Roam Cambodia Overview
Cambodia's second-largest city sees far fewer tourists than Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, which is part of the appeal. Battambang has some of the best-preserved French colonial architecture in the country, a genuine contemporary art scene anchored by Phare Ponleu Selpak (a circus and arts school), and countryside temples on hilltops just outside town.
Top Highlights
- The Bamboo Train ("norry"), a makeshift bamboo-platform railcar ride through the countryside
- Phare Ponleu Selpak circus performances
- Phnom Sampov: hilltop temple, killing caves memorial, and a dusk bat cave exodus
- Walking the French colonial riverside district
- Countryside day trips to rural villages and rice paddies
How to Get There
Most visitors arrive from Siem Reap. The road route takes longer than flying but passes through genuine countryside.
- Bus from Siem Reap: ~$5–8, ~2.5–3 hrs
- Private taxi from Siem Reap: ~$45–60
- Bus from Phnom Penh: ~$8–12, ~5 hrs
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