Hotels in Battambang

Battambang: Colonial Streetscapes and Cambodian Circus Arts

Battambang, Cambodia's second-largest city, sits on the Sangker River in the northwest of the country, roughly 290 km from Phnom Penh and 170 km from Siem Reap. French colonial-era shophouses line Street 1.5 along the riverfront, built in the early 20th century when Battambang was the rice capital of Indochina. The city retains more intact French architecture than any other Cambodian urban center outside Phnom Penh. Beyond the facades, Phare Ponleu Selpak — a performing arts school founded in 1994 — stages weekly circus performances that draw travelers specifically to the city.

Where to Stay and Getting Around

Most hotels concentrate near the riverfront and around Psar Nath (Central Market), a 1930s Art Deco structure. The bamboo train (norry), relaunched on a short track outside town, remains one of the region's most photographed rides. Day trips reach Wat Banan, a hilltop temple with 358 steps, and the bat cave at Phnom Sampeau, where hundreds of thousands of bats exit at dusk.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Buses from Siem Reap take roughly 3 hours; from Phnom Penh, 5–6 hours.
• Best time to visit: November to February for dry, cooler weather.
• Local transport: Tuk-tuks and rented bicycles cover most sights within 15 km of the center.
• Currency: Cambodian Riel and US dollars both accepted widely.