Phare Ponleu Selpak is one of the most distinctive institutions in Battambang. Both a general education school and a training center for the performing arts, it welcomes children from modest families free of charge and offers circus performances renowned far beyond Cambodge.

Why visit Phare Ponleu Selpak

The appeal of the place lies in bringing together two rarely combined dimensions. On one hand, a school NGO that freely supplements Cambodia's public school curriculum for children from poor families. On the other, an arts school training in live performance careers—circus, music, dance, painting, theater—and giving rise to a semi-professional circus troupe. Attending a performance means directly supporting this educational initiative while enjoying a quality experience.

The tone of performances is deliberately accessible: the semi-professional Phare Ponleu Circus troupe focuses on the humorous side, making shows understandable without prior knowledge of Khmer culture.

History and how the NGO works

Phare Ponleu Selpak—which means "the light of arts" in Khmer—was founded in Battambang in the 1990s by former Cambodian refugees, in a city deeply marked by decades of war. The initial idea: use drawing and the arts as therapeutic tools for traumatized children, before gradually structuring a true educational center.

Today, the general education provided by the NGO freely supplements the public school curriculum. The children involved, mainly aged 6 to 10, attend public school for only half the day; the rest of the time they are welcomed at the NGO to deepen the school curriculum or take artistic classes. The organization is theoretically open to children of all backgrounds, but most come from the primary school located just across the way: the two institutions work in close partnership.

The structure has expanded: some of the artists trained in Battambang now work full-time in Siem Reap, where the professional Phare troupe performs in the evenings for temple visitors. These established artists rarely return to perform in their hometown.

What to see on campus

A daytime campus visit is possible. It allows you to observe school life and understand how general education and artistic training are organized together.

• The kindergarten welcomes the youngest children, not yet ready to join the main program.
• Artistic learning rooms cover traditional and contemporary music, classical Khmer dance, visual arts, theater and circus arts.
• The circus tent, the central location on campus, serves both for training and public evening performances.
• Training spaces where you can see rehearsals of the various artistic disciplines during the day.

This visit gives a concrete overview of the work accomplished before artists take the stage.

Practical information

The show schedule varies by tourist season:

• High season (October to March): 4 performances per week, typically Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
• Low season (April to September): 3 performances per week, typically Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

Shows take place in the evening and last approximately 1 hour. Allow an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour for a campus tour if you arrive early. Ticket prices are moderate and tickets are sold on-site; it is recommended to arrive a bit early during high season, as the tent capacity is limited. Proceeds support the school's operations.

How to get there

Phare Ponleu Selpak is located on the northwest outskirts of Battambang, about 4 km from the city center. The easiest solution is to take a tuk-tuk from the center or your accommodation: expect a few minutes of travel and a very reasonable round-trip fare, with the driver able to wait during the show. A bicycle trip is also possible during the day, but not recommended after dark.

What to see nearby

A visit to Phare Ponleu Selpak naturally fits into a broader discovery of cultural Cambodge. After Battambang, many travelers continue to Siem Reap to explore the major sites of the Khmer empire:

• Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument complex.
• Angkor Thom, ancient fortified royal city.
• Baphûon, temple-mountain at the heart of Angkor Thom.
• Bakong, one of the first Khmer temple-mountains.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip

To integrate Phare Ponleu Selpak and Battambang into a broader cultural itinerary in Cambodge, consult our suggestions on travel to Cambodge: our English-speaking teams can adjust a program combining Battambang, Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor according to your pace and interests.