Battambang is an elegy to French colonialism and lies in the heart of the Northwest and till the war years was the leading rice-producing province of Cambodia. The people in the city are one of the best preserved examples of the French Colonial era, and the small-town feel you expect to happen in Cambodia as a rule. However, the true advantage is the village life that is close to the city -- be it by boat, car or motorbike. The shared consequence makes this province well worth the detour it requires to visit.
Circus Show
One of the good things that come from bad times was the founding of Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) in 1986 in a refugee camp on the Thai border. This volunteer team used simple sketch works to help young refugees overcome the pain of war through art and self-expression.
The PPS’s children are now adults who run a home at Anh Chanh village in Battambang where more than 100 students are able to relish free activities, and acquire an education. One of these activities are an animation centre, music classes and a circus, that currently have a growing reputation.
You can call +855 (0) 53-952 424 or +855 (0) 53 730 535 for the circus performance schedule.
Ride a Bamboo Train
These trains consist of a wooden frame, bamboo decking, an engine and wheels that come from a quarrel wartime tank. They chug up and down the railway between line Battambang and the outskirts of Phnom Penh. Naturally, they're extralegal, but tolerated because they're so helpful – and in any case there is only one real train a week back and forth. These Bamboo trains are normally used for carrying people and merchandise. A Bamboo tour can be booked through most hotels, or you can prepare it through your local tuk-tuk driver.
Sightseeing by motorcycle Taxi
A fun way to see the Cambodian rural area is on the rear of a motorcycle taxi. Puttering along the roads, you’ll go past farms, rivers and small villages. There are many places to stop and take a glance around, like Wat Sampeau which sits on top of a stone hill 18 kilometers out of city. Another is Wat Banan that has a beautiful view with 359 steps to reach the top.
Wat Baydamram is fascinating due to the large number of bats on the trees inside the temple compound, and you must also visit Wat Ek Phnom. Don’t expect to cover all these temples in someday. Take your time, take it slow and revel in the scenery.
The Naga for Peace and Development Monument
On the south of city, this monument is 6.5-metre-tall created by 4 Cambodian artists in 2007. It was built from weapons given by people of Battambang province; as at the end of the years of war, thousands of weapons had been reached hands of Cambodian people. Continuing efforts are being been made by the government and the international bodies to gather and destroy these weapons. Sponsored by the Japanese government, the monument indicates Cambodia’s commitment to peace after the conflict for 30 years back to the Vietnam War.
