Overview

Phnom Penh is the stunning, compact, chaotic capital city of Cambodia with its strategic position at the junction of the mighty Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac Rivers. This beautiful bustling city is filled with breathtaking palaces, intricate temples, pagodas, and fascinating museums. It boasts a walkable riverfront promenade lined with open-air restaurants, bars, and shops. There are endless shopping opportunities with massive markets overflowing with color, food, noise, and entertainment. The city still holds onto part of its ancient charm, with remnants of its French colonial history seen in the architecture. Phnom Penh is home to many beautiful, verdant parks and gardens where visitors can sit and people-watch as the world goes by. The city is known for its delicious local cuisine found in many restaurants and street food stalls, and it has one of the best and fastest-growing foodie scenes in the region. And boasts an incredible nightlife scene.

Things to see and do

Check out the National Museum of Cambodia, which is the largest archeological and cultural history museum housing the national collection and over 5,000 artifacts that date back to the ancient Angkorian period. Housed in a 1920s traditional Khmer building displaying rare statues, lingas, and other items, including the Leper King from Siem Reap. Be sure to check out the stunning verdant central courtyard surrounded by blooming gardens and four lotus pools.

Visit Wat Phnom, the hilltop temple from which the city took its name. Wat Phnom sits atop the only hill in the city, a tree-covered knoll with a grand staircase that leads to the main entrance of the temple guarded by lions and naga balustrades. Legend has it that the first pagoda was erected on this site in 1372 and housed four statues of Buddha that were deposited here by the waters of the Mekong River. The temple is open daily. People come here today to pray for good luck, and when a wish is granted, the faithful return to deliver on the offering promised, such as a garland of jasmine flowers.

See Wat Ounalom, one of the oldest and most important pagodas in the city and the headquarters of Cambodian Buddhism. It is the seat of Cambodia’s Mohanikay order, dating back to the reign of Ponhea Yat in the 15th century. There are 44 structures here, the main complex features four sanctuaries, one containing a fine bronze Buddha, a stupa which is believed to contain an eyebrow hair of Buddha, and an inscription in Pali. 

Visit the magnificent Royal Palace, which is one of the most lavishly decorated buildings in the city. It dominates the skyline of Phnom Penh. A striking structure located near the riverfront, boasting a classic Khmer roof, ornate gilding, and immaculate French landscaped gardens. It serves as the official residence of King Sihamoni and has been home to the royal family since 1860. Tourists can visit the Throne Hall, the ornate temples, libraries, galleries, gardens, and palace grounds. 

See the spectacular Silver Pagoda set on the banks of the river amongst beautiful scenic surroundings. The prominent and extravagant temple, also known as Wat Preah Keo, or Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is known for its 5,000 (approximately 5 tons!) gleaming silver tiles that adorn the floors. The staircase leading to the Silver Pagoda is made from Italian marble. The pagoda is filled with a number of religious relics like the Emerald Buddha, Baccarat-crystal sculptures, a life-sized golden Buddha decorated with 2,086 diamonds, the largest weighing in at 25 carats!! 

Check out the Tuol Sleng Museum, which was a high-security prison in the 1970s during the Khmer Rouge regime. Over 14,000 Cambodians were imprisoned, interrogated, tortured, and killed (only 7 prisoners survived) here. The museum is a solemn site featuring graphic photographs of some of the victims as well as rooms and cells with boarded-up windows. There is an audio tour available providing information about the prison and its horrific uses during the genocidal crimes of the Khmer Rouge regime. 

See the majestic Independence Monument, built in 1958 to celebrate Cambodia’s Independence from French Colonial rule. This Buddhist-style sandstone structure represents an Angkorian temple crowned by Khmer Nagas. It dominates the heart of the city, standing 65 feet tall with 5 levels that are illuminated at night.

Shopping

The city of Phnom Penh offers some excellent shopping opportunities found inside shopping malls, markets, and local shops. Some of the great markets to check out in the city include Central Market and a landmark dating back to the 30s featuring four wings spanning out from the massive central golden dome, a great place to pick up items such as flowers, gold, and antiques. The Russian Market is another recognizable landmark dating to the early 80s, where highly discounted items are on sale, such as silk, jewelry, and handicrafts, along with delicious street food. Sisowath Quay is a bustling area in the evenings filled with restaurants, cafes, shops, and galleries with artwork and silk for sale in a vibrant atmosphere.

Some of the malls include Sorya Mall, a western-style mall featuring stores, stalls, and fast food outlets, and a Supermarket. City Mall is another western-style mall featuring 3 floors containing retail stores, electronics, and a supermarket, along with food outlets and a Japanese restaurant. Aeon Mall is the largest western-style mall in the city, featuring a movie theatre, skating rink, food court, and brand name stores covering 4 stories.

Central Market is a major shopping landmark in the city, built in 1937, a huge dome-covered marketplace with four wings. It's the ideal location to grab some food and refuge from the midday sun. The four wings span out from the massive central golden dome and are lined with stalls brimming with everything from flowers to antiques.

The Russian Market is a popular market and recognizable landmark in the city, dating back to the early 80s. A popular place for foreigners, especially the Russians, filled with a maze of alleyways overflowing with colorful market stalls selling everything from CDs, pirated DVDs, fake designer clothing, to handicrafts, silk, and jewelry. There is a large food court brimming with food stalls.

Dining

There are many types of dining options found in the city of Phnom Penh. The capital city is filled with interesting Cambodian culinary delights that can`t be found anywhere else in the country. The city is a foodie haven, boasting an excellent selection of restaurants, street food stalls, and hawker-style dining serving up delicious Khmer-style cooking as well as Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, French, Italian, and Indian dishes. Street food is somewhat of a local delight in the city, with stalls found all over, especially along the riverside and at day and night markets. The downtown area, the bustling riverfront, Boeing Keng Kang, and Sisowath Quay are brimming with restaurants, cafes, and bars serving up delicious, mouthwatering cuisine from all over the world. 

Local delicacies such as duck embryo eggs are sold in the city, chicken claws, grilled pigs' ears, and gizzards are also sold along with other weird and wonderful ingredients. Westernized fast food can also be found in Phnom Penh, including McDonald's and KFC.

Food tours are especially popular in Phnom Penh, led by expert foodies and chefs who take participants to the local markets and hole-in-the-wall restaurants to sample authentic Khmer food and learn about the myriad of dishes on offer. A cooking class is another fun way to learn about the food scene and how to cook delicious Cambodian food. A 3.5-hour class will include a morning trip to the market to pick up fresh produce and other ingredients and use them to create a delightful dish.

Nightlife

The capital city offers partygoers a great selection of bars and clubs, with many establishments located on the riverside behind Sisowath Quay. Clustered around the intersection of Streets 51 and 172, nicknamed `Area 51`, which is also around the Golden Sorya Mall, is a bustling location after midnight. There is a high concentration of bars situated along Streets 104 and 136, and along the bustling riverfront promenade, which is bumping at night. The Boeung Keng Kang boasts a very upmarket, classy vibe with posh cocktail bars lining Bassac Lane. The streets around the Russian market offer a great selection of cocktail bars and other fun bars that host live music, open mic, and comedy nights. There are hostess bars, beer bars, martini bars, and plenty of nightclubs to choose from for a lively night out on the town. Happy Hour is a popular pastime in the city, with places like the Raffles Hotel and the Foreign Correspondents Club offering two-for-one specials. Wednesday night is `Ladies Night`, also offering drink specials and free drinks for the ladies. Karaoke is a big thing in Cambodia, so you can find plenty of karaoke restaurants around the city.