Battambang

Understand

Despite being Cambodia's second largest city, Battambang is often overlooked in favor of the more popular Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Battambang is quieter, less commercial and cheaper, and provides an opportunity to see a slightly less Westernized Cambodian city. Remnants of French colonial architecture can be spotted around the city, and there are food and lodging options that will cater to most budgets and tastes.

Get in

thumb|right|210px|Map of Battambang

See

thumb|200px|Phnom Sampeou thumb|200px|Wat Ek Phnom

Do

thumb|right|240px|The bamboo train near Battambang

Head to The Real Place Hostel for competitive priced tours. They have full and half day tours of sights and activities in the region and their price depends on the number of people, but since everyone is heading here, it often ends up in the cheapest deal — still compare though!

Buy

thumb|200px|Battambang's central market

There are two large markets in the center, its easy to spot them on a map.

Eat

Battambang's culinary traditions and reputation for producing high quality fruit, vegetables and rice led to it being designated in October 2023 as a UNESCO Creative City in the gastronomy category.

There are plenty of places to eat, but after 19:00 some places close and lots of streets become dark, so eating early (around 18:00) is recommended.

You can get some great French-style bread (by French standards) for 1,000 riel a medium-size baguette up north, between the French cultural centre and the giant statue marking the entry in Battambang from the main inter-provincial road. The bread that street sellers have elsewhere in town is of a much lower standard for the same price, similar to that found in Phnom Penh, baguette-shapes, but sprinkled with sugar. Some people do not notice any difference between the bread sold in the north and elsewhere in Battambang. It is generally of decent quality all across the city.

Flavors of India, Street 121 (Near intersection with Road 1.5), . 11:00–22:00. Excellent North Indian dishes with local and imported beers, lassi and noteworthy entrees. Mains from US$3-5.

Stay safe

Battambang is very hot during Feb–May, when air conditioning (which adds perhaps US$5 to room cost) is hard to do without. For those with vulnerable stomachs, the hot season is also the least safe, food-wise. Like all Cambodian cities, Battambang is dusty, and eye problems can result. Wear your largest sunglasses when moving around on foot or by tuk tuk.

Street dogs (including those fed by stallholders in the main market, Psar Nath) occasionally attack non-locals, so carrying a stick or stones is a good precaution if out walking.

A general rule if you want to help out the kids begging on the streets is to buy them food but don't give them money. Adults with 'charity ID' collecting money 'for the children', generally near the river, are scammers. Sometimes they'll ask you to volunteer to teach local kids English: this generally ends in an attempt to get money from you.

If you are sick or injured, see a Western-trained doctor not one trained in Cambodia; there is often at least one of these at the Handa Medical Centre. (No appointment needed: just show up.)

Go next

Phnom Penh Siem Reap (for Angkor)