Battambang & Its Surroundings

Battambang Province

It is Cambodia’s second-largest city (urban area population is nearly 1,000,000.00) and the capital of Battambang Province. It is an elegant riverside town, home to some of the best-preserved colonial architecture in the country. Until recently Battambang was off the map for road travellers, but facilities have recently been improved and it makes a great base for visiting the nearby temples (Phnom Banon, Wat Ek Phnom, etc) and villages.

We can experience one of the unique local transportations (bamboo train) from one station to another (about 10 minutes). An antique house which is over 200 years old is also an interesting place to see. Battambang is now a smooth, sealed 293km (181mi) bus or share-taxi ride from the capital. A railway also connects Battambang to Phnom Penh, but passenger service is only once a week. The hotels there are quiet acceptable for foreign visitors (2*/3*) but the restaurants there are simple.

Pailin

It is known as being the area where many of the Khmer Rouge leaders came from and retreated after their fall. Pailin is just another Wild West town of Cambodia and like the gold-rush days of California, The city was during the 1980s and 1990s a major Khmer Rouge strongpoint and resource center.
Wat Gohng-Kahng is very famous and features the much-photographed landmark gate of Pailin town that you face as you arrive on the highway from Battambang. We can do the day return trip from Battambang.