PAILIN CITY

Battambang is Cambodia’s second largest city. Though it does not have the history or tourist attraction that Phnom Penh does, this place is an excellent place to visit because of its many ancient structures, including some well known ancient statues. It is a four to five hour ride by car or bus from Phnom Penh. The road between the two cities in one of the best in Cambodia, and, aside from a slow moving train, the road is the only way to read Battambang from the capital. River boats go from Angkor Wat to Battambang, but chance of a smooth trip is not that high due to the unpredictability of the river and the poor quality of most of the boats.

    Many tourists stop by to see the statues in Battambang. There are statues of real historical figures, such as kings and generals, as well as deities. These can be seen in an afternoon. It is possible to stop off in Battambang for a few hours on the way from Phnom Penh to Sisophon (on the Thai border). Sisophon a little over an hour from Battambang, making a stop in town to see the statues feasible if traveling by car or motorbike. Buses run regularly, so its possible to get off in Battambang and pick up a later bus. Hotel Chaya is recommended as a good place to stay the night.

    Was built during the reign of King, Soriyak Varman I (1002–1050) and located on a hill at Ba Set village, Ta Pun commune in 15-kilometre (9 mi) distance from the provincial town. Ba Set temple adapts the architecture of 11th century and built in 1036 and 1042. Next to the temple, there is a pond having 20-metre (66 ft) length 12-metre (39 ft) width and 10-metre (33 ft) depth. The pond is never dried, though in the dry season. In rainy season, the water level is higher than usual.

Wat Ek

    Adapts the architecture of 11th century and built in 1027 during the reign of King, Sorayak Varman I (1002–1050). It is located at Piem Ek commune in 14-kilometre (9 mi) from the provincial town.

    Adapts the architecture of mid 11th century and the end of 12th century the temple was first built by King, Ut Tak Yea Tit Tya Varman II (1050–1066) and was built finally built by the king, Jayavarman VII (1181–1220). The temple is located on the top of approximate 400-metre (1,310 ft) heighten mountain at Koh Tey 2 commune, Ba Nan District in 15-kilometre (9 mi) distance from the provincial town by the provincial Road No 155 parallel to Sang Ke River. At the mountain’s valley, there are Ku Teuk and two main natural well, namely: Bit Meas and Chhung or Chhung Achey.

    Characterizes as three separated stupas made of brick, located on a hill having 30-metre (98 ft) length and 20-metre (66 ft) width, in Snung pagoda’s area, Snung commune, Ba Nan District in 22-kilometre (14 mi) distance from the provincial town. According to the style at the gate, the temple is similar to other temples in 12th century. Behind the temple, there is another new constructing temple.

    Is the natural resort located along the National Road No 57 (the former National Road No10) at Sam Puoy commune (the high land having more than 100-metre (330 ft) height) in 12-kilometre (7 mi) distance from the provincial town of Battambang. On the top of Sam Puoy mountain, there are temple and three natural wells, namely Pkar Slar, Lo Khuon and Ak So Pheak. Next to Sam Puoy mountain, there are some main mountains, the natural site like Phnom Trung Moan, Phnom Trung Tea and Phnom Neang Rum Say Sork. These mountains related to the Cambodia folk legend of Reach Kol Neang Rum Say Sork.

    Locates between two mountains, named Phnom Kul or Phnom Ta Nget and Phnom Kam Pinh Puoy, at Ta Nget village, Ta Kriem Commune in 35-kilometre (22 mi) distance from the provincial town. Boeng kam Pinh Puoy has 1,900-metre (6,230 ft) width, 19-kilometre (12 mi) length and can load 110,000,000 cubic metres (3.8846 x 109 cu ft).

    Is the natural resort, which has been popular since before the civil war time. Sek Sak stretches along the river bank full of plant, trees and bamboo-green nature in 500-metre (1,640 ft) length. As long as visiting Sek Sak, tourists can also visit other attractive sites like Po Pus Pich Chen Da Dong Tong and Sa Ang speak, the pre-history site in five kilometer (3.1 mi) to six kilometer (3.75 mi) distance from each other. Sek Sak located Treng commune, Rotanak Mondul District in 50-kilometre (31 mi) distance from the provincial town of Battambang along the National Road No 57, the former National Road No 10.