1. Top things to do in Battambang

Explore the city

Battambang boasts Cambodia's most extensive array of colonial-era structures and historic architectural treasures, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts. To make the most of your visit, Khmer Architecture Tours provides a convenient downloadable map for self-guided exploration. For a more immersive experience, consider joining the Free Cycle Tours led by enthusiastic Cambodian students, offering complimentary walking tours throughout Battambang. Plus, don't worry about exhaustion – Battambang's compact layout ensures that exploring the city on foot requires minimal effort.

Kayak through Villages and Countryside

The riverside area of Battambang is a unique habitat where many locals call home. However, these dwellings stand out in comparison to the typical houses you might have encountered elsewhere. Essentially, it's a neighborhood built on water, with houses perched on stilts above the river, serving as platforms for fishing, swimming, and laundry activities. As you embark on this aquatic adventure, your journey will take you downstream into the serene countryside. Here, you'll navigate your kayak through lush rice fields, where diligent farmers are hard at work, and dense rainforests that offer a refreshing, cool breeze.

To make the most of this experience, you can rent your kayaks through Green Orange Kayaks, an NGO school dedicated to funding local children's education with the proceeds. Your rental package includes reliable kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and the company of a friendly English-speaking guide to enhance your exploration.

Ride the Bamboo Train

While Cambodia did have the best intentions of having a fully functioning railway system, they just couldn’t seem to make it happen. The slow trains lacked efficiency and speed, therefore leading to the suspension of all train services in 2009, leaving the tracks totally abandoned. Yet, if there's one characteristic you should know about the resourceful Khmer people, it's their remarkable innovation. Thus, it comes as no surprise that they seized the opportunity presented by these abandoned tracks to craft their own unique mode of transportation. They ingeniously constructed bamboo trains resembling small boats, perfectly sized for accommodating a small family. These makeshift "trains" are operated manually using a lever and must be disassembled from the tracks whenever two of them cross paths. It's a truly remarkable adaptation worth witnessing firsthand.

Go to Battambang Circus

Show your support for budding student artists by becoming part of the audience at Phare Ponleu Selpak, Battambang's dynamic circus performance. Unlike some circuses that have garnered negative attention for their exploitation of people and animals, Phare Ponleu Selpak stands in stark contrast. In fact, this circus is operated by a Cambodian NGO dedicated to uplifting street children and young individuals from challenging backgrounds. It offers them a valuable opportunity to explore various art forms as a means of self-expression and livelihood creation. Your attendance helps empower these talented youth on their artistic journey.

Experience the Battambang Bat Caves at Sunset

As the sun gracefully dips below the horizon, prepare to be mesmerized by the sight of thousands of bats taking flight into the night sky! Just 12 km (7 miles) from the city center, the Bat Caves offer a truly unforgettable way to conclude a day of exploration. Upon arrival, you'll find a handful of cafes nestled downhill from the cave. Find a comfortable spot, order a drink, and get ready to witness the spectacular bat extravaganza at sunset!

Volunteer at a Cambodia Orphanage

One of the best experiences we’ve ever had while traveling was dedicating a morning to volunteer at an orphanage in Battambang. Operated by a compassionate gentleman and his family, BOVA (Battambang Orphanage Village Assistance) serves as a school where Cambodian children are taught the English language.

2. Battambang Weather

Battambang experiences two distinct seasons in terms of weather: the dry season and the wet season. The dry season, characterized by its warm and arid conditions, stands out as the ideal time to explore the city. Specifically, January emerges as the prime month to visit Battambang. During this time, temperatures tend to be quite high, as is common in tropical climates, with a notable level of humidity. The city's average temperature remains relatively stable throughout the year, with minimal rainfall. The hottest months in Battambang typically fall in April, March, and May, where the average annual temperature typically hovers between 22 and 27.5°C.

3. Transportation:

3.2. How to get there?

Although Battambang has a small domestic airport, it’s been closed for business for the last 10+ years and doesn’t host any commercial airlines. As of 2017, the only ways to get to Battambang are by bus, private car or boat. Bus from Phnom Penh to Battambang take about five hours to reach the city while it takes around three hours from Siem Reap. Between Battambang and Siem Reap, daily boats conduct the picturesque trek across the Tonle Sap and up the Sangke river, departing at 7:00 a.m. from each port. Traveling by boat provides a unique perspective of Cambodia, as the journey passes through farms, fishing villages, and small towns.

3.2. Ways to get around the city:

Visitors should take jeeps, boats, or motorbikes to truly appreciate the vibe of Battambang, which provide a view of the serene scenery of this old city. Furthermore, Battambang is known for its home-made taxis. Visitors sit on the back of an improved motorcycle with a recliner and may easily see little villages, meandering canals, or huge gardens along the wayside. Travelers who visit Battambang should not miss the opportunity to ride a bamboo boat, which is a novel and interesting means of transportation for Cambodians. The “norry” bamboo boats have timber frames, bamboo floors, and a rudimentary motor with wheels.