Best Things in Battambang by Motorbike
Lake at the Banan’s foothill
Old traditional wooden house to visit in Battambang
Battambang is Cambodia’s artistic heart, a laid-back city surrounded by rice fields, rivers, and small hills. Exploring it by motorbike is the best way to capture its charm. Quiet backroads lead you through villages, across suspension bridges, and to ancient temples standing amid green paddies.
Here are the best places to visit around Battambang when you ride your own two wheels.
1. Phnom Banan an Angkor-era temple rising on a small hill southwest of the city. The climb to the top involves hundreds of stone steps, but it’s worth every one for the panoramic view. Luckily, at the foothill you’ll find plenty of stalls selling coconuts, soft drinks, snacks, and simple meals — perfect to refresh before or after the climb.
The five towers at the top resemble a miniature Angkor Wat, and the ride there passes through quiet rural scenery, ideal for an early morning or sunset outing.
Suspension bridge in Wat Tamin, Battambang
2. The Suspension Bridges These narrow wooden and steel bridges are not west of town, as many guides say, but south of Battambang, along the Sangker River on the way to Phnom Banan and the Samlout mountainous area, where the river’s water originates.
Crossing them on a motorbike is an adventure in itself — they sway slightly, and villagers often cross them with motorbikes, bicycles, or even cattle. The ride along the Sangker offers some of the most peaceful and photogenic countryside in the region.
3. Phnom Sampov and the Bat Caves Phnom Sampov (also spelled Sampeau) is one of Battambang’s most striking hills. It holds pagodas, viewpoints, and the well-known Killing Caves memorial, but the real spectacle begins at dusk. Arrive by 5:15 PM to get a good spot, as millions of bats stream out of the cave between approximately 5:30 PM and 6:15 PM in long black ribbons across the sky.
Nearby, a giant Buddha is now carved directly into the limestone — another impressive recent addition to this dramatic hill.
Giant golden buddha, Phnom Thippadei
4. Phnom Thippadei and the Giant Buddha Phnom Thippadei lies further south, in a quiet rural area accessible by small roads and bumpy dirt tracks running along canals from the Phnom Banan side. The ride is scenic, crossing villages where you’ll see farmers tending rice fields and fishermen working along the waterways.
At the top stands a large seated Buddha and open views of the countryside — a rewarding stop for those who prefer less-visited places.
View of Kamping Pouy Reservoir
5. Kamping Pouy Reservoir A vast man-made lake framed by green hills, Kamping Pouy feels almost like a seaside spot in landlocked Cambodia. The area has no accommodations, but you’ll find small stalls and simple restaurants selling drinks, grilled fish, and Khmer snacks near the main viewpoint.
A new concrete road leads to the reservoir and runs along its massive dam wall, which is perfect for a relaxed countryside ride at sunset when the light reflects beautifully on the water.
6. Wat Ek Phnom is an ancient 11th-century temple ruin located north of Battambang, surrounded by trees and small villages. It is sometimes confused with the broader “Ek Phnom area,” but the temple itself stands apart, near the Sangker River.
The ride there takes you along rural lanes through traditional wooden houses and local markets. The old temple and the nearby modern giant Buddha statue make an interesting contrast of Cambodia’s spiritual past and present.
7. Baset Temple A quiet and lesser-known ruin west of Battambang, Baset Temple sits amid green fields and palm trees. The approach road winds through rural areas that are great for off-road exploration. Riders can follow canals or cross paddy fields on dirt trails, and if you continue past the temple, the winding dirt road offers a fun ride through remote villages, eventually leading toward the Tonle Sap floodplain.
During the dry season, it’s even possible to cross into the Tonle Sap zone itself — but only with a proper dirt bike.
Suggested Riding Loops
Loop 1: The Southern Loop (Half to Full Day): Battambang → Suspension Bridges → Phnom Banan → Phnom Thippadei → Phnom Sampov (for sunset bats) → return to town.
Loop 2: The Northern/Western Loop (Half Day): Battambang → Wat Ek Phnom → Baset Temple → Kamping Pouy Reservoir → return to town.
Two-day exploration: Combine all major sites — Banan, Thippadei, Kamping Pouy, Ek Phnom, and Baset — taking your time to follow small canals, stop for coconuts, and enjoy sunset by the reservoir.
Roads are mostly paved, but expect sections with dirt and canal-side trails. The mix of riding and scenery makes Battambang one of the best regions in Cambodia for independent motorbike travel.
Where to Eat
Jaan Bai: A beautifully run restaurant combining modern Khmer cuisine and social impact. Try the fish amok or roasted eggplant.
Ambrosia Café: A relaxed French-Khmer bistro perfect for coffee, wine, or a light meal.
Street Bar: Perfect for savouring sunset drinks and engaging with locals and expats.
The Lonely Tree Café: Vegetarian-friendly with homemade desserts and rooftop views of the old town.
Where to Stay
Le Cabaret Vert: Welcoming, family feel. Eco-friendly bungalows arranged around a tropical pool, with excellent French and Khmer cuisine and a calm, garden atmosphere — one of the most pleasant stays in Battambang.
Battambang Resort: Upscale. Spacious, comfortable rooms and a peaceful setting just outside the city center.
Blue Diamond Hostel Battambang: Budget-friendly hostel. Ideal for a small budget, socialising, especially for the youth at heart.
