Day trip from Siem Reap, Siem Reap
Battambang - Colonial City, Bamboo Train & Bat Cave
Battambang is Cambodia's second-largest city and its most charming, with a well-preserved French colonial city center, excellent food scene, thriving arts community, and some of Cambodia's most interesting attractions. The famous bamboo train (nori) - a bamboo platform on railway axles that hurtles along the tracks at alarming speed - is a unique Cambodia experience. The Phnom Sampeau bat cave sees 2-3 million bats emerge at sunset in a spectacular river of black wings. Also worth visiting: Phare Ponleu Selpak's Battambang circus school.
How to get there
- Private car ($60-80 return)
- Bus ($10-15 return - slower)
- Boat (seasonal, $15-20 one way - not suitable for day trip due to time)
Highlights
- Bamboo train (nori) - unique Cambodia experience
- 2-3 million bats emerging at sunset from Phnom Sampeau caves
- French colonial architecture along the riverside
- Thriving local art and restaurant scene
- Phare Ponleu Selpak art school (the original Phare circus)
- Killing cave at Phnom Sampeau (sobering Khmer Rouge history)
Tips
- Leave Siem Reap by 7 AM for a comfortable day trip
- The boat from Siem Reap via Tonle Sap is scenic but very slow (4-8 hours, seasonal Oct-May)
- Time your visit to Phnom Sampeau for 1 hour before sunset for the bat emergence
- The bamboo train is touristy but genuinely fun - pay the fixed $5 per person fare
- Battambang has excellent restaurants along the riverside - budget for a good lunch