5 Things You Need To Do In Battambang

Battambang is Cambodia’s third-biggest city, but you’d never guess it from how quiet it feels. It’s a little harder to reach than Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, and it doesn’t sit on the typical Southeast Asia backpacker route, so far fewer tourists make it out here. That’s exactly what makes it worth the detour. I spent two in Battambang during my two weeks in Cambodia and it ended up being one of my favorite stops in this country.

Not only is Battambang very close to the rainforest, which makes it more special in my opinion but there are also fewer tourists than in the other towns in Cambodia. Most people just go to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat (which is of course very impressive and you shouldn’t skip it) but Battambang also has cool things to offer. If you are planning to travel around Cambodia it is the easiest to get to Battambang from Siem Reap and then take the bus back to Phon Penh.

Here are five things that you need to do when you visit Battambang.

1. Take a Cooking Class

This was one of the coolest experiences I had in Cambodia. A handful of restaurants around town run cooking classes, and I went with Coconut Lyly. We started with a trip to the local market to pick out the ingredients ourselves, which was honestly half the fun, it’s a great way to see how locals shop and cook long before you ever get near a stove. Cooking and eating vegetarian in Cambodia is a lot easier than you might think.

Back at the restaurant, we worked in pairs to cook a full menu: a salad, spring rolls, a curry (you can choose fish or a vegetarian tofu version), and a desert. Everything we made turned out genuinely delicious, and I walked away with recipes I still use at home.

Good to know: book a spot a day in advance if you can, classes fill up fast in high season.

2. Go See the Flower Fields on the Lake

A short ride outside the city, Kamping Puoy Reservoir is where locals grow water lilies that are used to make fabric but you can also eat them. There is a woman with a little cart selling the seeds next to the lake and you can try it right there and then. Peel out the seeds from the flower and it makes for a healthy snack.

Book a guide or a tuktuk-driver to take you there and make a beautiful, low-key half-day trip away from the city center of it. It’s a nice contrast to the temples and markets: quiet, green, and mostly locals rather than tourists. Our guide could tell us a little more about the water lilies and how they are used to make fabric, which was really interesting. If you have the time there is a factory near Siem Reap you can visit where they process the lilies.

Good to know: It is not easy to reach the Kamping Puoy Reservoir. Rent a driver with a tuktuk who takes you there or book a tour.

3. Biggest Bat Colony in South East Asia

Every evening just after sunset, millions of bats stream out of a massive cave to hunt in the surrounding fields. Battambang is home to the largest bat colony in Southeast Asia. The exodus can take up to half an hour, and it’s honestly one of those moments where photos don’t come close to doing it justice. Bring a drink, grab a spot with a view of the cave mouth, and just watch the sky change. This was absolutely magical.

This event was jaw dropping and one of my favourite things to witness in Cambodia. I couldn’t stop looking at the millions of bats that came out of that cave and dissapeared over the fields to hunt.

4. Go on a Train Ride

This one isn’t a must-do, but it’s a lot of fun. The Bamboo Train (Ou Sra Lav) is exactly what it sounds like: a small wooden platform on wheels, powered by a little engine, that rattles along old train tracks through the countryside. It’s rickety, a little chaotic, and a genuinely unique way to see the rural landscape around Battambang.

5. Visit a Phnom Sampev With the best View

Cambodia isn’t exactly known for its hills, which is part of what makes this one worth the climb. Getting up to Phnom Sampev means tackling a long, exhausting staircase, but the payoff is worth it. The temple itself is small, but the view from the top, looking out over the surrounding countryside, is one of the best you’ll get in Battambang. And also a pretty rare view in this Asian country. There are monkeys roaming around on the top so make sure to keep your belongings close and your food packed away, otherwise they will try to steal it away from you.

Final Thoughts

Battambang doesn’t try as hard as Siem Reap or Phnom Penh to impress you, and that’s exactly why it’s worth the stop. Fewer crowds, more room to actually explore, and a handful of experiences you won’t find anywhere else in Cambodia. I absolutely loved the time I spent in Battambang and would advise anyone to go there if you have a couple days. My favourite thing that we did was to take the boat from Siem Reap to Battambang. This is a truly unique experience not a lot of travelers get to do.