TRAVEL | Battambang

Battambang, the second largest city in Cambodia, is a relaxed and laid-back town, primarily a farmer and trader town around 3 hours from Siem Reap. It is the capital of the Battambang province in Cambodia, which is also known as the Rice Bowl of Cambodia becuase of its great production of rice.

Battambang is best known for its Angkor-period ruins at Ek Phnom and Phnom Banan, but there's also Phnom Sampeau - the site of the local Killing Fields, and of course the norry - an innovative Khmer "vehicle" used for travelling along the creaking railways.

Although not on the main tourist route, but it will be worth a visit if you want a place to experience the real Cambodia.

Rice cropping plays an important role in the provincial economy

Wat Ek
An Angkor-type temple ruin, about 15 km north west of Battambang. The road goes alongside lovely small rivers bordered by trees and small villages and is in general a very nice area.

Norry, the bamboo train
A good way to take in the countryside around Battambang is a ride on the bamboo train (called 'norry'). It is a unique and creative form of local transportation, consisting of a small motorcycle engine-powered bamboo cart that rides the railroad rails picking up and dropping off passengers, cargo, animals and motorcycles along the way.

Neak Ta DamBang Kragnoung
The symbol of the province. Battambang literally means loss of stick referring to a legend of Preah Bat Dambang Kranhoung when the King threw his wooden staff from Angkor and landed in present day Battambang