Why Battambang should be on your Cambodia itinerary

Battambang, with its French and Thai influences, provides a taste of provincial Cambodia. ▶︎ More Cambodia videos:    • CAMBODIA   Most people who visit Cambodia don’t venture past Siem Reap and the nearby ancient Khmer ruins at Anghor other than maybe to explore the capital Phnom Penh. And that’s a shame, especially when it comes to the city and province of Battambang in northwest Cambodia along its border with Thailand. Battambang was the provincial capital of Siamese "Inner Cambodia" during the 18th and 19th centuries and continued as a provincial center after being “returned” to Cambodia in 1907 as part of the former French Indochina. As the video shows, this fascinating city of 150,000 people in the heart of Cambodia’s “rice bowl” (founded a thousand years ago on the banks of the Sangkae River) is laced with Thai and French influences. Chapters: 00:00 Why visit Battambang 02:41 Where I’m Staying 03:37 Battambang’s French Connection 04:57 Battambang’s Landmark Central Market 07:07 Battambang Backgrounder 08:32 Iconic White Elephant Temple 10:55 Sangkae River Stroll More about the video: I’m in the provincial city of #Battambang in the center of Cambodia’s “rice bowl,” where much of the country’s grain, fruit, and vegetables are grown. First settled as a fishing village on the #SangkaeRiver, it remains a place where an unvarnished, authentic sense of #Cambodia shines through. Tourism here is more of a trickle compared to the flood of visitors to Siem Reap and Anghor, making it ideal for travelers seeking quieter, more local experiences. #TravelAsia I arrived from #PhnomPenh on a big, comfortable Giant Ibis bus — a five-hour ride where I ended up being the only passenger from the capital. Just me, the driver, and the steward. It was the most relaxing and unusual bus ride I’ve ever had. For those willing to venture off the beaten path, Battambang offers history and local culture beyond what most visitors ever see. #ExploreCambodia Battambang feels like a Cambodian version of a Midwestern U.S. farm town mixed with a former French colonial provincial capital and with a twist of Thailand. This region was annexed by Siam in 1795, becoming part of the province of Inner Cambodia. Over time, Battambang developed into a major trading post on the Sangkae River. In 1907, it was reunited with Cambodia under French Indochina, adding a distinct French flavor atop the existing Thai influences — a combination that sets the city apart visually and culturally. 🔴 Follow on Instagram:   / outbound_with_ron   🔴 Follow my Facebook Page:   / ronrusselloutbound   🔴 Visit my Website: https://www.outboundwithron.com/ ► Hit the POSTS tab for blog posts containing travel tips, information about places I stay and more. Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. ► If you enjoy this video please hit the subscribe button to help the channel grow. Hitting the like button also will really help. ► Be sure to turn on notifications and hit the bell symbol selecting 'All Notifications' in order to receive updates. ► I love to hear from you. Leave a comment to let me know what you think. ► For channel info and updates: Follow me on Instagram:   / outbound_with_ron   Check out my Website: https://www.outboundwithron.com/ Follow my Facebook page:   / outbound-with-ron-101698562285149   #battambang #cambodia #travel