LOCATION: Battambang, Cambodia
The “Bamboo train” or “Norry” is an improvised rail vehicle unique to Cambodia, which used to be driven on the abandoned rail tracks between Phnom Penh and Battambang. The cart itself consists of a steel frame overlaid with bamboo slats resting on wheels taken from abandoned tanks and is powered by a small motorcycle or tractor engine.
After being used for years by villagers to transport people, local produce, rice, motorbikes and even livestock, in October 2017 the original bamboo train was ended due to the government’s effort to rebuild the rail line from the Thai border to Phnom Penh.
However, due to its incredible popularity with local and foreign visitors, the bamboo train has been rebuilt to keep the history alive while continuing to provide the much-needed income for local livelihoods. The brand-new 4 km track runs through stunning scenic countryside alongside Battambang’s Banon hill.
After experiencing the thrill of the bamboo train ride, there will be the opportunity to discover and enjoy lunch at the “mushroom village”, a small rural town where most households adopted the cultivation of growing mushrooms.
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