Battambang (also called Bat Dambong, which means the disappearing stick) is the second largest city in Cambodia with a rich colonial history. It had more than 500,000 inhabitants in 1962.
Because of its proximity with Thailand, Battambang had a tumultuous history. It was annexed by Thailand in 1795 until it was transferred to French Indochina in 1907. But it was not always peaceful — it was in the middle of the French-Thai war in 1940–1941, and Thailand finally ceded it back in 1946.
Because of the quality of its soil, Battambang province is the rice bowl of Cambodia. The city center counts about 800 colonial buildings spread around the central market called Psa Nat or Psah Nath, west of the Sangkar River. It was built by the same French architects who designed the central markets in Phnom Penh and Saigon, following the Art Deco style. Some old pagodas show Thai influence. There are many shophouses along streets number 1 and 1.5, although many are now defaced because of shops. There is even a 150-year-old Chinese temple still active today.
A photowalk in Battambang city center will give you plenty of photo opportunities if you like architecture and street photography. The back alleys and the yellow walls will remind you a bit of Hoi An or the Cholon district of Saigon.
Architecture
Back Alleys
Background & Patterns
People
