A wander among Battambang's classic crumbly colonials, all of which are colored a deep yellowish tan that lights up in the morning and evening light, makes for nice city walking. There are a few Buddhist temples scattered around town, and south of the city is the large statue of a kneeling Ta Dambong, the legendary founder of peace and stability in the region, holding the "Disappearing Stick" for which Battambang gets its name.
The real sights in this area are the rural temples and beautiful countryside. A 1-day trip can get you to all of them, and as much fun are the rural stops in between, a visit to a farmer's field perhaps or to roadside juice stands; you will see real rural Cambodia in all its richness and variety. There are rice paddies in shades of deep green, flocks of kids cycling home from school, old folk pottering about their business, their heads swathed in kramas, their baggy black pants billowing around their legs. A trip to Wat Phnom Sampeou and Wat Banang is a good circuit, beginning at Rte. 10 on the west end of town and then returning along the river. For $5, most motorbike drivers will try to talk you into a trip back on a small metal-and-bamboo, motor-driven platform that sits on top of the train tracks, a common form of transport considering that the train only passes once each day. A visit to Wat Phnom Ek is an additional trip in the other direction.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
