Sightseeing and things to do in Battambang Cambodia

Battambang Cambodia

Here’s the three things on my Battambang sightseeing list, but at the time of our visit, one was closed, one didn’t host a performance on the nights we were there, and after a three-day temple pass at Siem Reap, we didn’t have the enthusiasm for historical sightseeing.

Instead we used Battambang for some downtime. We napped, we lay by the pool in a neighboring hotel, we wandered around the old town and central market, we went to a cookery class, and sat and people watched at the Pomme Hostel and Bar, and ate the most delicious vegetable Amok.

After the frantic pace of Siem Reap, Battambang was a welcome change of pace. Even though we didn’t do the top three sightseeing items on my list – I loved my time in Cambodia’s second biggest city, and we spent the rest of our Cambodian trip encouraging backpackers to make time for Battambang.

Here's my top three tourist attractions in #Battambang #Cambodia. Find out why I didn't visit any of them. 🙁 Share on X

The NEW Bamboo Train

Banan Temple Wat
Wat Banan

During our Battambang visit, the famous bamboo train was closed to make way for the renovation of the state railway. The new track is now open for business, and is located 500 meters from Wat Banan (temple).

Rails and sleepers from the original bamboo railways have been used for the new four kilometer track, which runs parallel to the Banan Hills, through the scenic countryside.

The original bamboo train was a transport system operating on Cambodia’s rarely used northern rail line, before it became a tourist attraction. There are some detractors that say the new line is too far out of time and lacks the rustic charm of the original, but if you’re heading out to tour the Banan Temple, you could kill two birds with one stone.


Battambang Provincial Museum

This is the main provincial museum located on the west bank of the Sangker river, and it’s open daily except Mondays. This museum is an eclectic mix of Angkor works of art, including sandstone carvings and wooden statues. 60-90 minutes here would be enough to take in the museum exhibits. There isn’t a lot of information about what’s on display, but each exhibit is dated.

  • Opening hours: 8-11am & 2-5pm
  • Location: River Road, Battambang
  • Admission: $1

Phare Ponleu Selpak: Circus

Everyone we spoke to about Battambang recommended we make time for a visit to the Circus – but we didn’t time our visit right to attend this circus as it isn’t hosted every evening. The shows are put on by students from the NGO arts school, which helps disadvantaged children and youngsters escape situations connected with poverty such as begging or trafficking, and helps them to get an education, both in normal public school and in the arts. You can check the Circus Schedule to find out when you can visit.

Guided Tours

Guided tours of our campus let you experience the energy of Phare firsthand, and see circus students learning new tricks, listen to music, or watch the animation film made by their students.

  • Guided tours are held Monday through Friday at these times: 9:00am, 10:00am, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm
  • Tours cost $5 per person

Attend the Circus

    • Circus tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for children.
    • The doors open at 6pm, and the shows start at 7pm. Tickets can be bought at the door, purchased ahead of time at many retailers in town, or to book tickets early, email reservations@phareps.org.

Visit Us


Slow Travel around Battambang – Rent a Bike

We were also planning to hire bikes to explore the city, but it was so hot and humid, we explored on foot, with numerous refreshment breaks along the way. But if you want to explore locally, a bike rental is a budget-friendly alternative to the tuk-tuks.

Free Cycling Tours Battambang
Free Cycling Tours Battambang located on 2.5 street
  • The Bicycle Shop in front of the central market on Street 3 – Bike Rental $2 a day
    Ganesha Guesthouse on Street 2 & 1.5 – Bike Rental $2 a day
  • Sunrise Cafe – Bike Rental $1.50 a day.
  • Today Tours, Street 1.5  – Bike Rental $1 a day. (Scooter Rental – $5 per day)
    E-Bike Explorer on Street 2.5 has new electric bikes for rent at $8 per day
  • Butterfly Cycling Tours, Battambang
Want to know where to rent a bike in #Battembang #Cambodia? Here's a list of local places you can rent for $1 a day. Share on X

Flashpacking through Cambodia ebook cover for Baby Boomers on a Budget
Flashpacking through Cambodia

Flashpacking through Cambodia: For Baby Boomers on a Budget is my latest Roving Jay travel guide full of travel tips, advice, and sample itineraries for flash packers who want the back packing experience without foregoing some of life’s creature comforts – like a comfortable bed, a hot shower, free wi-fi, and somewhere to plug your electric toothbrush in.

I spent almost three months backpacking around Cambodia in 2017/2018 to research this travel guide, and I share insights and first hand knowledge of tourist traps and off-the-beaten-path discoveries. We ate street food, drank 50c beers, and travelled by train, bus, minivan and tuktuk to identify the best ways to get from A to B.

If you’d like to receive a free Review Copy ahead of the general public release, please click here.

Here’s my Cambodia posts on this blog:

 


 

Author: Roving Jay

Jay is a project manager who swapped corporate life for a nomadic existence as a travel writer. She works with authors and entrepreneurs to help them achieve their self-publishing goals and reach their target audience through content marketing. Jay has published a series of travel guides, a travel memoir, and nonfiction books about travel writing. She housesits and volunteers around the globe with her husband, a Hollywood set painter, and she’s never more that 10 paces away from a wi-fi connection.

5 thoughts on “Sightseeing and things to do in Battambang Cambodia

  1. I so wanted to visit Battambang when I was in Cambodia, but sadly it didn’t fit into my itinerary anymore. Hence, I took a bus from Sihanoukville straight to Siem Reap. If I ever visit Cambodia again, I certainly put Battambang on my list (again).

    1. It’s a town that’s often missed off the Cambodia travel itinerary .. it’s just a little bit too far out of the way, but after the noise, heat, and crush of people at Siem Reap, it was so nice to enjoy the laid back vibe and quiet of Battambang.

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