A one hundred year old Cambodian house built in the traditional Khmer style in Wat Kor Village, Battambang, Cambodia.

© Dale Warren/Shutterstock

Wat Kor Village

Battambang


About 2km south of central Battambang, the village of Wat Kor is centred around the temple of the same name. It's a great place to wander, especially late in the afternoon when the opposite (east) bank of the Sangker River is bathed in amber tones by the sinking sun. Picturesque bridges span the river, the spires of Wat Kor glow bright platinum and Khmer village life is on full display.

About 1.5km beyond Wat Kor, you'll encounter the cluster of Khmer heritage houses that the village is known for. Built of now-rare hardwoods over a century ago and surrounded by orchard gardens, they have wide verandahs and exude the ambience of another era.

Two of the approximately 20 heritage houses in the Wat Kor area are open to visitors: Mrs Bun Roeung's Ancient House and neighbouring Khor Sang House. The owner of each will give you a short tour in French or English. They have floors worn lustrous by a century of bare feet and are decorated with old furniture and family photos.

Mrs Bun Roeung's Ancient House was built in 1920 by a local lawyer. The owners have turned the rear section of the house into homestay accommodation – a unique option for architecture and history fans.

Khor Sang House was built in 1907 by the French-speaking owner’s grandfather, who served as a secretary to the province’s last Thai governor. The rear section dates from 1890.


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Nearby Battambang attractions

1. Wat Kor

0.07 MILES

This temple is the central feature of the village of Wat Kor.

2. Khor Sang House

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Khor Sang House is one of a clutch of surviving traditional Khmer houses in Wat Kor village, with floors worn lustrous by a century of bare feet…

3. Mrs Bun Roeung's Ancient House

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Built of now-rare hardwoods almost a century ago and surrounded by an orchard garden, Mrs Bun Roeung's Ancient House has a wide verandah and exudes the…

4. Wat Kampheng

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Built in the early 19th century, Wat Kampheng was moved lock, stock and barrel to its present location in the 1920s. Most of the original has since been…

5. Governor's Residence

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The two-storey Governor's Residence, with its balconies and wooden shutters, is a handsome legacy of the early 1900s. The interior is now open to the…

6. Wat Sangker

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This substantial wat sits along the east bank of the Sangker River.

7. Battambang Museum

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This petite provincial museum has been given a full makeover thanks to the generous support of Friends of Khmer Culture (FOKC; www.khmerculture.net) and…

8. Wat Damrey Sar

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A good example of the fusing of Thai Buddhist and Cambodian Buddhist wat architecture during the Thai occupation, Wat Damrey Sar (built in 1904) features…