Battambang

Battambang is the capital of Battambang Province and the second-largest city in Cambodia. It was created in the 11th century. It is the historic capital of Monton Kmer and is located in the heart of Cambodia's Northwest. Until the war years, when practically all infrastructure was destroyed, it was the country's leading rice-producing province.

The name Battambang or Batdambang literally means "loss of stick," and refers to a tale about the Preah Bat Dambang Kranhoung (Kranhoung Stick King). The current population is roughly 250,000 people. It's a riverbank village with some of the country's best-preserved French colonial buildings.

These days, Battambang is a calm and attractive city. The city's major areas are located beside the Sangker River, a calm, little body of water that weaves its way through Battambang Province. It's a lovely, scenic place. The French architecture, like most of Cambodia, is an appealing feature of the city.

The town has many Angkor-style temples and Buddhist shrines. It is simple to move around on foot or by bicycle. Most public sites include statues, primarily of animals and gods, the most renowned of which is an old Khmer ruler on the way to Phnom Penh. The Central Market is also worth a look.