Bamboo Train, Battambang Overview

The Bamboo Train or Nori is among the top attractions in the provincial town of Battambang in Cambodia. It is an old railway track made of wood or bamboo running on a simple motor system, and on a 20-minute ride, the train takes tourists through the beautiful countryside of Battambang. The old track was shut recently, and alternative new routes for tourist rides pass through Angkor ruins amidst the lush villages, making it a worthy attraction to explore.

Bamboo Train History & Significance

The Bamboo trains or Nori came into existence post-Cambodia's war years when most of the country's connectivity was destroyed. On wooden platforms called norries, people transported everything from common goods, trade items to passengers, which were manually ridden. Until 1990, these manual bamboo trains connected many rural towns in Cambodia. The railway track in Battambang was a vital line connecting the city of Poi Pet close to Thailand border to Phnom Penh, the capital city. Only later, engines replaced men making the bamboo trains suitable for modern day life.

As roads began to connect the cities and vehicles became abundant, the bamboo train lost its importance among the locals, but instead eventually has become a popular tourist attraction of Battambang.

Bamboo Train Rides For Tourists

The old bamboo railway track stretched for about 7 km, connecting two villages near Battambang. It was a single track where trains ran on small motors. When two trains faced off on one track, the one with less heavy load would dismantle to make way for the other, which was a unique experience to the travelers. Locals also used this extensively for the commute. After enduring difficulty in maintenance for a long time, it was shut down in 2018.

New lines exclusively built for tourists start from the base of Phnom Banan, an ancient Angkorian temple in Sang Village. The bamboo track runs for about 4 km and ends at Chouteau commune. There are six bamboo motor-powered trains with comfortable cushioned seats running all day. Located a little farther from Battambang downtown, it takes half-a-day to complete this Bamboo train ride. The trains pass through lovely landscapes covering villages comprising of paddy fields, temples, fruit orchards and pretty local flora.

The trains briefly stop for about 10 minutes midway between a village, where you will find local families selling drinks, food and even souvenirs. Targeted to tourists, they can be persistent in getting you to buy, especially group of children, who also offer to be tour guides. You can politely decline when asked to haggle or book guides or purchase things from local here.

How To Reach Bamboo Train

It takes about 25 minutes to reach the railway station to board the bamboo train from the town centre of Battambang. The best way to enter is to hire a Tuk-Tuk, which costs about 8 USD per person for a round trip, and lesser if shared. You can also rent a motorbike for about 6 to 8 USD per day, which you can park outside the station. But if you plan to get down on the other side and continue exploring, Tuk-Tuk or a cab would be the best way to get to the station.