Cambodia

Destinations

Getting to

Battambang

Phnom Penh to Battambang

Road (291km, National Route #5): The road is paved and in good condition. 

Bus Several bus companies (including Phnom Penh Sorya, Ponleu Angkor, Rith Mony and Capitol Tours) run multiple daily buses between Phnom Penh to Battambang. First bus departs at 6:30AM and the last at 3:00PM. Fare: 17,000R-20,000R. The trip takes 5 hours. In Battambang, buses depart from the various transportation company offices. See the map.

Taxi A private taxi is $45. Shared taxi: 25,000R per person. 4 hours. Prices for shared local transport are very nominal, but are also crowded and uncomfortable. Buy more than one place for the extra leg room.

Air There are currently no regularly scheduled flights to Battambang.

Siem Reap to Battambang

Boat Daily ferry departs in each direction at 7:00am. $18-$25/person. It's a picturesque, 6-8 hour journey across the Tonle Sap and along the Sangker River in the wet season, but can be considerably longer or cancelled in the dry season due to low water levels. Ask about current conditions. The boats in no way meet international safety standards.

Road (National Routes #6 and #5, via Sisophon): The road from Battambang to Siem Reap around the west side of the lake is in excellent condition. 

Bus At least four bus companies (including Capitol Tours, Phnom Penh Sorya and Rith Mony) run two or three daily a/c buses, most leaving in the morning. Buy tickets at the bus company office. $4-$5, 2½-3 hours.

Taxi A private taxi costs $40-$45 and takes about 3 hours.

Air There are currently no regularly scheduled flights to Battambang.
 

Battambang Hotels/Guesthouses
 

	Bambu Hotel Range: $55 - $75 (breakfast included) Fully outfitted and equipped hotel/resort complex sporting well-appointed, traditionally inspired rooms. All rooms with a/c/ CTV, DVD, stocked mini-bar, wifi, en suite bathroom with hot/ water. Swimming pool and full restaurant and bar serving Cambodian and international fare. Quiet area only 2 minutes from town center. Visa/MC/ANZ Tel: +(855)(0)53-953900 Fax: +(855)(0)53-953951 bookings@bambuhotel.com  www.bambuhotel.com
	Battambang Lotus Hotel Range: $15 - $95 (from $39 with breakfast) Clean, affordable hotel offering a/c rooms with CTV, mini-bar, phone, safe, hot water and wifi. Wooden furniture including desk. Conference facilities in hotel. Elevator. Parking. Tel: +(855)(0)12-869005       +(855)(0)53-731533 battambanglotushotel@online.com.kh www.battambanglotushotelcambodia.com
	Coconut House Range: $11 - $13 Villa style guesthouse a couple of hundred meters off the main road in a quiet area. Large rooms with the standard amenities: a/c, CTV, en suite with hot water. Very affordable. Long term rates available. Tel: +(855)(0)53-6655447       +(855)(0)12-955447 thecoconuthouse@gmail.com www.thecoconuthouse.net
	Ganesha Family Guesthouse Range: $4 - $30 Newly renovated family-friendly guesthouse right in the middle of Battambang town on Street 1.5 close to Phsar Nath Market. Eco-friendly. Individual rooms, family rooms and dormitory available. Bar, restaurant and pool table. Tasty foods, Khmer, Western and Thai. Welcoming atmosphere. Tel: +(855)(0)92-135570       +(855)(0)98-246350 www.ganeshaguesthouse.com
	Holiday Hotel Range: $17 - $50 City center hotel offering spacious rooms at reasonable prices. Individually decorated rooms outfitted with a/c, LCD-CTV, wifi, fridge, en suite bathroom with hot/cold water and wooden furniture including a proper writing desk. Conference facilities. #695, St. 106, Village Preak Mohatep, Khum Svay Por, Battambang City, Cambodia. Tel: +(855)(0)81-999006       +(855)(0)92-999006       +(855)(0)53-953733 Fax: +(855)(0)53-953734 reservation@holidayhotel-bb.com www.holidayhotel-bb.com
	Khemara Battambang I Hotel Range: $15 - $450 137 rooms. One of Battambang’s best. Well-appointed a/c rooms and suites with all amenities: Cable TV, fridge, IDD, free wifi, en suite with hot water. Swimming pool, restaurant, gym, spa, massage, shop and karaoke club. Visa/MC Tel: +(855)(0)53-737878       +(855)(0)17-612168 Fax: +(855)(0)53-732626 admin@khemerahotel.com/gm@khemarahotel.com  www.khemarahotel.com
	Park Hotel Range: $5 - $9 Overlooking a nice little park near the entrance to town. Reasonably priced a/c and fan rooms with attached bathroom, cable TV, hot water and fridge. Free pick up. Tel: +(855)(0)53-953773       +(855)(0)12-817170 Phone/Fax: +(855)(0)53-953773              park_hotelbtb@yahoo.com
	Phka Villa Range: $55 (breakfast included) Stylish bungalows situated around a garden swimming pool. A/C, Cable TV, attached bath with hot water, nice decor, quite atmosphere. Restaurant and bar. Visa/MC Tel: +(855)(0)53-953255 E-mail: info@phkavilla.com Website: www.phkavilla.com
	Ramchang Guesthouse Range: $6 - $28 Clean, budget-friendly fan and a/c rooms in Battambang. Fan rooms from only $6. All rooms with cable TV, fridge, in-room wifi and en suite bathroom with hot and cold water. Some rooms with other amenities including hair dryer, coffee maker, etc. Hotel restaurant serving Khmer and western food and other tourist services including laundry service. On Street 403, Phum Ang, Sangkat Ochar, Battambang City, Cambodia. Tel: +(855)(0)12-872326       +(855)(0)77-417333       +(855)(0)78-525333 romchangguesthouse@ymail.com
	Reaksmey Battambang Hotel Range: $10 - $15 New multi-storey hotel about 1 km west of town on Route #5. Large a/c rooms with CTV and en suite with hot water. Upper floor rooms with a nice view of the area. Elevator. Restaurant. Tel: +(855)(0)53-952707       +(855)(0)12878799 Fax: +(855)(0)53-952708 reaksmey_btb@yahoo.com www.reaksmeyBtbHotel.com
	Spring Park Hotel Range: $6 - $10 A/c and fan rooms with all amenities including IDD and Internet port. En suite bathroom. Conference room. Elevator. Free pick-up and internet. Boat, bus tickets available. Tel: +(855)(0)12-849999       +(855)(0)15-789999 Phone/Fax: +(855)(0)53-730999 spparkhotel@yahoo.com
	Stung Sangke Hotel Range: $40 - $120 A leading hotel in Battambang with 130 rooms and suites. Only a 5 minute walk from ferry dock and a 10-15 minute walk to visit colonial architecture, the provincial hall, Phsar Nat and pagodas. Large, well-appointed rooms. Wifi. Swimming pool and gym. All in all a very good value. Tel: +(855)(0)53-953495 info@stungsangkehotel.com www.stungsangkehotel.com
	Vimean Sovannaphoum Resort Range: $30 - $80 Unique hotel, in town on the riverside on the east side of the river. Rooms, suites and villas with a/c, CTV, in-.room wifi, fridge, en suite bathroom with hot water.. Family rooms available. In-room wifi. Swimming pool. Massage. Visa/MC Tel: 012-610908       077-993288 vimeansovannaphoum@hotmail.com www.vimeansovannaphoum.com

Battambang

Restaurants/Bars

There are a fair number of eateries in town, both local and foreigner-run. These days you can have an authentic Cambodian meal or a fine French dinner, enjoy a cup of espresso at a riverside cafe and even party late into the evening at the bar. Several restaurants including a couple with bars are clustered in the walking district just south of the market. For local street food check out Street 2 path through Phsar Nath and the riverfront park near the Provincial Museum.

The Apple of Love (Pomme d’amour)

Patrice cooks Khmer cuisine with a French twist, sophisticated and creative. The food is exceptional, the cozy atmosphere exquisite and the local staff a delight. All the culinary delights are gathered in the Apple of Love from the appetizer to the wine card. One of Battambang’s best dining venues.
www.madison-corner.com
www.visitbattambang.com

Au Cabaret Vert

Traditional Cambodian dishes (Fish Amok) and French cuisine (home-made foiegras, and ouillette with mash potatoes...) Selected wines, great cocktails, first Kingdom draft in town. Fine dining with setting sun on the tropical garden. Free wifi.

7AM - 9:30 PM

Tel: 053-6562000

Bambu Hotel

The restaurant/bar at the Bambu Hotel offers some of the better dining in town - primarily western favorites and some local choices. BBQ Lamb Chops, imported steak, baked grouper and more. Free wifi.

Visa/MC/ANZ
Tel: +(855)(0)53-953900
Fax: +(855)(0)53-953951
bookings@bambuhotel.com 
www.bambuhotel.com
 

Battambang Comfort Inn Restaurant

Restaurant and late night bar at the Battambang Comfort Inn near the Market. Serving authentic Cambodian food, Asian fusion dishes and a variety of western dishes including pizzas. Good fruit shakes. Full bar, cocktails, wines and draft beer of only 75 cents. Free wifi.

Open until 2AM.

Tel: 053-952195

      016-666371
 

Cafe Eden

Riverfront cafe with a nice riverside view serving mostly western favorites: breakfasts, salads, BLTs, Philly Cheese Steak, both veg and meat burgers, Pizza, lots of mains. Good coffee. Wifi.
www.cafeedencambodia.com
 

City Cafe

One of the few air-con places in town, popular with local, occasionally discovered by tourists. Lots of rice and noodle dishes at reasonable prices. Some western dishes. English menu. Full bar.

On Route #5 in town

Cafe Flirt Western-run cafe and bar in the center of town. Serving excellent western breakfast, and lots of western favorites for lunch and dinner - burgers, mains, Mexican, pasta... Full bar, draft beer, spirits, cocktails, pool table, open until at least 11:00PM. Next to White Rose restaurant, just off Street 2.

Chinese Noodle Restaurant

Inexpensive local restaurant Just a few doors down from the White Rose. Very good fresh made noodles, noodle soup, lots of Chinese dishes. Good place for a local breakfast noodle soup (kuiteo) or fried meat and rice.

The Green Mango Café & Bakery

Large full air-conditioned restaurant and bakery located on the New Bridge Road about 50 meters west of the river, near Park Hotel. Offering a nice selection of western, American and Mexican breakfasts and lunches - Granola, eggs and potatoes, biscuits and sausage gravy, burgers, meatloaf, pizzas, burritos, tacos and more. A few Khmer dishes as well. Fresh baked cakes, cookies, brownies, pies, breads. Wifi. Delivery.
Tel: 053-6499966

      017-315450

www.greenmangoCGI.com

Hubb Downtown

Large air-con restaurant at the Stung Sangke Hotel. Serving affordable Cambodian, Thai, Chinese dishes and some western selections as well including burgers, spaghetti and pizza. Live traditional Cambodian music every evening. Large enough to accommodate banquets and meeting. Full bar. Wifi.
Tel: 053-6665009

      070-728272

hubbdowntown@yahoo.com

www.hubbdowntown.com

Kinyei

Artsy little corner shop cafe and bar on the quiet Street 1-1/2. Breakfasts, sandwiches, good coffees, teas and juices. More on the board. Wifi. Good work space. Bicycle rental and tours available.

www.kinyei.org

La Villa

Some of the finest western dining in town. Excellent western and Asian food and a wide range of cocktails served in an a/c restaurant or the garden patio of a beautifully restored 1930s colonial villa. Wine selection. Western managed. Closed Tuesdays.
Tel: 053-730151

      017-411880

Madison Corner

Friendly family atmosphere of Patrice and his lovely Khmer wife Nary, where you can enjoy a drink, draft beer, cocktail, home-made rum and a large variety of ice creams and local snacks. Some of the best crepes in Cambodia. A Battambang meeting place. 6AM-Midnight. Great place for breakfast an espresso before catching the boat to Siem Reap. Popular bar, especially in the evening, often one of the last places in town to close.
www.madison-corner.com
www.visitbattambang.com

Phka Villa

Hotel restaurant and bar serving a good selection of western and traditional Cambodian dishes. Full bar open until 11:30PM. Indoor and poolside seating.

Local family-run place.

Tel: 053-953255

www.phkavilla.com

The River

Unique, riverside bar and restaurant, open-air and under the trees and stars. Comfortable table seating and a proper bar and bar seating. Serving Cambodian snack and meals as well as several western choices. Full bar with cocktails, draft beer and wine. A pretty special place. Located riverside near the Old Stone Bridge..

Located riverside near the Old Stone Bridge.

www.theriverbb.com
 

Riverside Balcony

The name says it. Western managed balcony bar and restaurant hovering over the bank of a quiet stretch of the Sangker River. Very friendly place. Good western food - burgers, sandwiches, specials on the board. Full bar. Located at the south end of town.

Located at the south end of town.
 

Secret Café

Small, air-conditioned cafe/restaurant serving drinks, snacks and light meals at the Tola petrol station near the Khemara Battambang 1 hotel on the road to Ek Phnom. Wifi.

About 1km north of town center.
Open 6:30AM - 9:00PM
Tel: 088-8955447

White Rose Well-known and long-established, this corner-shop Cambodian restaurant offers an extensive menu, pretty good Cambodian food, ice cream, reasonable prices. Street 2 near several other restaurants. Another good place to for Cambodian breakfast.

6:30AM - 10PM.

Located on street 2.

Battambang: What to See

Battambang City is absolutely full of wonderful colonial-era architecture and historic old pagodas, and the surrounding countryside harbors not only Angkorian-era ruins and historic pagodas but also offers some of the most picturesque rice paddy and village scenery in the country. 

Bamboo Train

The bamboo train is a unique and creative form of ad-hoc local transportation. It consists of a small motorcycle engine-powered bamboo cart that rides the railroad tracks, picking up and dropping off passengers, cargo, animals, motorcycles along the way. When it meets on-coming train or bamboo train, it can be disassembled and taken off the rails in a minute or two, allowing the other to pass. Cambodia is currently in the process of upgrading its rail system. When the Battambang tracks are replaced, the Bamboo Train will likely come to an end. If you ever wanted to try the bamboo train, it’s now or never.

Circus

The Phare Ponleu Selpak NGO gives Cambodian children from disadvantaged families the opportunity to “access culture via different artistic activities” including music, drawing, drama, dance and circus. Offering traditional Cambodian circus performances and other show. Look for fliers around town.

Tel: 012-890360

053-952424

Located on Route #5 about 1km west of town.

www.phareps.org

Cooking Classes

Nary Kitchen is offering twice daily Cambodian cooking classes, morning and afternoon, taught by Ms. Nary. The class is about 2-1/2 hours and includes a market trip, preparing a single traditional Cambodian meal (recipe sheet included) and then enjoying the fruits of your labor for lunch or dinner.

Located just west of Phsar Nath. See map for exact location.

Tel: 012-763950

The Smokin' Pot restaurant near the White Rose restaurant at the corner of Street 1 in the center of town also offers cooking classes.

Countryside Tour

The rural countryside outside of Battambang is National Geographic picturesque. Within just a few kilometers of town the countryside turns into small villages filled with stilted houses and rice paddies that stretch to the horizon. You’ll see plenty of countryside on the way to any of the local sites. Check out some of the local products in the making - rice paper, noodles and the fishpaste market. It’s all very traditional if not a bit unhygienic and smelly, but a interesting experience and adventure nonetheless. The roads are often rough and during the dry season. always exceptionally dusty. Bring a good hat and a krama to cover your nose and mouth. 

Ek Phnom
Ek Phnom, about 45 minutes from Battambang, is an substantial early-11th century Angkorian-era temple ruin built as a Hindu temple under the ruler Suryavarman I. The temple is in rough condition, consisting of prasats on a platform with some Hindu themed carvings in pretty good condition. Wat Ek Phnom, a modern Buddhist pagoda, sits picturesquely next to the ruin and a small lake. The river road drive to Ek Phnom from Battambang passes through some absolutely beautiful countryside, along a palm lined Stung Sangker river and through several small villages.  

Phnom Banan
Phnom Banan Phnom Banan is a mountaintop, mid-11th century Angkorian-era ruin consisting of five prasats (towers) arranged in the quincunx (five-pointed) form reminiscent of Angkor Wat. The temple was built by the Khmer ruler Udayadityavarman II, son of Suryavarman I, the king who built the temple at Ek Phnom. Several lintel carvings are in good condition. The mountaintop is a peaceful location with a sweeping view of the surrounding area. There is a small cave nearby known as L’Ang But Meas. A very old (150 years+) active pagoda at the base of the mountain. As both are south of Battambang City, the trip to Phnom Banan is often combined with a stop at Phnom Sampeou.

Pagodas

Battambang town and the surrounding countryside are rich with beautiful old pagodas, some of them hundreds of years old, highly respected and displaying some very unique art and architecture. There are nine pagodas in Battambang town alone. In town, Wat Kandal displays some of the most interesting architecture and vihear paintings. Wat Tahm Rei Saw, built in 1903, is one of those rare Cambodian wats to display paintings of the Hindu epic Reamker. See absolutely indispensable Around Battambang for more information about visiting the local pagodas.

Phnom Sampeou Mountain

Phnom Sampeou is a mountain steeped in legend, topped by Wat Sampeou and a group of caves used as 'killing caves' by the Khmer Rouge, containing the skeletal remains of their victims. The wat is unexceptional but the view is spectacular. The whole area in intertwined with the well-known Khmer folk legend of Neang Rumsay Sok, 'the girl who let down her hair.' Many of the local geographic features are named after aspects of the legend, including Phnom Sampeou (Boat Mountain.) Ask your guide or driver to tell you the legend. For sake of ease, take the winding path up the mountain rather than the stairs. The stairs make for a formidable climb. 

Provincial Museum

The Battambang Provincial Museum on the riverfront in the center of town houses a large collection of Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artifacts - statues, carvings, bits of ancient temples, pottery, etc. These little provincial museums can be a real treat for the Angkor enthusiast, containing some rare and unique pieces, and this is one of the best of the provincial museums. Hours: 8:00AM-11:00AM / 2:00PM-5:00PM, make reservations for weekend visit and they will open the door for you. Friendly people always happy to see visitors. Guides available. Admission: US$1.00.
Tel: 092-914688, 016-896727

Shopping in

Battambang

Traditionally, Battambang was a place to buy marble and wood carvings, cut and uncut sapphires and Pursat oranges. It still is, but Battambang has also been taking on an artier air of late, with a couple/few new art and shopping venues opening amongst the quaint old colonial shophouses, especially in the walking district in the blocks just south of Phsar Nath.

Phsar Nath in town is the main phsar (traditional market,) geared to the locals, vending the usual fruits, vegetables, meat, clothes, sundries, etc. Gem dealers, a couple of banks, photo shops and moneychangers line the streets that ring the phsar. Phsar Leu, just south of town, is the place to buy local fruits: oranges and pomelos from Pursat. The oranges are said to be the best in the country.

Chea Neang Drink Shop is a small convenience store on the west side of Phsar Nath, popular with foreigners and offering ice cream bars, cheeses, yogurt, wines, and other imported items.

The Smiling Sky Bookshop Second hand bookshop dealing in English language books - Cambodia related titles, novels, popular literature. Buy sell trade. Road #3..  

Banks in Battambang

Money

Like the rest of Cambodia, the Cambodian riel is the official currency but the US Dollar is the de facto tender. Hotel prices are set in dollars. Unique to Battambang and western Cambodia, Thai baht is in common use as well. 

Banks and ATMs

All banks encash travelers checks and change money and most have ATMs. Canadia Bank, UCB and ANZ Royal are located in front of Phsar Nath, all with ATMs. The ACLEDA Bank on the east side of the river offers Western Union. Moneychanger/gold sellers are concentrated around the market with a few along Road #1.

ACLEDA Bank Plc. 
Western Union service, locations throughout Cambodia. ATMs, cash transfer, Travelers Cheques, en-cashed and sold... Visa/Gold Dot
Kamakar Village, Sangkat Svay Por, Battambang Municipality, Battambang Province, Cambodia.

Tel: +(855)(0)53-953171

      +(855)(0)15-900229

www.acledabank.com.kh

Cambodia Asia Bank 
Currency exchange, t/c exchange, Western Union services. Visa/MC
#72, Street 3, Battambong Province, Cambodia.

Tel: +(855)(0)53-953149

Fax: +(855)(0)53-953150

www.cab.com.kh
 

SBC Bank 
Currency exchange, ATM, t/c exchange, Western Union services. Visa/MC/Maestro/Cirrus/Diners Club International/Riels.
#118, Street 2, Battambong Province, Cambodia.

Tel: +(855)(0)53-953339

www.sbc-bank.com 
 

Union Commercial Bank (UCB) 
Currency exchange, ATM, t/c exchange, ‘No commission’ Visa card cash advance. 

No. 100E0, Group 9, Prek Moha Tep village, Sangkat Svay Por, Battambang Town, Battambang Province, Cambodia.

www.ucb.com.kh

Last updated April 2013

Battambang

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