BATTAMBANG

Battambang province lies in the far western region of Cambodia; it’s bounded to the west by Thailand, the south by the Cardamom mountains, the east by Tonle Sap Lake and Pursat, and to the north by Banteay Meanchey Province. With a rich architectural heritage, an increasingly confident art scene providing a cradle for many of Cambodia’s top talents, and stunning surrounding countryside, Battambang is a tranquil respite from the boom and hustle of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

The streets of charming old French shops and houses clustered along the riverbank are the real highlight here, and there are also a number of Wats scattered throughout the town. The small museum has a collection of Angkorian-era artifacts and beyond the town there are a number of Angkor-era temples such as the superb Prasat Banon with its 358 steps. Travel here is an absolute pleasure, exploring such a majestic temple but without the crowds of Siem Reap.

Climate: Battambang has a tropical climate. In winter, there is much less rainfall than in summer. The average annual temperature is 27.5 °C in Battambang.

Best time to visit: You can visit Battambang any time of the year, but it’s best to wait for the November-March dry season. The weather is cooler and more pleasant, and your travel won’t be bogged down by sudden flooding on unpaved roads.

Getting here: There is a daily ferry that departs Siem Reap at 7:30am. It's a picturesque, 6-8 hour journey across the Tonle Sap and up the Sangker River in the wet season, but can be considerably longer in the dry season due to low water levels. Overland from Siem Reap via Sisophon takes 3-4 hours. Much of the stretch between Siem Reap and Sisophon is in poor condition. The road from Sisophon to Battambang is in good condition. Overland from Phnom Penh to Battambang is 291km (4 hours) on a paved road in good condition.