Colonial Quarter of Battambang

The centre of Battambang has kept the most complete colonial architecture in Cambodia. Two-storey shophouses with wooden shutters, wrought-iron balconies and tiled roofs stretch along the Sangke River and the neighbouring streets. The houses were built by Chinese and French traders in the first half of the twentieth century, and many facades have hardly changed since. Shops, tailors and workshops still work on the ground floors, while the upper ones are given over to living quarters. Early in the morning the streets are almost empty, and the whole old town is easily walked round in an hour.

On the map