Outside town

A must do

What we say:

The countryside surrounding Battambang is simply stunning, especially when the rice fields are sprouting.

It's easy to spend two to three days exploring, while someone determined to see everything the area has to offer could spend a week here. Despite its proximity to Thailand and the good road to Phnom Penh, relatively few tourists make it here, which is a shame for them, but no doubt good for those who make the effort.

Best seen by motorbike, hunt down a motodop who speaks reasonable English (not too difficult), who should be able to give you good advice on what to see and in what order.

It's best to avoid travelling in the middle of the day as the heat is oppressive. Instead, leave early in the morning, see a couple of sights, return to Battambang for a few hours' siesta, then head out again around 15:00. In the late afternoon light, the rural scenery is simply breathtaking.

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Read 1 opinions from Travelfish readers

Soksabike!!

8th March, 2011

I visited Battambang last weekend, and Soksabike was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. After living in Phnom Penh for the past six months, it is always nice to get a chance to escape the crowds and pollution of the city - and, in a country with a majority rural population, to remind myself that Phnom Penh and Battambang City are the exception rather than the norm.

Soksabike has the right idea about tourism. They have put together a lovely tour through the countryside that contributes to the local population in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. There is no better way to see the Cambodian countryside than by bicycle - its the perfect pace to match the rural atmosphere. The guides have the right idea about cultural exchange since they were eager to share Cambodian culture and eager to learn about ours. They were extraordinarily friendly and loved sharing what they knew about the Cambodian countryside - from farming practices to rice paper making, they seemed to have a lot of information to share about everything! You could also get a free impromptu Khmer lesson out of if if you are interested and a ton of great Cambodian snacks along the way.

If you're passing through Battambang, Soksabike is definitely worth looking into! The trip starts at a fantastic cafe opened by the same people on street 1 1/2 near Psar Nath.

Outside town reviewed by alliecate (1)
Written on 8th March, 2011, rated 5 out of 5. Visited here in February, 2011

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