Battambang Tuk-Tuk Tour: Colonial Sites & Villages

Colonial Battambang and the villages where families still make rice paper by hand

A half-day morning tuk-tuk tour of Battambang with a local English-speaking guide, hotel pickup at 8:30am, and visits to French colonial architecture, Wat Samrong Knong temple (built over 300 years ago), and working villages where you taste handmade bamboo sticky rice, spring rolls and dried banana. The guide explains the temple's history during the Pol Pot regime and the Well of Shadows memorial site. Includes tuk-tuk, water and snacks. The bamboo train ride costs 5 dollars per person extra.

Step-by-step itinerary

Morning tour of Battambang and countryside

• Pick up from hotel at 8:30am
• Briefing about the tour
• Visit French colonial buildings
• Explore local market and symbol of Battambang
• Visit Wat Samrong Knong temple
• Learn about Pol Pot regime and see Well of Shadows
• Visit small villages and local families making traditional foods
• Walk around fish paste market
• Ride original bamboo train
• Visit ancient temple with big Buddha statue
• Drop off at hotel

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel at 8:30am and moves through Battambang's city center to see the French colonial buildings that still stand there, then stops at the local market to see Lok Ta Dambong Kra Nhoung, the symbol of Battambang. From there the tuk-tuk heads out to Wat Samrong Knong, a Buddhist temple built more than 300 years ago that was used as a prison during the Pol Pot regime. Your guide spends time explaining that history and the Well of Shadows, a killing field where over 10,000 people died. You'll see the skulls and bones of victims preserved there.

After the temple, the route moves into the countryside to visit small villages where families work at their trades. You'll stop at homes making bamboo sticky rice, rice paper for spring rolls, and dried banana, and you can taste the samples as you go. A short walk through the fish paste market (known locally as Cambodian cheese) rounds out the village section before the guide drops you back at your hotel. The whole tour runs four to five hours.

An optional bamboo train ride is available for 5 dollars per person. The operator notes this may be one of the last chances to ride the original bamboo train, as the government plans to close it. On the ride you'll pass small villages and countryside from the train itself.

What’s included

• Tuk-tuk and driver.
• English-speaking local guide.
• hotel pickup.
• bottled water.
• snacks to taste including bamboo sticky rice, spring rolls and dried banana.
• a donation to the local families you visit.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (18 to 54 years) · Senior (55 to 70 years) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 13 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 30 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 5

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Battambang tours by bun

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to combine colonial architecture and working villages in one morning: the tuk-tuk route covers both in a single loop, whereas other tours typically focus on one or the other.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (4 to 13 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Wat Samrong Knong and why does the guide spend time there?

Wat Samrong Knong is a Buddhist temple built over 300 years ago that served as a prison during the Pol Pot regime. The guide explains the temple's history and the Pol Pot era, and shows you the Well of Shadows, a memorial site where over 10,000 people were killed. Skulls and bones of victims are preserved there.

Do I get to taste the food the villagers make?

Yes. You stop at family homes in the countryside where they make bamboo sticky rice, rice paper for spring rolls, and dried banana, and you can taste samples of these as snacks on the way.

What time does the tour start and when will I be back at my hotel?

Pickup is at 8:30am from your hotel. The tour runs four to five hours, so you'll return to your hotel by early afternoon.

Is the bamboo train ride included in the tour price?

No. The bamboo train ride costs 5 dollars per person and is optional. If you choose to ride it, you'll see small villages and countryside from the train.

What French colonial buildings will I see in Battambang?

The tour visits the French colonial buildings that remain standing in Battambang's city center as part of the morning route through the city before heading to the temple and villages.