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The Complete Cambodian Travel Guide
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital is often thought of an arrival/departure lounge rather than a destination in and of itself. Located where the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap Rivers come together, a few days touring Phnom Penh will provide visitors with some intriguing sites as well as some wonderful creature comforts such as fine French cuisine and days spas to pamper you.
Recommend
1 Just try a glass of Golden Muscle Wine and let us know what you think!
2 The grim reminder of Cambodia’s past on display at The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.
3 The lovely Art Deco architecture of the Central Market.
4 Enjoy the sights and the well-preserved buildings of The Royal Palace.
he Royal Palace.
5 Take an evening stroll along the Sisowath Quay or Riverfront. This is a popular place among tourists and locals alike with many cafes, bars and people watching.
About Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh still has a few remnants of French colonial architecture, though most are in major disrepair. The Khmer Rouge all but emptied Phnom Penh of inhabitants during its 4 year regime from 1975 to 1979 and the scars are still visible throughout the capital.
A visit to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum make for a harrowing journey and inspire mind-boggling reflections on human cruelty. However these, and other Khmer Rouge sites throughout Cambodia, serve not just as a memorial to the millions murdered in this genocide, but as witnesses standing in the locations that remain we, as world citizens and human beings, can help be sure this never happens again.
These are important historical sites, not for the faint, though when solemnly visited help us get the true picture of the Cambodia we see around us today that includes many people with missing limbs due to landmines and war and a striking lack of the elder generation.
Lighter attractions include the Royal Palace, National Museum, wats and markets.
The Royal Palace is a large complex complete with the Silver Pagoda, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Napoleon III Palace (currently being worked on and under a large construction net). The structures are an interesting combination of Cambodian and French architecture built in the 19th century and are definitely worth a visit. Visitors are required to cover their legs and shoulders (sarongs can be rented for the under-clad) and photography is limited. Please note that the Royal Palace complex closes between 10am and 2pm daily and the afternoon sun makes for a very hot tour. From 8-10am is definitely the best time to view the palace.
The National Museum of Cambodia is home to a large collection of ancient artifacts, statues and art. Although photography is not allowed in the museum itself, there is a central courtyard with a statue of the Leper King where pictures are permitted for a small fee.
Two Phnom Penh temples are Wat Phnom (a less impressive sight but its park is a local gathering place) and Way Botum where the young Pol Pot studied as a youth in the 1930s under his real name, Saloth Sar, and was considered to be “a lovely child.” How things changed.
The Central Market or Psar Thmei is an incredible 1930s Art Deco delight that has recently been revamped to its earlier glory. Here you can buy anything and everything and it’s a fun place to look around and enjoy the architecture even if crispy crickets are not on your shopping list.
The Russian Market or Psar Tuol Tom Pong is another must-see market. This is the clothing 2nds mecca offering top designer clothes at a fraction of their Western retail price as articles here are deemed flawed in ways so small most people would not even notice. There are also many master tailors at work in the Russian Market whose skills can turn out custom clothing just for you in a very short time. The Russian Market is also a great place for handicrafts and souvenirs.
Phnom Penh is one of those hubs of eateries, bars and entertainment so welcomed by those who’ve been on the road awhile. Enjoy the delicious food and drink offered all over the city, catch a movie in the air-conditioned wooden Cambodian house knows as The Flicks Community Movie House, get a massage or check out the infinite shopping possibilities at markets and malls as well as the many quality book shops around town.
Getting around Phnom Penh is relatively easy and you have many options from bicycle and walking to motos, tuktuks and taxis. If you are paying for a ride anywhere make sure you decide on your price before you leave and remember that hiring transportation is a great, relatively inexpensive and convenient way to get to many attractions just out of town.
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