The World's Longest Bamboo Bridge in Cambodia is Recreated Annually

Cambodia boasts the world's longest bamboo bridge, spanning 3,000 feet with 50,000 bamboo sticks. This impressive structure connects Kampong Cham, the country's sixth-largest town, to Koh Paen island, home to 1,000 families, situated across the Mekong River. The bridge is a seasonal creation, reconstructed annually during the dry season when the Mekong River's waters recede, rendering the ferry service inadequate.

In preparation for the impending rainy season and the swelling river, the bamboo bridge is manually disassembled, with the bamboo sticks either stored or repurposed for other construction projects. This practice is vital due to the formidable currents and water levels during the monsoon season, which would overwhelm the bridge. During this period, local residents typically rely on boats or ferries for transportation.

Construction of the new bridge commences when the river's water level drops, leaving the riverbed exposed. Workers drive tall bamboo poles into the riverbed, topped with a layer of split bamboo matting to form the bridge's surface. Additional bamboo poles are added at different angles to reinforce the foundation, creating a structure capable of supporting light vehicles. Despite its strength, the bamboo bridge provides a somewhat bouncy ride for travelers. This characteristic results from bamboo's flexibility, as it bends under pressure rather than breaking, creating a wavy journey accompanied by the sound of the deck rattling under the vehicle's tires.

Thousands of tourists flock to Kampong Cham annually to experience this unique bridge. Local residents are charged a modest fee of 100 riels (approximately Rs 2.02) to cross, while foreign tourists pay a significantly higher fee. These tolls generate daily revenue ranging from 1 to 2 million riels (approximately Rs 20,167.27 to Rs 40,334), with the majority contributed by tourists.

The bamboo bridge is located just two kilometers south of a more modern concrete bridge, measuring 800 meters in length. Unlike the bamboo bridge, the concrete one can accommodate vehicles weighing up to 30 tons and is expected to remain in service for at least 50 years.