Northwest Cambodia includes three provinces along border with Thailand. Battambang province used to be a very dangerous, heavily mined Khmer Rouge stronghold. On the Thai border is Pailin, a Khmer Rouge operated gem mining and logging center. Sales to Thailand of resources pulled from this area finance Khmer Rouge military activity.

About 70 km north of Battamang is Bonteay Meanchay and Oddar Meanchey at upper where you could visit the temple of Banteay Chhmar, built by Jayavarman VII as a memorial to his sun and four generals killed in the war against Cham invaders in 1177. The story of the battle is engrave on the stone walls surrounding Banteay Chhmar, in a style similar to that of Angkor’s Bayon temple. The forest-covered temple is in a remote zone control by Khmer Rouge and bandits. Statuary has evidently been looted by military groups and transported to Thailand.

About BATTAMBANG

Situated about 292km from Phnom Penh Battambang is Cambodia’s second largest city an elegant riverside town, with a population of perhaps 80,000. Quiet and serene, it was founded on the bank of the Stung Sangker river in the 11^th century. It is home to interesting

historical sited like Wat Ek Phnom, a temple built by Suryarvanam I (1002-1050) in the 11^th Century, Wat Toul Baset which dates back to 7^th century and Wat Poveal Museums which displays Khmer arts. And also home of the best-preserved colonial architecture in the country and some of the most hospitable Khmers you expect to meet.

Due to its position near the Thai border the town has profited from large-scale black market trading. Fishing is secondary. There are three flights a week from Phnom Penh. You can ride the train from Phnom Penh to Battambang and some time even further up to Sisophon. If the track is blown up, the train runs only as far as Pursat. It can get pretty hot in summer. The train leaves from Phnom Penh at 6.30 every few days and arrives at Battambang at sunset.

BARSAET TEMPLE

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-kilometer 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-meter length 12-meter width and 10-meter depth. The pond is never dried, though in the dry season. In rainy season, the water level is higher than usual.

WAT EK TEMPLE

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-kilometer distance from the provincial town.

BA NAN TEMPLE

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 then was finally built by the king, Jarvarman VII (1181-1219). The temple is located on the top of approximate 400-meter heighten mountain at Kon Tey 2 commune, Ba Nan District in 25-kilometer 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 wells, namely: Bit Meas and Chhung or Chhung Achey.

PRA SAT 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 provincail 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.

RESORTS

Phnom sam Puoy

Is the natural resort located along the National Road No 57 (the former National Road No 10) at Sam Puoy commune (the high land having more than 100-meter height) in 12-kilometer distance from the provincial town of Batambang.

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 sites 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 Run Say Sork.

Boeng Kam Pinh Puoy

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-kilometer distance from the provincial town. Boeng Kam Pinh Puoy has 1,900-meter width, 19-kilometer length and can load 110,000,000-cubic meter water.

Sek Sak

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-meter 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 to six-kilometer distance from each other. Sek Sak located Treng commune, Rotanak Mondul District in 50-kilometer distance from the provincial town of Batambang along the National Road No 57, the former National Road No 10.

OTHER INTERESTING PLACES

Prasat Sneng

Classification: Historical Sites and Buildings

Location: Sneng Village, Sneng Commune, Banan District.

Accessibility: 22 km (1h:30mn) From Provincial Town

Phnom Kdoung

Classification: Nature wildlife and Preserves

Location: Kdong Village, Phnom Sampov Commune. Banann District

Accessibility: 14 km (1h) From Provincial Town

Pich Chenda

Classification: Nature wildlife and Preserves

Location: Treng Commune, Rattanakmundul District

Accessibility : 44 km (2h) From Provincial Town

Dang Tung

Classification: Nature wildlife and Preserves

Location: Danng Tung Village, Phlov Meas Commune, Rattanakmundul District

Accessibility: 54 KM (3H:20mn) From Provincial Town

Phnom Trong Morn Trong Tea

Classification: Nature wildlife and Preserves

Location: Samnagn Village, Phnom Sampov Commune, Banann District

Accessibility : 15 KM (40mn) From Provincial Town

Banteay Sat

Classification: Historical Sites and Buildings

Location: Koh Village, Kaoh Chiveang Commune, Aek Phnom District

Accessibility: 105 km (2h) From Provincial Town

About PAILIN

This small town near the Border with Thailand, with i8ts gem, precious stones and timber resources, was long the economic crutch that kept the Khmer rouge hobbling along. There is little of interest to the tourist here, unless you know a bit about gemstones.

PHNOM YAT RESORT

Is the cultural and historical site having ancient pagoda built as Ko La pagoda’s style. Phnom Yat locates at Pailin City and can be reached by the Road No 10. Phnom Yat, the site worshipped by the local people and the passersby who have very strong abstract believe. It also has most precious stone among other sites in Pailin City.

PHNOM KEUY RESORT

Is the natural resort having beautiful scenery of natural forest and river, and locates at Sangkat Steung Kach, Khan Saha Krau in 20-Kilometer distance from the Pailin town.

OU EB RESORT

Is the natural and ancient resort having waterfall and many big trees. It locates at Sangkat Ou Chras, Khan Pailin in 10-Kilometer distance from Pailin town by the road to Bo Ya Kha and Bo Tang Sou.

KBAL AUTAVAO RESORT

Is the natural resort full of beautiful scenery with clear-water canal, and locates at Sangkat Ou Tavao, Khan Pailin in five-Kilometer distance from Pailin town.

OTHER INTERESTING PLACES

Kbal O Chra

Classification Nature & Wildlife Preserves

Location Ouchra Leu Village, Tuol Lwea Commune, Khan Pailin

Accessibility 5 km (15mn) From Provincial Town

Steng Kuy

Classification Nature & Wildlife Preserves

Location Phnom Kuy Village, Sangkat Sala Krau, Sala Krau District

Accessibility 20 km (1h) From Provincial Town

To arrange sanitation by putting dustbins to the area in order to avoid throwing litter everywhere from tourists.
To arrange order for sellers and to set up a proper pricing policy for them.
To assure security for tourists.