The Battambang Bamboo Train: A Cambodian Legend Reimagined
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-538803157-5c64c76d46e0fb00010c6f55.jpg)
At the base of Phnom Banan, approx. 20km south of Battambang.
~$5 per person (prices may vary).
Approx. 20-30 minutes round trip.
Late afternoon for cooler temperatures and golden light.
The Battambang Bamboo Train, or "Norry" as it's known locally, is one of Cambodia's most iconic and ingenious inventions. While the legendary original line has been retired, the spirit of the Norry lives on in a new location, offering visitors a fun and unique ride through the Cambodian countryside.
A Piece of History: The Original Norry
A photo from the original Bamboo Train line in 2015.
The original Norry was born out of necessity in the 1980s after the Khmer Rouge regime. With the national railway in disrepair, locals created these small, motorized bamboo platforms to transport people, goods, and livestock between villages along the abandoned tracks. It was a vital part of the local economy and an incredible example of Khmer resourcefulness.
This legendary line, which ran south of Battambang city, was retired in 2017 to make way for the restored national railway. The photos here are a memory of that unique piece of history.
This is me 😀 Sopheak on the original Norry in 2015.
The Adventure Today: The New Bamboo Train
To keep the tradition alive for visitors, a new, purpose-built Bamboo Train was created at the base of Phnom Banan. While it's now purely a tourist attraction, it's still a fantastic experience. You'll sit on the simple bamboo platform and zip along the single track, clicking and clacking through beautiful rice fields and lush greenery. It's a thrilling, windy, and noisy ride that is guaranteed to make you smile.
How It Works: A Feat of Engineering
What happens when two trains meet on a single track? The rule is simple: the train with the lighter load has to give way. In a matter of seconds, the passengers hop off, the driver and assistant lift the bamboo platform off, roll the wheel axles aside, and let the other train pass. They then reassemble it just as quickly and continue the journey. It's a must-see spectacle of teamwork!
