Battambang, Cambodia's second-largest city, offers an authentic experience focused on local culture, historical sites, and the tranquil countryside. Visitors often explore French colonial architecture, ancient temples, and rural life activities, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a less crowded, relaxed pace.
The riverside area provides a pleasant space to unwind and connect with other travelers. Battambang's night markets offer a lively atmosphere for dining and browsing. Hostels such as Social Backpacker Hostel, THE PLACE Hostel, and Blue Diamond Hostel are known for their communal areas, organizing tours, and fostering a social environment for backpackers and solo travelers.
Top 6 Things to do in Battambang
Battambang offers diverse activities, from engaging with local life and history to exploring the tranquil countryside and unique cultural performances.
1. Ride the Bamboo Train (Norry)
Experience the unique sensation of gliding through the Cambodian countryside on a 'norry', a motorized bamboo platform on railway tracks. This approximately 20-minute ride each way offers charming views of rice fields and local life, providing a glimpse into an improvised mode of transport that once served the community. It is a wonderfully fun and exhilarating experience, truly unlike any other.
Cost: Approximately $5 USD per person for a return journey.
Transport: The original Bamboo Train site is about 45-60 minutes' walk from the main city. A tuk-tuk ride is convenient and costs a few dollars.
2. Explore Phnom Sampeau (Killing Caves & Bat Cave)
Climb Phnom Sampeau, a mountain offering both a somber historical insight and a spectacular natural show. At the summit, explore temples and viewpoints, and reflect at the Killing Caves, a memorial to the Khmer Rouge era. As dusk approaches, position yourself at the base of the mountain to witness millions of bats emerge from the Bat Cave, creating a captivating stream across the sky for about 45 minutes.
Cost: Entrance to Phnom Sampeau, including the caves, is around $3 USD. A tuk-tuk tour combining this with other sites often costs between $12-$17 USD or more depending on the tour.
Transport: Located about 11-12 km southwest of Battambang. Most visitors hire a tuk-tuk for a half-day or full-day tour that includes this site. You can hike up the mountain or take a moto-ride for a fee.
3. Discover Colonial Architecture and City Highlights
Wander through Battambang's city center to admire its well-preserved French colonial architecture, blended with traditional Khmer and Chinese styles. Key landmarks include the Governor's Residence, the Central Market (Phsar Nath) with its Art Deco design, the Old Railway Station, and various shophouses along the Sangkae River. A walking tour allows for a deeper appreciation of the city's rich history and vibrant urban life.
Cost: Exploring independently is free. Guided walking tours are available, with prices varying but often starting around $15-$30 USD.
Transport: Most of the colonial buildings and city highlights are within walking distance of the city center.
4. Join a Cambodian Cooking Class
Immerse yourself in Khmer culinary traditions by taking a hands-on cooking class. These classes often begin with a visit to a local market to select fresh ingredients, followed by preparing several traditional dishes like fish amok or banana flower salad. It offers an intimate insight into local ingredients and cooking techniques, allowing you to recreate authentic Cambodian flavors at home.
Cost: Classes typically range from $15-$25 USD per person, often including market tour, ingredients, and hotel pickup.
Transport: Many cooking schools offer hotel pickup, or they are a short tuk-tuk ride from the city center. Some are located in the countryside.
5. Cycle Through the Countryside
Embark on a cycling tour through the idyllic countryside surrounding Battambang. This allows you to witness daily rural life, explore rice fields, visit small villages, and see local cottage industries such as rice paper making or traditional sweet sellers. It provides a peaceful and authentic experience of Cambodian rural life away from the urban bustle.
Cost: Bicycle rentals are available. Guided tours with a social enterprise like Soksabike typically cost around $30-$50 USD for a half-day or full-day tour, often including bike, helmet, guide, water, and lunch.
Transport: Tours often start from a central office, and bicycles are provided. The activity itself involves cycling through rural areas.
6. Attend a Performance at Phare Ponleu Selpak
Experience the vibrant and inspiring performances at Phare Ponleu Selpak, a non-profit arts school. The circus shows feature physical theatre, acrobatics, and traditional dance performed by talented Cambodian youth, often conveying powerful stories about their culture and history. Your attendance directly supports their free arts education programs.
Cost: Adult foreigner tickets are $16 USD, and child foreigner tickets (ages 5-11) are $9 USD.
Transport: Phare Ponleu Selpak is located outside the immediate city center but easily accessible by tuk-tuk. Shows are typically held on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
At TFA Travel we believe in travel for all. Our mission is to enable people to explore the world as easily as possible without having to pay a travel agent a huge commission.
Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
