Battambang Province
Battambang Province is a vital agricultural area, and is famous for the fertile soil which allows almost any produce to be grown in spectacular yields. Rice is its main product, and in 2003 over 500,000 tonnes of rice were produced. The Province is capable of feeding the entire country and rice from here is of the highest quality. Other local crops include corn, beans, oranges and sesame. The Province is bordered by the Tonle Sap Lake, Pursat Province and Banteay Meanchey. |
There are 13 Districts, 96 Communes and 741 villages. The population is 1,250,695, 52% women. Farming is the main means of livelihood. Battambang is also the Provincial Capital, and it is Cambodia’s second largest city, located on the northwestern end of the Tonle Sap. Battambang is served by National Highway No.5, and by rail, and by boat between Battambang and Siem Reap.
Rubies and garnets are mined in this Province. Culturally, Battambang also has many ancient temples dating back to the 10th and 13th centuries. These are well worth visiting, both out of historical interest, and as a chance to view the countryside beyond Battambang City.
Things to See and Do
Countryside Tour
The countryside around Battambang looks like something from the pages of National Geographic. A few kilometers from town the traveler encounters small villages with stilt-houses and rice paddies that stretch to the horizon. A trip to any local site will take you deep into this serene landscape.
Ek Phnom is an 11th-century Angkorian temple and was built in 1027 during the reign of Suryavarman I (1002-1050). It is located in Piem Ek commune, 14 km from Battambang.
Phnom Banan is an 11th century temple begun by King Udayadityavarman II (1050-1066), and completed by King Jarvarman VII (1181-1219). The temple is located on the top of a 400m high hill 25km from Battambang. A must-see.
Sneoung Temple was built in the late 12th century, and has three elaborately carved lintels of exceptional quality. There are also three large, crumbling brick buildings nearby, with one carved lintel and decorated pillars at the entrance of the middle tower. A modern pagoda is behind the temple. The site is about 22km from town.
Phnom Sampeou (Ship Mountain) is a natural rocky outcrop which can be climbed via 700 steps. The hill has a series of grottos to explore, each lined with Buddhist shrines and statues. The main temple complex is on the peak. The view of the surrounding countryside is breath talking. Phnom Krapeu (Crocodile Mountain) is visible from the top, as is Phnom Kdoung (Ship-Sail Mountain). Phnom Sampeou is off National Road 57 (former National Road 10), in Sampeou Commune about 12km from Battambang.
Kamping Puoy Reservoir is a gigantic civil engineering project that was central to the Khmer Rouge’s plan to irrigate the countryside around Battambang. It was built at the cost of thousands of lives. Most of the deaths on the Kamping Puoy project resulted from malnutrition, disease, overwork or maltreatment. In short, all the deaths were preventable. Haing S. Ngor’s book Cambodian Odyssey provides a powerful insight into life under the Khmer Rouge in the Province. The reservoir itself runs between two hills:Phnom Kol (or Phnom Ta Ngel) and Phnom Kamping Puoy. It is now a popular picnic site for residents of Pailin and Battambang.