Monday, November 29, 2010


Battambang

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City of Battambang
ក្រុងបាត់ដំបង
—  City  —

Kranhoung Stick King

City of Battambang is located in Cambodia

City of Battambang
Location of Battambang ខេត្តបាត់តំបង,    Cambodia ប្រទេសកម្ពុជា
Coordinates: 13°06′N 103°12′E / 13.1°N 103.2°E / 13.1; 103.2
Country  Cambodia
Province Battambang ខេត្តបាត់តំបង
Settled 11th Century
Official 1907
Government
 - Type City Municipality
Population (2009)
 - Total 250,000
[1]
Time zone Cambodia (UTC+7)
Website City of Battambang
Battambang city (Khmer: ក្រុងបាត់ដំបង) is the capital city of Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia.
Battambang is the second-largest city in Cambodia with a population of over 250,000. Founded in the 11th century by the Khmer Empire, Battambang is well known for being the leading rice-producing province of the country. For over 500 years, it was the main commercial hub of Siam's Eastern Provinces, though it was always populated by a mix of ethnic Thai, Lao, Chinese and Cambodians. Still today Battambang is the main hub of the Northwest connecting the entire region with Phnom Penh and Thailand, and as such it’s a vital link to Cambodia.
The city is situated by the Sangker River, a tranquil, small body of water that winds its way through Battambang Province providing its nice picturesque setting. As with much of Cambodia, the French Colonial architecture is an attractive bonus of the city. It is home to some of the best-preserved, French colonial architecture in the country.

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[edit] History


Wat Peapahd Temple in Battambang
Ramayana depicted on carvings from the 11th century
From 1795 to 1907 the province was associated with the Siamese, under control of the Chavfea Baen family, which ruled for six generations. During that time Battambang was a small town with about 2500 residents. They lived mostly along a single road parallel to the river was disorderly.
The whole province was returned to Cambodia in 1907. Following from five times urban development of French colonial administration yielded the urban layout of Battambang enlarged the size of the French colonial town. In the first time development, they designed a grid pattern of well-defined streets, put in the urban structure and built roads such as Three main streets in town were built parallel to the Sangker River, connected the both side with two bridges in 1917. Military purposes and prison infrasture used erected inside the compound. Then, 19 years later ,a second urban development plan was created with a newly constructed railway linked Battambang to Phnom Penh. The urban structure was extended to the west of the town, featuring some important urban axes orienting on the railway station. Many outstanding buildings like residential villas and significant public buildings were constructed during that period. According to the third urban development plan for Battambang City, large extension areas were planned for the north, the east and for the south of the city. The both aesthetically and technically planned urban layout of that time was courageous and long-term thinking, featured some significant urban axis corresponding to the existing urban layout from the former period. Battambang city became the most developed part of all provincial even whole Cambodia, grew as a modern provincial capital, being the industrial and commercial centre of the region. Several large infrastructures and public facilities were built under the modernization program of the Cambodian government of then-prince Sihanouk. Several provincial departments, the court house and other public administrations were set up on both sides of the river. Textile and garment factories were built by French and Chinese investors, the airport was set running and the railway line was developed to reach Poipet. Numerous schools and a university were built. A sports centre, museum and an exhibition hall were constructed to serve the cultural needs of the growing population.

[edit] Attractions


Buddhist temple in Battambang
Ba Set 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-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 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-kilometre (9 mi) 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 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.
Prasat Snung
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.
Phnom Sam Pov 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-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.
Boeng Kam Pinh Puoy Resort
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 (3.8846×109 cu ft).
Sek Sak Resort
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.

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