The
Kingdoms
Rice-bowl
Battambang is well known for it’s main tourist attractions such as the bamboo train, Wat Banan and Phnom Sampov with it’s spectacular bat display. However, the city has a more to offer for us photographers, from local cottage industries, wonderful French Chinese architecture to the many buddhist monasteries along the Sangker river. A great place to immerse your creative eye.
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Architecture
At the time of writing, Battambang old quarters still holds some colonial charm. It has a traditional grid street format introduced by the french. In recent years the city has expanded, with the odd high rise, not the mass development found in other Cambodian cities. Central Battambang has a Khmer feel. Points of interest are mostly in the old quarters, including Psar Nath (central market) a Chinese pagoda, an old cinema, Wat Damrey and Wat Pipetharam. This Architecture street walk guide gives a brief insight into Battambang’s Architectural history.
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Cottage Industries
Out of town, most famous are the hand made rice paper makers. These are the rice papers used for spring rolls and can be found drying outside residences along the waterway towards Ek Phnom temple. Other things to look out for are sticky rice, banana crisps and rice wine.
A girl carrying rice papers out to dry. They start work at 4am!
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Street Photography
Around old quarters is an ideal place for some street photography with the colonial architecture providing an ideal backdrop for your chosen subject.
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Monks and Monasteries
Wether you hang around in Battambang town or visit the pagodas along the river, Buddhist monks are in abundance. Catch them in the morning on their daily almsgiving.
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Wat Sampov.
Located 15km south west of Battambang, this iconic hilltop pagoda has great panoramic views, well worth a visit. Khmer rouge era killing caves are also located here, a grim reminder of Cambodias history. Battambang’s highlight is certainly the bats on their out-flight at dusk. An estimated 7 million bats leave their nest and go hunting , one of the most spectacular nature sight. It’s worth the trip to Battambang for this alone!
Battambang’s charm and the spectacular bats on their out-flight is an attractive add on for your visit to the iconic Angkor temples. It’s a short trip form the hustle and bustle of Siem Reap. The laid back atmosphere makes for an ideal add-on to our multi day photography tours.