Bridge of bamboo

The bamboo bridge to Koh Paen

It's not the only bamboo bridge in Cambodia, but it's the one that gets the most press and it resides in the middle of the Mekong River in Kompong Cham city. The Bamboo Bridge to Koh Paen is an impressive feat of engineering that takes place every dry season to help the villagers on the island of Koh Paen connect to the mainland. It can accommodate pedestrians, bicycles, motorbikes and cars (preferably without passengers) and is constructed of bamboo of course, woven together in a form of matting with wire, supported by beams and altogether very sturdy. It's dismantled in the wet season when the only connection is via ferry boats and can stretch to 300 metres long depending on the water levels. It costs 3,000 riel each way to use the bridge on a moto as its a private construction and it's very close to Kompong Cham city, so next time you are in town, head for the bridge and take time to discover the island delights of Koh Paen. The villagers are very friendly and the island, effectively a giant sandbar in the middle of the Mekong River, is known for its fruit, tobacco and fishing.

Bicycles, motos and cars use the bamboo bridge to Koh Paen
The water level at the moment is quite low
The bridge takes you to the sandbars that constitute Koh Paen island
The bridge is high enough and the water level low enough to accommodate small fishing boats