TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN BATTAMBANG PROVINCE

Battambang Province

Battambang Province is 291 km from Phnom Penh on National Road 5 and about 120 km from Poipet. It is located in the northwest where Cambodia borders Thailand. This province is favorable for agricultural crops. The rice and oranges grown in this region are the most delicious in all of Cambodia, and the province has several cultural and ecological tourist destinations.

One such destination is the manmade Kam Ping Puoy Lake. Flanked by two picturesque mountains, the lake is 1,900 meters wide, 19 km in length, and capable of containing 110,000,000 cubic meters of water for crops around the area. The lake is located in Ta Nget village of Ta Kriem commune, 35 km from Battambang on National Road 10. This destination is very popular among Cambodians, who visit on the weekends and holidays with their relatives and friends. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the forest scenery by rowing out onto the water in boats, take in the breeze and the sights of the lake-grown lotus and weeds, and, when the water is smooth as a mirror, see almost to the bottom of the lake.

Another weekend and holiday destination, especially during Buddhist rituals, is Phnom Sampuov, home to the 100 meter picturesque mountain, Sam Pov. During a visit to the pagoda, it is possible that you may be told legends about the history and tracks of the mountain. Located in Sam Pov commune, the mountain is 12 km from Battambang on National Road 57 (formerly National Road 10). On the top of Sam Pov Mountain is a temple and three natural wells: Pkar Slar, Lo Khuon, and Ak So Pheak. Next to the mountain are natural sites, including Phnom Trung Moan, Phnom Trung Tea, and Phnom Neang Rum Say Sork. These mountains are related to the Cambodia folk legends of Reach Kol Neang Run Say Sork.

Another place of interest is the ancient Banan Temple. Adapted to the architecture of the mid-11th to the end of the 12th centuries, it was first built by King Ut Tak Yea Tit Tya Varman II (1050-1066) and was completed by King Jarvarman VII (1181-1219). The temple is located on the top of a mountain in Koh Tey 2 commune of the Banan District, 35 km from Battambang by provincial Road 155 parallel to the Sangker River. In the mountain’s valley, there are moats and two main natural wells.

A similar place to visit is the ancient ruins of Wat Ek Temple. Wat Ek was built in 1027 in the architecture of the 11th century during the reign of King Sorayak Varman I (1002-1050). It is located at Piem Ek commune 14 km from Battambang.

The most attractive site in the province, and the subject of songs of famous Khmer singers, is Sek Sak, a destination popular since before the civil war. Sek Sak stretches 500 meters along the river bank and is full of enjoyable natural elements such as plants, trees, and bamboo. Also there, visitors can visit other historical sites. The location is in Treng commune in the Rotanak Mondul District, 50 km from Battambang along National Road 57 (formerly National Road 10).