Battambang is the second largest city lies in the heart of the Northwest of Cambodia and until the war years was the leading rice-producing province of the country. Thailand took over Battambang in 1795, and so Battambang was under Thai domination for over a century. That is slightly longer than the 99 years of independence from 1907 to present. So Battambang has belonged to Thailand for the major part of the last two centuries.
Battambang returned to the French in 1907 was not the compact and well designed city of today but rather, in the words of the architect Helen Grant Ross, an agglomeration "stretching along the Sangker River, from the area that now is Battambang to the Tonle Sap, with a population of about 100,000 people."
Included in its natural richness is also cultural richness; Battambang has many ancient temples, which dated back to between 10th – 13th centuries. They are worth a visit and proved an interesting cultural excursion.
Barseat Temple
Located on a hill at Ba Set village, Ta Pun commune in 15-kilometre distance from the provincial town. The temple was built during the reign of King, Soriyak Varman I (1002-1050). Ba Set temple adapts the architecture of 11th century and built in 1036 and 1042.
Wat Ek Temple
It is located at Piem Ek commune in 14-kilometre (9 mi) from the provincial town. It adapts the architecture of 11th century and built in 1027 during the reign of King, Sorayak Varman I (1002-1050).
Ba Nan Temple
The temple is located on the top of approximate 400-metre heighten mountain at Koh Tey 2 commune, Ba Nan District in 15-kilometre distance from the provincial town by the provincial Road No 155 parallel to Sang Ke River. Its 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). At the mountain’s valley, there are Ku Teuk and two main natural well, namely: Bit Meas and Chhung or Chhung Achey.
Prasat Snung
Characterizes as three separated stupas made of brick, located on a hill having 30 meter length and 20 meter width, in Snung pagoda’s area, Snung commune, Ba Nan District in 22 kilometer 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.
Phnom Sam Puov Resort
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 meter height) in 12 kilometer 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. It was used as Killing Site during Pol Pol Regime.