Destination Cambodia
Battambang: City & Province
Battambang – the rice bowl of Cambodia. The whole province is famous for its very fertile land producing excellent yields and allowing the local farmers not only growing plenty of rice, which is predominantly exported, but also crops, fruits and vegetables. Battambang is also one of the bigger provinces in Cambodia located in the northwest of the country bordering Thailand. The homonymous capital of the province Battambang is not yet fully explored by foreign tourists but kept its beautiful provincial charm with many colonial buildings left from the French occupation until 1953. The river “Sangker”, carrying red-brown water during the rainy season, divides the town into a western part with the actual centre of Battambang including the market area, train station, hotels and restaurants and the eastern part where the partly very poor housing areas can be found.
The recently paved and fixed Highways No. 6 and No. 5 from Siem Reap respectively from Phnom Penh very much ease a trip to Battambang by bus or taxi nowadays. For the “explorers” among the tourists a boat trip, best in the rainy season, from Siem Reap through the beautiful river landscape to Battambang or vis-a-vis is worthwhile. For those who have a lot of time and an even bigger adventurous spirit a train journey from Battambang to Phnom Penh is really something else considering the fact that the railroad network was built by the French occupants more than 80 years ago.
Bamboo train
A sort of local train built from bamboo wood and powered by an electrical motor. It is a lot of fun to go by bamboo train from one village to another on this really bumpy railroad. Meeting another train from the other direction on the way is no problem at all. Just take off the train from the railroad let the other one pass and continue your journey. Truly a real Cambodian experience.
Wat Ek Phnom
An atmospheric temple ruin from the 11th century dating from the reign of Suryavarman 1. It is an attractive 25km ride through the countryside outside to the temple which is a popular picnic and pilgrim spot for the locals.
Laan Thom
Hidden behind the western side of Sampou Mountain you will find this mystical place surrounded by 2 cave systems. The grot of Laan Kijol accommodates a Buddhist sanctuary with a lying Buddha I an alcove.
Laan Kirium, (Killing Fields)
Torture- and executive location during the Khmer Rouge Regime. The “sight” to be seen at this admittedly eerie place is a grot with a cave in which you will find the skulls and bones of the killed laid out in wired cages.
