Charming and artistic city on the Sangker River
Morning fog hangs over the river, the first mopeds drive by and in the distance music sounds from a loudspeaker. Battambang awakens. At the morning market people pull up for breakfast, the smell of hot oil and spices hangs between the stalls.
Fresh-coloured colonial buildings, spacious streets with lots of greenery, simmering mopeds and tuktuks define the city's streets. There is nothing to suggest that Battambang has had turbulent times, with the khmer rouge's brutal control of the region. The infamous killing caves are located just outside the city, near Mount Phnom Sampeau. Today, however, Battambang is a peaceful and relaxed provincial town, where life revolves around trade in agricultural products and art – in the broadest sense of the word. A visit to the Phare Ponleu Selpak project will take you to the source of the revival of all the arts in Battambang. Many artists followed in the cheerful and artistic parade. Walk into one of the galleries of Rue 2.5,or visit the circus of Phare Ponleu Selpak.
Out of town, heading to Phnom Sampeau and the Temple Wat Banan, you'll pass endless rice paddies, lotus ponds, and plantations with mango, papaya, jackfruit and groundnuts. In surrounding villages you will learn how different local dishes like prahoc and grolan are prepared. Have you become interested in Cambodian cuisine? In Battambang you can follow a cooking workshop.
Back in town, at the market, the candles are lit. The streets are quieter, shops are closing their doors, but the market never sleeps.
