Phnom Penh is a metropolis that’s steeped in historical past and tradition, with unimaginable meals, beautiful structure, and bustling markets.
Regardless of being comparatively small in dimension, there are many issues to do in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s bustling capital metropolis.
Whereas most individuals go to the capital as a gateway to achieve Siam Reap or the island of Koh Rong, there’s no purpose why you must stick round for a number of days and benefit from the websites. Phnom Penh has a number of the most historic and enlightening points of interest in Cambodia, from the Royal Palace to the Killing Fields.
On this information, we’ll present you what to do in Phnom Penh. So seize a pen and paper, and jot these unmissable locations down.
1. Go to The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 Jail)
To actually perceive Cambodia as a rustic, its tradition and folks, I actually advocate studying a bit about Cambodia’s tragic previous and the genocide throughout the Khmer Rouge regime within the late 70’s.
The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, or Safety Jail 21 (S-21), is a former highschool that was one among probably the most brutal re-education camps in Cambodia, the place hundreds of individuals have been killed and tortured.
Most prisoners have been taken right here for questioning, earlier than being taken to the Killing Fields simply outdoors of Phnom Penh.
Each sights are heartbreaking and a whole lot of guests can get vicarious trauma from listening to the tales, because the brutality of the regime is portrayed in a lot element. So do go at your personal discretion.
If you happen to do go, typically there’s a person who visits this jail to inform travellers about his time as a prisoner there. He was one of many survivors of the Regime, stored alive to work as a mechanic fixing typewriters.
On the very least, get the audioguide.
Though it’s unhappy, I feel you will need to find out about this level in historical past, to go away with the mindset that occasions like this can by no means occur once more. It’s particularly respectful so that you can know so you possibly can empathise with the Cambodian individuals, who’s latest ancestors endured this.
2. Try The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
A extra cheerful sight is the Royal Palace, which is a stark distinction to Phnom Penh’s dusty streets with its manicured gardens, gilded throne corridor, and golden buildings.
It’s a stunning advanced with heaps of spectacular Khmer structure to discover. It’s the official residence of the Cambodian King and is a website of sacred significance, so cowl your shoulders and knees earlier than visiting, as you can’t get in in any other case.
Remember to take a look at the Silver Pagoda, often known as Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Preah Keo Morakot).
It’s well-known for its silver tiles which enhance the ground and silver stupas on both facet, that are mentioned to include the cremated our bodies of former kings.
3. Go Temple Hopping
There are additionally a lot of stunning buddhist temples (or wats) scattered round Phnom Penh, which are all price seeing.
You gained’t discover many vacationers visiting these temples, so many of the time you’ll have all of them to your self. Probably the most well-known one is Wat Phnom, the place Phnom Penh was allegedly based in 1422.
Different temples actually price seeing for his or her architectural delights are Wat Lanka, Wat Ounalom, and Wat Botum.
If you happen to go to any temples be sure that to take off your sneakers earlier than you enter, cowl your shoulders and knees and by no means level your foot soles at anybody, particularly not the Buddha statues.
4. Take a stroll alongside the riverfront
spot for individuals watching
My favorite neighbourhood for exploring is the riverfront, which is beautiful for a stroll, but in addition nice to seize a chunk to eat, take pleasure in a chilly drink and go to some native markets, such because the outdated market (phsar chas) within the outdated French quarter.
It’s all the time busy with locals and vacationers alike and in case you fancy getting energetic you possibly can even be a part of one of many out of doors cardio classes with the locals for $0.25.
5. Attempt Khmer Meals
Khmer meals just isn’t very well-known outdoors of Cambodia, however it’s positively price attempting.
Road meals will be discovered in every single place in Phnom Penh, as distributors have cell kitchens hooked up to their motorbikes and so are capable of put together meals anyplace they cease.
It’s scrumptious and actually low cost the place dishes typically solely prices $1.
If you’re thirsty be sure that to strive scrumptious Khmer ice espresso, recent sugarcane juice with lime or recent coconut juice, all accessible from cell drink carts for roughly $0.50.
My favorite restaurant has received to be Samaky Restaurant, a social enterprise that trains road kids within the catering enterprise and teaches them English.
I’ve by no means seen extra pleasant workers in every other restaurant and by consuming there you help a very good trigger as effectively.
I like to recommend the nationwide dish, Fish Amok, a candy coconut curry that’s form of candy. Pair it with mango sticky rice such as you would discover in Thailand, and a ice chilly cocktail.
6. Take pleasure in Phnom Pehn’s Vibrant Nightlife
As Phnom Penh has a big expat group there are many bars scattered round Phnom Penh.
Most of them have completely happy hours the place a glass of ice-cold Angkor beer will normally value you $0.75, and a cocktail $2. Most bars are down the riverfront, on road 278 or 51. You’ll be spoiled for selection.
If you favor ingesting with the locals you possibly can check out one of many plentiful Khmer beer gardens, the place a pitcher of beer will value you round $1.50. Be ready for some karaoke although.
Or, take into account a sundown cruise on the Mekong, Tonle Sap and 4 Faces Rivers, which comes with limitless beer. Not dangerous for a $15 funding!
Or, if you wish to celebration in a non-public house, you possibly can hire one of many many boats alongside the river which may host as much as 50 individuals.
Prices are round $20 for a 2-hour cruise and you may convey your personal drinks and meals. The boat takes you down each the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap – very stress-free technique to spend your evening.
7. Watch a Conventional Cambodian Apsara Dance
If you want to see some conventional Cambodian dancing I like to recommend the Chaktomuk Theatre on Sisowath Quay the place you possibly can see the Apsara Dance and a few very elaborate costumes.
8. Go to the native markets
There are three markets the place you should purchase souvenirs. The most important is the Russian Market on Road 163, which sells the whole lot from souvenirs, to engine components, antiques or recent meals.
Then there’s the Central Market on Road 128, positioned in an attractive artwork deco constructing, however sells comparable merchandise to the Russian market, however is a bit smaller.
The third is the Phnom Penh Evening Market on the riverfront on the nook of Road 108. It’s open on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s a great spot to pattern some road meals and to purchase souvenirs.
Haggling is a should on all three markets to get the very best deal. If you’re into artwork and handicrafts in explicit I like to recommend a go to to Road 178 the place galleries and workshops line the road reverse the College of Arts.
9. Try the Water Competition in October
The most important occasion every year is the Water Competition in October.
The three-day competition is of nice significance because it celebrates the top of the wet season, the beginning of the fishing season, and likewise the distinctive pure phenomenon – the circulate of the Tonle Sap river altering route!
Many villagers all through the nation spend nearly a full 12 months making ready their villages boat for the well-known boat races. These are elaborately and brightly embellished dug out canoes with massive eyes on the prows to push back evil spirits.
10. Witness the Royal Ploughing Ceremony
One other huge occasion is the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, which marks the start of the wet and rice rising season (normally held in Could).
The Royal household is normally concerned and it is possible for you to to see parades on the grounds of the Nationwide Museum, Buddhist rituals, marching bands and the precise ploughing ceremony the place two royal oxens plough the bottom and are then supplied a varierty of meals and spirits.
Relying on what the oxen chooses to eat is an indication for a very good or dangerous harvest.
11. Take a day journey to Tonle Bati
I’d actually advocate a go to to Tonle Bati and its close by Angkorian temple spoil Ta Promenade.
Tonle Bati is a lake the place locals typically come for the weekend to have a picnic by the lake, go for a ship trip or a dip within the cool water.
While I wouldn’t advocate swimming within the lake for well being causes, the picnic areas by the lake are the proper spot to calm down in a hammock and eat snacks offered by the varied road distributors or eating places.
A couple of minutes away from the lake is the Ta Prohm Smash, which dates again to the late twelfth century. While you get larger ruins within the Angkor Wat temple advanced in Siem Reap, you can have this spoil all to your self for a real Tomb Raider expertise.
You may get there by reserving personal vehicles through tour operators or negotiate a cope with any tuk tuk driver on the town. It takes about 1 hour in a automobile and 1.5 hours in a tuk tuk. Count on to pay about round $30 for both mode of transport.
12. Take a day journey to Oudong
I’ve already talked about Tonle Bati above, however there’s additionally one other place that’s simply reachable for a half-day journey, which is Oudong.
Oudong has been Cambodia’s former capital till Phnom Penh grew to become the brand new capital in 1866. It’s now the official resting place of probably the most sacred of Buddha’s bones possessed by Cambodia. The bones are in a temple on prime of a mountain.
After a ten to twenty minute climb from the bottom of the mountain it is possible for you to to witness a beautiful view all the way down to the encircling Wats, rice fields and floodplains. You may get there through tuk tuk or reserving a tour with a tour operator for roughly $30.
13. Go to Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Middle
If you happen to’re an animal lover visiting Phnom Penh, a go to to the Tamao Wildlife Rescue Middle, owned by the Wildlife Alliance, is an absolute should.
This unimaginable sanctuary is residence to over 1,200 animals, a lot of which have been rescued from the unlawful wildlife commerce or from habitats that have been threatened by improvement.
At Tamao, guests can rise up shut and private with all kinds of animals, together with tigers, elephants, bears, gibbons, and extra.
You’ll study concerning the unimaginable work being achieved to rehabilitate these superb creatures and protect their pure habitats.
Not solely is a go to to Tamao an effective way to satisfy the native wildlife of Cambodia, nevertheless it’s additionally an effective way to help the necessary work of wildlife conservation.
By visiting the middle and studying about these unimaginable animals, you’ll be serving to to lift consciousness and encourage others to take motion to guard endangered species.
14. Pay your respects on the Choeung Ek Genocidal Middle (Killing Fields)
Whereas not probably the most cheerful of locations to go to in Phnom Penh, a go to to the Choeung Ek Genocidal Middle is an extremely necessary and sobering expertise and shouldn’t be missed.
This website is among the most important memorials to the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime, which dominated Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 and oversaw the deaths of roughly 1.5 – 3 million individuals.
The Killing Fields, as they’re generally recognized, are a testomony to the atrocities dedicated throughout this darkish interval of Cambodian historical past.
You possibly can stroll previous the mass graves and see areas that have been used for torture. Remember to get the audio information for info. It’s very effectively knowledgeable and detailed, and permits guests to study concerning the horrors that happened right here and pay their respects to the victims.
Whereas it will not be the simplest or most uplifting expertise, a go to to the Choeung Ek Genocidal Middle is a vital reminder of the risks of totalitarianism and the significance of by no means forgetting the tragedies of the previous.
15. See stunning artwork on the Nationwide Museum of Cambodia
The Nationwide Museum of Cambodia is a surprising museum that’s residence to the world’s largest assortment of Khmer artwork and artifacts, together with sculptures, ceramics, and textiles from all through Cambodia’s wealthy historical past.
You possibly can discover reveals that span from the prehistoric period to the fashionable day, with a selected concentrate on the Angkor interval between the ninth and fifteenth centuries.
You’ll study concerning the historic Khmer civilization and the unimaginable artwork and structure they created, in addition to the challenges they confronted over the centuries.
What units the Nationwide Museum of Cambodia aside is not only the unimaginable assortment on show, but in addition the beautiful constructing wherein it’s housed.
The museum’s structure was impressed by conventional Khmer design, with an attractive central courtyard lined with galleries.
16. Head to Koh Dach (Silk Island) and leanrn about silk weaving
An exquisite escape from the hustle and bustle of the town is to Silk Island.
This small island in the midst of the Mekong River is thought for its stunning surroundings, conventional weaving practices, and tranquil ambiance.
You possibly can discover native villages and study concerning the silk weaving course of, which has been handed down via generations.
You possibly can watch expert weavers creating intricate patterns on conventional looms and even buy stunning, handmade silk merchandise to take residence as souvenirs.
Koh Dach can also be a terrific place to calm down and unwind. The island is residence to a number of quiet seashores and scenic spots the place you possibly can take pleasure in the great thing about the Mekong River and the encircling countryside.
17. See the Magnificent Independence Monument
The Independence Monument is among the most iconic landmarks in Phnom Penh.
This beautiful monument was inbuilt 1958 to commemorate Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953.
It options intricate carvings and exquisite structure impressed by conventional Khmer design.
It’s surrounded by a lush park, which is a well-liked spot for locals to calm down and benefit from the outdoor.
The realm across the monument is residence to many outlets, eating places, and cafes, making it a terrific spot to seize a chunk to eat or do some memento buying.
The place to remain in Phnom Penh
There are a whole lot of low cost guesthouses on the Golden Mile on road 278, referred to as golden mile as a result of most guesthouses have the phrase golden of their title.
An awesome trendy lodge in a perfect location is Citadines Flatiron Phnom Penh. It has very pleasant and useful workers of the workers and clear and comfy rooms.
A mid-range lodge I can actually advocate is the Plantation City Resort & Spa. It has a swimming pool, which could be very refreshing after a scorching day of sightseeing. The meals is Khmer and Swiss and really scrumptious.
If you’re into extra upmarket lodges then I can advocate the Raffles Le Royal Lodge, which is merely stunning in structure, luxurious, affords scrumptious excessive midday teas and likewise has a terrific swimming pool.
For extra locations to remain in Phnom Penh select from the biggest vary of lodges, flats, and guesthouses with our varied companions utilizing the map beneath.
Attending to and round Phnom Penh
Sadly, there aren’t any direct flights from Europe, the US or Australia to Phnom Pehn, so that you both have to cease in Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and switch there.
Air Asia is a well-liked funds airline in Asia that connects most main cities. There are some execs and cons to Air Asia, however they’re very low cost and normally dependable.
Buses are less expensive, however take loads longer as effectively. If you happen to come from Vietnam you possibly can take a bus or boat from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis.
The bus journey takes about 6 hours, and could be very comfy. The boat trip takes about 4 hours and is basically picturesque because it takes you thru the Mekong Delta.
There are additionally buses accessible from Bangkok, however they take an entire day with varied adjustments concerned. A bus from Pakse/Laos is about 15 hours.
Public Transport in Phnom Pehn
Phnom Penh hasn’t received the posh of public buses or an underground system that different Asian metropolises have. So to get spherical you possibly can both take a tuk tuk or a moto taxi.
There are many these round and also you gained’t have the ability to stroll a meter with out being supplied a trip. Motos are a bit cheaper, however don’t count on the driving force have a helmet for you.
I favor tuk tuks. They’re protected and also you get to calm down on the comfortable seats while with the ability to take within the surrounding sights. Negotiate a worth in advance and count on to pay between $2-$4, relying on how far you go.
Phnom Pehn isn’t probably the most walkable metropolis. You may also use Seize and Bolt to order bikes and taxis.
What’s the greatest time to go to Phnom Penh?
There are three seasons in Cambodia. The scorching season (November to January), the very popular season (February to Could) and the wet season (June to October).
The common temperature throughout the scorching season is round 32°C (89.6°F), so it is a good time to go to.
The very popular season is sort of insufferable when it will get as excessive as 39°C-42°C (102°F-107°F) levels.
The wet season is kind of a pleasant time to go to as effectively, because the rice paddies are very inexperienced and lush and the afternoon rainfalls cool the excessive temperatures down just a little bit.
Is Phnom Penh Price Visiting?
I discussed earlier that Phnom Penh is simply a whistle cease for a lot of vacationers who simply cease by on their technique to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, however in my view, it’s positively price visiting and shouldn’t be overseen.
Phnom Penh immediately is sort of unrecognizable to the Phnom Penh of 10 years in the past, when individuals nonetheless lived in conventional wood homes, rice paddies lined the river, and UN automobiles roamed the dust tracks attempting to convey peace to a rustic after 30 years of battle.
Immediately there are respectable roads, trendy bars and eating places, buying malls, a quite a few quantity of high-rise buildings, and plenty of historic sights. Phnom Penh is a metropolis on the up.
For me, it’s not simply the sights although. For me Phnom Penh is all concerning the individuals, the ambiance and tempo of life. Not like different Asian cities, comparable to Bangkok, Phnom Penh is the proper sized metropolis and far extra stress-free.
If you happen to go to Cambodia come and discover Phnom Penh for no less than 2 or 3 days, which. is the proper period of time to see the highlights and get a really feel for the town.
Gradual down, take walks, get misplaced and discover the jewel of Southeast Asia.
In style Excursions in Cambodia
What are you most wanting ahead to doing in Phnom Penh? Share your ideas within the feedback.
