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Bamboo Train: A Ride Through Rural Cambodia

Experience a unique Cambodian adventure on a bamboo platform, riding the rails through picturesque countryside near Battambang.

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The Bamboo Train in Battambang offers a unique and rustic rail experience. Originally created by villagers to transport goods and people, these makeshift trains, or 'norries,' provide a memorable ride through the countryside on a bamboo platform powered by a small motor.

A brief summary to Bamboo Train Battambang

  • 3698+JWH, Krong Battambang, KH

Local tips

  • Bring sunscreen and a hat, as the ride offers little shade from the Cambodian sun.
  • Prepare for a bumpy ride and hold on tight, especially when the train picks up speed.
  • Carry small US dollar bills for the ticket and any purchases at the village stop.
  • Be aware that the original bamboo train is still running despite rumors of closure, which are often a scam to attract tourists to the new bamboo train.
  • Consider combining the bamboo train ride with a tuk-tuk tour of other Battambang highlights for a comprehensive experience.
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Getting There

  • Tuk-tuk

    From Battambang city center, the Bamboo Train is approximately a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride. Negotiate the fare beforehand, with a typical price ranging from $3 to $5 for a one-way trip. Alternatively, you can book a tour that includes transportation to and from the Bamboo Train.

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Discover more about Bamboo Train Battambang

The Bamboo Train, locally known as 'norry,' is a unique and improvised rail transport found in the Battambang province of Cambodia. Originating in the 1980s after the Khmer Rouge regime, when the country's infrastructure was devastated, villagers ingeniously crafted these trains from bamboo and repurposed truck parts to navigate the broken railway system. These makeshift trains became essential for transporting goods and people across rural areas. A ride on the Bamboo Train involves sitting on a simple bamboo platform mounted on two sets of wheels, propelled by a small gasoline engine. The train travels along the existing tracks, offering a 20-minute ride each way, covering a 7km route. The experience provides a glimpse into rural Cambodian life, passing through rice fields and offering interactions with local communities. While the future of the Bamboo Train is uncertain due to potential railway redevelopment, it remains a popular tourist attraction. The original Bamboo Train operates about 5 km from Battambang city center. The 'new' bamboo train is more of an amusement ride located 21km from Battambang City.

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