Battambang, Cambodia Travel Guide
 Central Market, Battambang, Cambodia Author: Trendy64 (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Battambang is the second largest city in Cambodia after Phnom Penh. It is located to the west of the Tonle Sap. The city of 130,000 people has a history going back to the 11th century. There are a number of temples and ruins in Battambang dating back to the Angkorian period.
Guide to Battambang Hotels
It's never easy finding the hotel that's just right for your stay. Still, by taking a little time to do your research, you increase your chance of getting a good hotel at the best price. Go through the list of hotels in Battambang which we've put together, with full description, star rating, address, location map and evaluation. Pick the hotel of your choice and view the rates offered by different booking sites. Yes, we show you prices from different websites, so you don't have to visit them one by one.
More on Battambang
For about 500 year Battambang was a city on the eastern province of Siam. It was only returned to Cambodia in 1907. The name Battambang means "lost staff". According to history - or legend - King Kranhoung threw his staff and it landed at Battambang. Within the town centre is a ten-meter statue of King Kranhoung holding his staff.
 Statue of King Kron Nhong with his staff, Battambang Author: Chliew-chlaat (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)
Arriving in Battambang
You can catch buses from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh for Battambang. Alternatively, there are also boats to Battambang from Siem Reap. The boat journey is recommendable for the scenic views of rural Cambodia along the way.
Getting Around Battambang
As with Siem Reap, you can easily hire a tuk tuk for rides anywhere in the city. A ride costs around US$1 to US$2. If you find a good tuk tuk driver, negotiate to hire him for the whole day and ask him to be your guide.
 Local boys, Battambang Author: Charles Fred (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)
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Places of Interest in Battambang
- Phnom Sampeu
A hill with caves where the Khmer Rouge conducted their killings. There are also caves with Buddha statues and a monastery.
- Prasat Snung
12th century Khmer temple comprising three brick stupas.
- Wat Banan
Angkorian temple now used as a Buddhist shrine. Entry fee is US$2 that covers also Phnom Sampeu.
- Wat Baydamram
Temple with hundreds of fruit bats.
- Wat Ek Phnom
Another Angkorian temple about 15 km to the northwest of Battambang with some interesting carvings.
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