
Popular with commercial travellers because of its excellent facilities.
Tel: 012 857 048

Where to Eat

There are many small cafes and restaurants to enjoy, particularly around Phsar Nath and along the riverside.

Riverside Balcony Bar & Restaurant
Overlooks the river and serves a range of western including enchiladas.
Tel: 053 730 313

White Rose
One of the longest-running restaurants in Battambang and still popular with tourists and ex-pats. Excellent range of largely Khmer and Thai cuisine.

Smokin Pot
The imaginative name gets it listings in a lot of guidebooks! Understandably popular with the back-packing crowd on account of its value-for-money regional cuisine and the fact you can take a half-day course in how to cook Khmer-style.
Tel: 012 821 400 for further details.