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Battambang was established as an important trading city with around 2,500 residents in the 18th century. They lived mostly along a single road parallel to the Sangkae River. In 1795 Thailand, then Siam, annexed much of northwestern Cambodia including the province of Battambang and [wiki=a39fc88e2386ddaeebb5872da6a83ee6]Siem Reap[/wiki]. The Siamese Abhaiwongse family ruled Battambang as governors for six generations until 1907 when the province was ceded to the French to be part of their French Indochina colony.
Following the colonization of the French in Battambang the colonial administration developed an urban layout which enlarged the size of the French colonial town. In the first time development, they constructed a grid pattern of well-defined streets, put in the urban structures and built three main streets parallel to the Sangker River, connected the both side with two bridges in 1917. Military purposes and prison infrastructures were erected inside the compound. 19 years later, a second urban development plan was created with a newly constructed railway linked from Battambang to [wiki=0d021d5b6d6f7424119928cbb5ed257c]Phnom Penh[/wiki]. The urban structure was extended to the west of the town, featuring some important urban axes orienting on the railway station. Many outstanding buildings like residential villas and significant public buildings were constructed during that period. According to the third urban development plan for Battambang, a large extension was planned for the north, east and south of the city. The urban layout was technically planned and required long-term thinking to create an urban axis corresponding to the existing urban layout from the former period. Battambang grew as a modern provincial capital, and became the most developed part of all provinces in [wiki=06c7a3c3a3344a62864b951aec4df830]Cambodia[/wiki].
Several large infrastructures and public facilities were built under the modernization program of the Cambodian government under Prince Sihanouk. Several provincial departments, the court house and other public administrations were set up on both sides of the river. Textile and garment factories were built by French and Chinese investors, the Battambang Airport was constructed, and the railway line was developed to reach [wiki=49f11583878c62d7a49ff53e3fd3a7c5]Poipet[/wiki]. Numerous schools and a university were built. A sports centre, museum and an exhibition hall were constructed to serve the cultural needs of the growing population.
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By road
National Highway 5 is paved and from Battambang runs southeast to [wiki=0d021d5b6d6f7424119928cbb5ed257c]Phnom Penh[/wiki] and northwest to [wiki=47f783c3acbc84366522d7b038ae9bb8]Sisophon[/wiki] and [wiki=49f11583878c62d7a49ff53e3fd3a7c5]Poipet[/wiki]. At [wiki=47f783c3acbc84366522d7b038ae9bb8]Sisophon[/wiki], National Highway 6 branches off to provide paved access to [wiki=a39fc88e2386ddaeebb5872da6a83ee6]Siem Reap[/wiki]. In a car, [wiki=0d021d5b6d6f7424119928cbb5ed257c]Phnom Penh[/wiki] is around 4 hr away and [wiki=47f783c3acbc84366522d7b038ae9bb8]Sisophon[/wiki] can be reached in just under 1 hr. By bus, [wiki=0d021d5b6d6f7424119928cbb5ed257c]Phnom Penh[/wiki] takes about 5-6 hr and cost about US$4. [wiki=a39fc88e2386ddaeebb5872da6a83ee6]Siem Reap[/wiki] takes at least 3 hr and costs $5 ($6 at a local tour provider).
UPDATE: March 2014, buses are no longer allowed to drive into the city. The new bus station is about 3 km west of the city centre. A tutuk to the city centre will cost about $1.
The major bus companys, e.g. Capitol, Sorya, are still running their offices in the city and offer a free minivan transfer to the bus station. Smaller companies will take you to their own offices where you are at the mercy of the two or so moto drivers hanging around (they'll insist the city is 8km. away).
Highway 57 from Battambang to [wiki=46c15060045242c54c64c5854e858333]Pailin[/wiki] was paved in 2010. Paramount Angkor Buses run twice daily from Battambang to [wiki=46c15060045242c54c64c5854e858333]Pailin[/wiki] (2 hr) for $4.
From Siem Reap there are buses at 7:30am, 10:30am and 13:30pm. The Capitol bus at 13:30 costs $3.75
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By boat
One boat a day travels from [wiki=a39fc88e2386ddaeebb5872da6a83ee6]Siem Reap[/wiki] (for [wiki=928325f3182d9bb26b6c815925347090]Angkor[/wiki]) to Battambang, departing Siem Reap at 07:00. An interesting and very scenic journey along small rivers, the boat threads its way through numerous charming floating villages and past dozens of towering cantilevered fishing net installations. It can take between 4-12 hr, depending on the time of year (and hence the water level), however the time can be fairly accurately predicted by checking the time that the same boat arrived yesterday.
During the dry season, when the water level gets very low, the boats cannot get all the way to Battambang and the journey is completed by minibus or pick-up truck.
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By rail
Cambodia's defunct rail system is due to be regenerated by 2013. The line runs from [wiki=49f11583878c62d7a49ff53e3fd3a7c5]Poipet[/wiki] on the Thai border through [wiki=47f783c3acbc84366522d7b038ae9bb8]Sisophon[/wiki] and along the southern side of the [wiki=873dd0931db770cf36786a6484269f5a]Tonle Sap Lake[/wiki] to [wiki=b945d981e0006cc167ae7e15eb42ff61]Battambang[/wiki] and [wiki=0d021d5b6d6f7424119928cbb5ed257c]Phnom Penh[/wiki].
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The city centre is quite compact and can be mostly explored by foot. Bicycles can be rented from most hotels or private companies for US$1-2 per day. Motorcycles can be rented from US$7 a day, or $5 for half a day. Some hotels rent bikes. The driving habits of locals are hazardous. Police may try to fine tourists on motobikes. If pulled over, stay calm, smile & take the key out of the ignition (to prevent the police trying to ransom it), and pay a small fine of US1-2. Arguing, waving your driving licence in their faces or otherwise upsetting the police is not recommended.
Tuk-tuks and motorbike drivers hang around popular tourist areas. As most of the interesting and useful destinations are quite close to each other, most rides should only cost around US$2-4. More distant trips like Phnom Sampouv (the 'killing caves') will cost around US$10, and can be combined with other destinations for a total of US$12-15.
Finding a driver with good English and local knowledge can be very useful. Tuk tuk driver Mr Saam Bo (092 95 15 15) knows the city & surrounds better than most. He is also a "fixer" able to get you best prices for local goods and services; and a tour guide, explaining the history of temples and other landmarks.
Small boats act as ferries (500 riel) and cross the river in front of the market.
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Battambang is known for its statues which seemingly decorate every public place. Most are of animals (mythical and real) and divinities.
The most famous of these statues is on the main road in from Phnom Penh and is of an ancient Khmer King holding a stick which he used to quell rebellions in the Battambang area. The name of the town / province comes from this legend.
The town also has a number of fine early-20th-century French colonial buildings. Most of the colonial buildings can be found along the waterfront (St 1), especially just south of Psar Nat (which is quite impressive in itself). Famous Art Deco buildings are the Central market, the swimming pool Victory (riverside) and the train station. Along streets 1, 2, 21/2 and 3 are charming examples of Chinese, French and Italian architecture, with peculiar mirroring of houses constructed on one side in brick, square pillars and on the other one in concrete, round pillars. Street 3 has some charming French shop-houses.
*The Governors Residence is the most impressive colonial building, a legacy of the early 1900s with balconies and wooden shutters and grand reception room with a 5m ceiling. It was designed by an Italian architect for the last Thai governor, who departed in 1907. The interior is closed but you can explore the grounds at leisure.
*Battambang Museum (admission US$1) displays fine Angkorian lintels and statuary from all over the Battambang province, including Phnom Banan and Sneng, and it has multi-lingual signs.
Around Battambang:
* Phnom Sampeu, a hill with the Killing Caves of the Khmer Rouge, a few others caves adorned with Buddhist statues, and a monastery with two Buddhist Stupas on the hilltop. Entry is US$3 - also covering Wat Banan - and it takes about 1 hr to climb the circuit to the monastery on top, with a short-cut leading back down to the shops and restaurants which line the approaching road. Just before the ticket office, you can see a cave about 100 metres or so up the rock face. At around about 5.30 or thereabouts every evening, you can witness a steady stream of bats exiting the cave. It takes about 40 minutes for all the bats to leave. There must be tens of thousands of bats that make this journey every night. Some locals say over 1 million bats, but who knows? Whatever the number is, it's an amazing sight. From the main road, you should be able to see the bats forming various formations in the sky.
* Wat Banan, the so-called mini-Angkor wat, an impressive flight of stairs lead up to a dilapidated Angkor-style temple which is still in use as a Buddhist shrine. Once at the top of the temple follow the trail on the south side of the hill. It will lead you down and eventually to a breathtaking cave. Huge sky light ceilings and plenty of bats.
Secret Cave: (12°56′57.89″N, 103°08′11.15″E)
* Wat Baydamram, a temple where hundreds of fruit bats live in trees under the protection of the Buddhist monks.
* Wat Ek Phnom, another Angkor-type temple ruin, about 15 km north west of Battambang. The road runs along lovely small rivers flanked by trees and small villages making it a generally nice area. Approaching Wat Ek Phnom, you suddenly encounter a giant Buddha statue in the Wat, which is certainly picture-worthy. The grounds of the Wat also have an Angkorian era temple which is in relatively good shape and with some interesting carvings.
*Wat Samraong Knong, roughly translated as 'Wat in the forest' is an extremely old pagoda on the eastern side of the Sangker River. The eerie old Wat was used as a Khmer Rouge prison, and there were many executions on the premises. A new pagoda is now being built, and there is a memorial to the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime, with graphic illustrations just to the north.
There are several opportunities to explore villages just south of town. The cultural village of Watkor, just a few kilometres south of the town centre has several "ancient wooden houses" from the early 20th century. Further south are the agricultural villages of Kompong Seyma, and Ksach Puoy. For info call District Administration Battambang: ☎ +855 1288 1516, +855 1666 6111.
*The shows are fun, energetic and exciting and include a range of circus disciplines. The ticket price helps support the NGO school which works with disadvantaged children and teenagers. After the show, you can have dinner there for US$6.
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[url=://www.givehopetothevulnerable.org/ - primary focus is providing free English lessons to very poor local children.
GHV needs volunteers in these areas: Teaching (all subjects in English), Teaching English, Vocational Training, Sewing, Cooking.
Comfortable, safe accommodation is available on site for $5 per night, close to Battambang city.
Dr. Yan Pich, Executive Director
H/P: (855) 92 20 63 48
Email: pichyan@hotmail.com
Mr. Houngbedji G. John, Vice Executive Director
H/P: (855) 92 855 255
Email: john4peace27@yahoo.com
[[Image:Takomschool.jpg|thumb|right|240px|One of CAD's projects - Takom Village][Image:BambooTrainDerFussi.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The bamboo train near Battambang]]
* Bicycle Tours: [url=http://www.butterflytour.asia/]]: Bicycle tours with Butterfly Tours takes you on a half day or full day trip to various sites around Battambang. The tour is an initiative run by university students and priced reasonably - around $15 for a half day tour. The guides are students of English at the university level and provide an interesting local insight into life in Cambodia. ☎ (855) 89297070 ([mailto:booking@butterflytour.asia booking@butterflytour.asia[/url])
* Soksabike Tours: [url=http://www.soksabike.com/]]: Soksabike is a social enterprise dedicated to sustainable tourism in Battambang. They offer half day and full day bike tours around the countryside where guests can learn about the everyday life and culture of Cambodia. The money for the tour is distributed to families in the community along the way and goes to pay the salaries of the guides, all local university students. They use high quality mountain bikes and include a coffee at one of the best cafes in town. ☎ (+855)12542019 Email:info@soksabike.com
* Visit local industries by asking a tuk tuk driver to bring you around the local countryside. See the locals weaving silk material with old wooden looms, making rice paper for spring rolls, visit a crocodile farm and hold a baby crocodile, see and smell fish paste and fish sauce being made and in the dry season visit the mushroom farms. Only the crocodile farm charges $2 to visit while most of the others will have items for sale, they make very little money so consider buying something and bring small change as they will have none. This tour will only take a couple of hours so it is possible to hire the driver for the whole day for $20 and include other sights. Tuk tuk drivers at The Lux Guesthouse (see below) are familiar with this tour, ask in particular for Peter ☎ 097 920 1988 bouset@rocketmail.com
* Rent a bicycle and cycle along the river. Upstream (south) or downstream (north). Both directions are flat and mostly paved, and it is possible to cycle along the river bank for a considerable distance, of up to 20 km each way. Also worth trying are the unpaved roads, they are easy to cycle along, have nearly no traffic and there plenty of children to say hello. A good address for renting regular and better bicycles is The Battambang BIKE rental and repair directions="60 street 2,5" info@thebattambangbike.com ☎ +855 17 905 276
* The Bamboo Train: (The term "train" being used loosely - A large bamboo platform mounted on train axles powered by a small go-kart engine). A trip to the train can be booked in most hotels or arranged with a motorbike/tuk-tuk driver. Currently it is regulated by Battambang's Tourist Police, with a standard rate of US$5 per person, minimum 2 people or US$10 for one person, with discounts for larger groups. It is worthwhile asking the driver to stop at scenic places. PLEASE NOTE: There have been plans to upgrade the tracks for the PoipetPnomh Penh trains, which will mean the end of the Bamboo train. Currently (late September 2013) there is no set date, but it's apparently (still) right around the corner.
*Go on a beautiful Stung Sangker river voyage from the small village of Ksach Poy to Battambang, past riverside terraces and traditional bamboo houses. Get away from the dusty roads and learn first hand about traditional fishing and farming techniques. Half day trip, 13 km.
====Take a cooking class====
Many restaurants around Battambang offer cooking classes at varying prices.
Nary Kitchen, About 200m down Street 111, which begins near the western end of Psar Nath, the main market., ☎ 012 763 950 (get your tuk tuk guy to phone for directions if lost) (navuthk@yahoo.com). 8 am to 10 pm. Kitchen hygiene standards are exacting. Nary's Kitchen is famed for its cooking school out the back. (Don't get this place mixed up with THE Kitchen - another eatery.)
* Ch'Ngainh Ch'Ngainh, a homely and familial approach to cookery carried out in a family home. ([mailto:sambath_9@yahoo.com sambath_9@yahoo.com]) ☎ +855 12 63 93 50. Daily courses priced at US$10.
* The Smoking Pot, daily courses with a minimum of two or more people, which can be a problem in low season. Priced at US$10.
====Volunteering====
Giving something back to the friendly and helpfull locals.
* GHV (Give Hope to the Vulnerable) NGO[/url]]
* Children’s Action for Development (CAD) [url=http://www.cadcambodia.org],]is a community-based non-government and non-profit organisation that provides Khmer and English literacy classes, life skills, child rights awareness, environmental awareness, job training, girl empowerment, nutrition, community education and family business programs to support poor, orphaned, vulnerable and disadvantaged rural children and families. Depending on current projects you are able to volunteer in a variety of ways, whereas the local founder Racky Thy[url=http://www.cadcambodia.org/contact-us/[/url]](known to the "Lonely Planet"-reader) will find a suitable job for you. [url=http://www.geo.de/blog/geo/mittendurch-statt-druberweg/kambodscha/auch-den-rmsten-eine-perspektive-bieten[/url]]will give you some impressions (text in German language).
* Khmer New Generation Organization (KNGO) [http://www.kngovolunteer.org/index.html[/url] (+855 092 79 05 97), is an NGO founded and run by Mr. Sun Saveth to aid the community of Bospo Village, Cambodia (reachable from Battambang by bike, moto, or tuk-tuk, about 5km from the city). KNGO is a nonprofit that also works on health, environment, and employment initiatives in the Bospo community. Mr. Saveth and his staff of ten offer Khmer literacy and supplementary education classes, computer classes, and English classes. KNGO welcomes volunteers who are willing to come and teach or to work in the office assisting the Executive Director with various tasks such as social media outreach, project management, and writing. Volunteers can elect to stay in Bospo Village and experience the traditional Cambodian lifestyle for a small fee (currently $13/day including all meals). KNGO also offers tours to visitors, donations gladly accepted.
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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.
Good French-style bread costs 1,000 rial a medium-size baguette up north, between the French cultural centre and the giant statue marking the entry in Battambang from the main interprovincial 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 [wiki=0d021d5b6d6f7424119928cbb5ed257c]Phnom Penh[/wiki] a baguette-shape, but sprinkled with sugar, however 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.
You can find insects (beetles, river snakes, etc) fried with sweet soy sauce opposite the Post Office at night or across (from the Phsar Nath market part) the Stung Sangke bridge which is located at the corner and also sells fruits and other amenities.
In the daytime, you can find street food at Phsar Nath or better, at Boeung Chhouk market near the inter-city bus area. Every night you will find a long row of food stalls opposite the Post Office by the river. Less touristy, cheap and some stalls have menu in English.
*Possibly the best value-for-money eatery in town, combining an ethical, noble cause paired with wholesome, delicious food. HOC ( Hope Of Children) is an NGO orphanage sheltering and educating disadvantaged children affected by poverty, domestic violence and childhood HIV. Earnings from the cafe is helping them to become financially independent.
HOC is managed by the most jolly and friendly staff you'll come across in town - always personalized service with a smile. Their breakfast special is a killer: all-you-can-eat fruit, muesli, yoghurt, bread and your choice of eggs for just $3! Blend into the mix that most of their stuff is either organic and/or homemade, and you have a hard to beat value for money offering.
The dinner specials are more expensive ($6) but for good reason: Fresh organic buffet salads and dressings, one entree of your choice, one main course and one dessert are all included. If its in your budget, dinners at the HOC are nothing short of an epic splurge.
On the downside, the aircon seems to be permanently switched off, and the coffee is ok but nothing spectacular. Also their beef and pork can be extremely hard and chewy, so best opt for vegetarian or chicken. If you are a coffee addict, have your breakfast here and head straight for Kinyei Cafe which is just an easy 5 mins walk east, which is nothing short of spectacular coffee and amongst the best in SouthEast Asia.
*Winner of the 2012 and 2013 Cambodian Restaurants Association Barista Championship. Good cafe menu with excellent coffee, their winning signature coffees are worth a try. The piccolo is spectacular. Possibly the best coffee in Cambodia, whilst being a social enterprise with a very cool alleyway atmosphere. The food is somewhat pricey.
* Traditional Cambodian dishes, their speciality is fish amok, complemented by a French-style menu that includes desserts and wine.
* Relaxed atmosphere, delicious food and friendly staff
* Western style riverfront cafe restaurant run by an American woman. Serves Western and Asian food, and coffee (but no juices). Kitchen works to Western food handling and preparation standards.
* Has moved from Street #3, your map may have it in the old location. The new location is spacious, airy, clean, but unfortunately looks slightly touristy. New, extensive but pricey menu (meals $4-$10), free WiFi. Decent burger and fries for $6.
Staff friendly and helpful. The business is designed to help local people to develop their standards of living and lifestyle. Staff are paid more than the average wage, and this is reflected in the service. There appears to be a well managed training programme in place for all the staff
*Kitchen hygiene standards are exacting. A palatable array of cheap Western dishes such as fried eggplant with minced pork, and roast chicken; and eastern ones such as chicken curry, and beef lok lak. At $1, the fruit shakes are easily the best in Battambang. Has a nice little bar also. Nary's Kitchen is famed for its cooking school out the back, but the restaurant is not to be underestimated, especially for those with delicate stomachs. Nearly all lunch/dinner meals are $3.50; breakfasts are $2-3. Also cooking classes. (Don't get this place mixed up with THE Kitchen - another eatery. And beware of the imitations that have sprung up in the same street.)
*A shop and organic coffee place. The shop sells handmade clothes, bags and wallets made by local home based producers and from other local NGOs, watercolour post cards and pictures made by art students from another NGO. Organic fruit shakes, green tea with fruits and vegetarian breakfast & brunch options. There is also a khmer lady weaving using an authentic old style loom.
* Cooking school-come-restaurant offering a good range of Khmer and Thai food. Vegetarian-friendly. Note that there are two establishments called "Smokin' Pot" a few blocks apart.
* Big menu, and some great fruit shakes. This place is more typically Asian-style than Western-style cosy but is still full of foreigners. Service can be very slow. The owner's father appears sometimes to scream at his family. Hygiene is imperfect, with cooks running to and from the adjoining toilets without washing their hands: stomach problems sometimes result. The teams of boy beggars who approach you at the outside tables are glue addicts, and your donation will facilitate their supply.
*Khmer cuisine with a French twist, sophisticated and creative with pleasant staff. Wine list.
*2 blocks from the central market towards sout-west. A unique venue in Battambang with chic, lounge fee that reflects the mood if its young, creative owners. A contemporary blend of Khmer and French cultures achieved through gastronomy and modern art.
Sandwiches with home-made bread, cakes, cookies, crumbles, chocolate mousses and more... Open from 8 am to 12 pm.
*Full service restaurant serving western and Asian food. Green Mango is also a part of Center for Global Impact's culinary training program for disadvantaged young people.
*An avant-garde meeting and exhibition galery, with kid art classes, film projections, recycling shop and much more
*The only Western-style restaurant which opens at dawn. Does a great Western breakfast and lunch. Juices, espresso, latte, cappuccino. Deli with huge range of cakes, cinnamon muffins, cookies, and Battambang's only wholegrain breads. Unusually fast service by Battambang standards.
*Delicious and Healthy Khmer, Thai, Western, and vegetarian food. Attentive and friendly staff, Clean & Relaxing Environment, Wifi, Xbox,and Board-games.Watch Sports & Movies in a Comfy prívate room. famous dishes: grilled ribs, cheese burgers, crispy chicken burgers, fettuccini alfredo, green curry, coconut cream soup, steamed fish with lime sauce, fried fish with curry sauce, and salted fish omelet, and larb. famous desserts: chocolate cake, apple crisp with ice cream, lemon bars, pumpkin bars, ice cream sandwiches, and brownie.
*A long established restaurant serving a great range of Khmer, Western and fusion foods.The wines and cocktails are excellent. Relaxed atmosphere and good music
*Western cuisine, Swiss specialties. Swiss cheese fondue with homemade bread. All dishes are served with homemade bread.
*A nice Vegetarian Restaurant. Serves modern food.
*Friendly Khmer owned Restaurant in the Center of Battambang. Traditionel Khmer and European Cuisine. Wiener Schnitzel a Speciality. Large Breakfast menu and homemade bread.
Outdoor sitting, Fresh shakes, juices and classic cocktails.
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Everything is provided with a smile. Good smoothies. A good family-run Khmer restaurant.
*Cheap and tasty western and Khmer dishes, usual beer coffee and smoothies, nice atmosphere and tours/bus tickets available at prices much cheaper than the hotels (half the price for a day-bus ticket to Phnom Penh than what the Lux hotel quotes). Staff speak decent English and the manager/owner is very friendly.
*The unique Pub in town. 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.
*NGO restaurant with a reasonably-priced menu with lots of fruit juices, breakfast foods and make-your-own sandwiches.
*Scoop Cocktails Bar(River east Bank)lives sports/ 1 LCD 40inchs and 2 LCD 30inchs, best cocktails in town, free tapas and snacks, happy hours 17:00-19:00 and 22:00-23:30 ( draught beer 75c buy 2 get 1 free, all cocktails $2.50). mid day- late afternoon come for beers or cocktails swim for free.
*Western-managed backpacker bar, restaurant and guesthouse. Has cheap beer, cocktails and good music, and a garden with hammocks. Dorm beds $2, rooms $10.
*Comfy dining experience.
*Newest and chicest restaurant/ bar in town. Set in a beautifully restored colonial era shophouse on the lovely St 2.5, with an Art gallery upstairs and a comfortable lounge bar/ restaurant downstairs that stages regular events. Daily special offers on food and drinks, Lavazza coffee, cocktails, comfortable and friendly, Lotus is fast becoming The place to go in Battambang.
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It was designed to meet the needs of visitors who want to experience the real life of Cambodian people in the countryside. We stay and eat locally and happily spending great time with local students who are living far away from their hometown.
Visitors can make friends with young Cambodian university students, we are also stay away from their hometown continuing our university studies. And we aim to accommodate and host you as friendly as we can. We are curiously wanted to share you about our experiences and expect to learn new things from people all over the world. It is the place of meeting up new people and sharing our own experiences with each other whilst you are traveling through Battambang.
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Budget
Just call the owner Mr. Kun or go to the website. Very friendly atmosphere, traditional Khmer breakfast and lovely fruitplates for the evening, free bicycles, free WiFi, TV, extrodinary Tuk-Tuk drivers with high English-skills and good knowledge about the area and Cambodia in general, contact to local volunteering organisation.
* Talk with Madame Boun Roeung (who speaks some French but no English) about the possibility of staying in her "Ancient House." Accommodation is simple, with foam mattresses on the floor. Other owners of ancient houses may also be open to this.
*Khmer homestay run by Mr. Sophorn a local man who also is the founder of BOVA (Battambang Orphanage Village Assistance). $US12 per person per night which includes pickup and drop off from your location in Battambang, traditional Khmer cuisine, drinking water and accommodation with a Khmer family. Accommodation is very basic but authentic. Bicycles may be borrowed from the orphanage to ride around the village and say hello to all the smiling children. The fee is split between the host family and the Orphanage. Numerous volunteer opportunities at the Orphanage.
* Good hotel with elevator and large reception area. Free WiFi, cableTV and ensuite. Rooftop cafe with 360⁰ views. Newly built in 2008 with cableTV and refrigerator. Rates inc taxes and pick up any station in Battambang city
* Opened in June 2010, single, double and triple rooms, both air-con and non air-con, cableTV available. The cheaper hotel rooms have a shared bathroom, the more expensive ones have private facilities and a refrigerator. Serviced apartments newly opened in June 2010 and have large rooms with kitchenette and balconies, large ensuite, WiFi, cableTV. 24 hr security, free airport/bus station/boat harbour transfers.
* Built in 2009, rooms include hot water, aircon, fan, cableTV, free WiFi, fridge and minibar. Rooms are big clean and nicely decorated, as goes for the entire hotel. Staff are friendly, helpful and a little bit shy. Location is close to nice eating places and at a road which is lit at night.
* Very friendly place with ensuite rooms for just US$3 and one bed in a 4 bed dorm for US$1.50. Has only 4 rooms in total on first floor that also has nice restaurant balcony. Good value. Update September 2014: Rooms are run-down and a bit dirty, need a basic cleaning. Be careful of bedbugs in the dorm, also WiFi does not work in it and it is not possible to lock the room securely.
* Rooftop restaurant. Spacious rooms with bathroom, hot water and air-con. Clean singles and doubles available with shared bathroom and toilets. Wi-Fi working in most rooms + rooftop. Very helpful staff who speaks good english. Free cold water on arrival (but you might have to remind them!!). I had a problem with a motorbike rented from here. However, the manager handled the situation very professionally.
* Good clean hotel with the standard facilities you will find elsewhere in Battambang. Staff are helpful and friendly.
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Nice but basic guesthouse with two 4 bed dorm(1$), 1 double Room(2$) and a shared bathroom.
The cozy rooftop terrace offers drinks(0,75-2$), cocktails(2-3$) from the bar and food(1-4$) from the restaurant.
The owner is very nice and can arrange almost everything for you.
He is also very excited to share some knowledge, if you want to know about cambodia and its people.
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Mid-range
Sangker Villa with pool combines the charm of the countryside to the advantages of the city. Swiss management. Languages : English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
* CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS. Amongst flowering gardens and tropical fruit trees. Good for really relaxing atmosphere and very good western and Thai food.
* Good hotel with elevator and large reception area. Rooms have air-con, wifi, cableTV and ensuite.
* Immaculately clean and well-maintained rooms with double bed, air-con and fan, hot water, TV, and mini-fridge. Visa and MasterCard accepted. If you are in a room far from the router then wifi reception may be very poor or unavailable. Indoor restaurant is closed. Unhelpful staff.
* Very comfortable beds, clean rooms with internet access (LAN cable, but in some rooms a connection from a nearby WiFi network is available), TV, air-con, fan and a fridge. Car parking possible. Also has an outdoor swimming pool. In room massage available from US$5/hr. Bicycle hire US$4/day.
*
* Close to bus station and city centre. Helpful staff. Free WiFi, free bicycles.
* 10 ensuite equipped bungalow rooms, 13 m x 18 m swimming pool, free internet and in-room WiFi, free bicycles, free shuttle to town, airport shuttle (surcharge), car or taxi arranged. All rooms have air-con, fan, network cable LCD TV, DVD player, safety box, stocked mini bar, hair dryer, bathrobe, toiletries. 2 private terraces, one is sun terrace facing the swimming pool. Restaurant and bar open from 06:00-midnight. Hotel opened in 2009, renovated in 2012
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Splurge
New hotel with bungalows around a natural swimming pool. Library, parking, free internet, tours, car and motorbike, electric bike and tuk-tuk hire arranged, international telephone, laundry and historic film screenings.
* Guest house with a swimming pool in a renovated 1930s French colonial period villa, art-deco furniture and fittings. 7 rooms available (6 in the main house and 1 in the house nearby the swimming pool). Each room has a private toilet with bath or shower, air-con, fan, TV and cable network, 4 poster bed with mosquito net, light summer duvet, wardrobe, work desk, safety box, coffee and tea facilities, DVD player with DVD for rent. Located just across the river from the central market. Book ahead as it is often full.
* 16 rooms, inc 4 suite rooms (32 sq m incl bathroom), 6 deluxe superior rooms (27 sq m incl bathroom), 4 deluxe standard rooms (27 sq m incl bathroom). All have en suite bathrooms, air-con, telephone, flat screen cable TV, DVD player, access to DVD library, iPod docker, mini bar, room safe and private terrace or balcony. Free wifi, 2 computer terminals in reception for use by guests, salt water swimming pool (14m x 6) open from 08:00-21:00. Restaurant open 06:00-22:00, wine, beers, fruit juices and soft drinks available from the bar.
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It you are renting a motorbike or a bicycle, your guesthouse will most likely insist that you park inside the building during the night. Enquire with the guesthouse as well as with the rental place on the best way, as well as if you should leave your helmet on the motorbike or take it with you every time you park. There are some times designated places for motorbikes around town with a person issuing tickets, and although Battambang feels safe for travellers, theft feels like it is not uncommon in the city.
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[wiki=a39fc88e2386ddaeebb5872da6a83ee6]Siem Reap[/wiki] - Capitol bus leaves at 7:45, 9:45 and 13:00 and costs 4.5 USD (July 2015).
* [wiki=a39fc88e2386ddaeebb5872da6a83ee6]Siem Reap[/wiki] - By boat, every day, will pick you up from the hotel. Ticket available at your hotel/guest house. Cost 18USD (November 2015) for 6/7 hours depending on the boat. One or two stops for food in the fishermen villages. Arriving in Siem Reap, you will have to take a tuktuk to the center which is quite far, 4/5USD per tuktuk.
* [wiki=3d147c6ba113929f5a004a5e9dcc832e]Bangkok[/wiki] - Buses every day, will pick you up from your guesthouse at 8am. 15 USD (July 2015). Buy ticket directly from your guest house. You will be dropped off at a travel agent in Poipet, who will take your ticket and will stick a colored sticker on your shirt (red or green depending on the company). You will then be driven for a few hundred meters to the Cambodian immigration. Despite all claims that "we will walk you through", you will have to clear Cambodia exit and Thailand entry by yourself, like everyone else. On the Thai side somebody will spot you on the left sidewalk, just keep walking straight. Look for other travellers with stickers irrespective of colour. They will put you in another bus or minivan that will hopefully take you to Khao San Rd in Bangkok arriving 5pm or later depending on traffic.
[wiki=07fd8a80b9c5bca6492a33dd5ef12554]de:Battambang[/wiki]
[wiki=0a18f32f64479b97274ad07abe602200]fr:Battambang[/wiki]
[wiki=2cbfbad2d6a473436b14ad3861ba9d74]it:Battambang[/wiki]
[wiki=6faef0a783cb21e1aea4ff94d51afceb]nl:Battambang[/wiki]
[wiki=d65b683dcb5202dbef726f3916587837]ru:Баттамбанг[/wiki]
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