With notable French architecture sitting beside the lovely Sangkae River in the highest rice producing region in Cambodia, Battambang has been an escape from the overcrowding of Siem Reap over the past years and recently has prepared a Unesco World Heritage Site application in 2017.
Well known to travelers for some time for its unique Bat Caves and the killing caves at Phnom Sampov, the uncrowded, Angkor era Wat Banan, a lovely and quaint downtown, the Bamboo Train, the Phare Circus, rustic prahok factory and its burgeoning local art scene with their easily accessible workshops and locally made products, Battambang is a great town to get away from the crowds of Siem Reap as well as the busyness in Phnom Penh’s race to modernization.
Kouprey Adventures hosts a fantastic rural life exploration where we learn and try our hand at local production of rice wine, mushrooms, rice farming and much more topped off with a fantastic lunch outside of town in a traditional home, we recommend going by bicycle for the fresh air and a truly local experience. For those interested in cultural aspects of the country we made connections with celebrated Khmer artists and local handicraft producers where we go behind the scenes to learn how these traditional arts have been revived after the Khmer Rouge era as well as the inspiration for the modern pieces. For something extra-ordinary I’d recommend a tour of Battambang’s best sites with an expert photographer, taking amazing landscape shots in the temple and countryside then a private art tour and lastly learn how to shoot the best Instagram styled cocktails and cuisine shots over dinner with a wonderful local chef.
A great cup of coffee whether an Italian pour or a simple cup of Joe can be found at Kinyei Cafe, a part of the community project supporting local sustainable development. This cafe is a small center for international guests in a local part of town that often has home favorites like granola and yogurt with fresh local fruits.
For meals I like to pop into Jaan Bai, a tastefully decorated Khmer fusion restaurant who’s profits go towards education and development with a focus on Cambodian youth. Great cocktails, interesting dishes, and a convenient location make this a popular restaurant for visiting travellers. For a more authentic meal away from other visitors we usually have lunch with a wonderful local family whom we have worked with throughout the years, let us know for more details.
Although there are several great accommodation options, recently my go to hotel is Bambu Hotel, enjoying a refreshing beer by the pool and trying some of the sumptuous comfort food after a day exploring the surrounding communities by bicycle or working on CBT projects is always wonderful, as well as starting your day enjoying a french press coffee outside your room. Located just outside the city center with clean,spacious and reasonably priced rooms decorated with local touches the property is not international standard but very charming in this still unmodernized city.
Fun fact the song “Champa Battambang” written by the “King of Khmer Music”, Sinn Sisamouth based upon the yearning for home and hearth in Battambang.
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