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.

The NEW Bamboo Train

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.

• Tickets are $5.
• Article about Cambodia’s Bamboo Train

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.

• 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

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:

• Cambodia Visa and Arrival at Siem Reap Airport
• Cambodia: How to Avoid the Crowds at Angkor Wat
• Filling up your scooter in Cambodia
• The Best Tasting Street Food in Siem Reap
• Angkor Wat at Dawn: Is it worth it?
• Come face to face with Angkor Thom’s Bayon
• Good vs. Evil at Angkor Thom’s Impressive Southern Gate
• The Baphuon Temple and the Terrace of the Elephants at Angkor Thom
• Visiting Siem Reap’s War Museum
• Where to Stay in Siem Reap
• Visiting Siem Reap’s Markets
• Give your taste buds a disco at Siem Reap Night Market
• Responsible Tourism at Joe to Go in Siem Reap
• What to See and Do in Siem Reap
• Which Siem Reap Floating Village should you visit?
• Memorable Boat Trip from Siem Reap to Battambang
• Libations and Bric-a-Brac tempt our purse strings in Battambang
• Vegetable Amok at About the World Restaurant in Battambang
• Cooking Classes at Nary’s Kitchen Battambang
• Pomme Bar, Restaurant and Hostel, at the Core of the new Battambang
• An educational trip around Battambang’s Central Market
• Sightseeing and things to do in Battambang Cambodia
• Bayon VIP Bus from Battambang to Phnom Penh Cambodia
• Exploring Phnom Penh’s 172nd Street in the dark
• The challenge of wandering Phnom Penh’s streets
• A visit to Phnom Penh’s Central Market
• Exploring Phnom Penh’s Markets
• Phnom Penh Photo Diary
• Tops sights to see in Phnom Penh
• Touring S-21 Security Prison (Tuol Sleng Museum Phnom Penh)
• A reflective visit to The Killing Fields
• Taking a train from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville
• The majesty of Otres Beach sunsets
• Our Workaway Gig at Otres Beach Market Cambodia
• Working Away to make Cambodian Bagels
• Cambodia Pastry Wars: The Battle of the Quiche
• Our Cambodia workaway gig renovating a market stall
• Unwind on Cambodia’s Koh Ta Kiev Island
• Cambodian Beach Massage and Grilled Seafood
• Building Community during our Cambodian Workaway
• Gecko Village in Kampot Cambodia – a Photo Essay
• Christmas Eve in Kampot
• more coming