Explore Battambang
Battambang is a city on the Sangkae River in northwestern Cambodia. It’s known for colonial buildings such as Sala Khaet, the former Governor’s Residence. Battambang Provincial Museum has artifacts from local Khmer temples. Nearby, Phare Ponleu Selpak is a circus and performing arts school for underprivileged children. North of the center are the ruins of Ek Phnom, an 11th-century pagoda with sandstone carvings.
In 1907, Battambang province was ceded to France to be reunited with Cambodia as part of French Indochina. Under the French, an urban layout was developed, which resulted in an enlarged French colonial town. This first attempt at modernization led to well-defined streets laid in a grid pattern and a series of open canals and bridges, in the locality now known as the Heritage Conservation Area. Both riverbanks were linked by the construction of two bridges in 1917. In 1926, a second phase of urban development was implemented, focusing on the west of Battambang, with a newly constructed railway linking the city to Phnom Penh. Residential villas, the central market, and state buildings were also constructed.
Battambang is home to a number of Buddhist pagodas. In 2022, 31 of these received heritage status, all of them being over 60 years old, and they have been promoted for domestic religious tourism. Thai architecture and the Rattanakosin style are visible on the pagodas and stupas built during Siamese rule. Pagodas built later display an architectural style unique to Battambang.Wat Damrei Sar, built in the 19th century, is the oldest pagoda in the city.
