Domestic
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh’s travel highlights include the thriving art scene, culinary experiences and stunning examples of architecture. The walkable riverfront is lined with parks, restaurants and bars, and you’ll also discover the ornate Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda here. Phnom Penh has a French colonial heritage, and the French influence is evident in the open-fronted shophouses lining the streets and several monuments.
Riverside - Sisowath Quay and around Sisowath Quay is a real tourist hub.
Sisowath Quay runs north and south of the centre, and it is lined with tall palms on one side, and bars, cafés and restaurants on the other. It is always lively, and in the evening it is the city’s social centre. You’ll discover food vendors and an atmospheric night market at the northern end by the tourist docks. Here, numerous boat companies offer sunset cruises along the Tonle Sap, or boats can be rented along the shore.
The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
Set back from the riverbank on Sothearos Boulevard, stands the Royal Palace and adjacent Silver Pagoda. Arguably the most impressive of the city’s attractions, The Royal Palace is well worth a visit for its classic Khmer architecture, its ornate gilding and its tranquil French landscaped gardens. The Silver Pagoda is also well known for its elaborate silver-tiled floor and priceless Buddha statues.
Boeung Keng Kang (BKK)
Boeung Keng Kang, or BKK, is a neighbourhood that’s popular with ex-pats and it’s also home to an increasing number of stylish hotels, bars and restaurants. It’s located south of the Independence Monument. Here you’ll find embassies and UN and NGO offices.
Eating in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is filled with Cambodian culinary delights
There are a plethora of street stalls where you can fill up on noodle dishes, filled baguettes and fruit shakes. You can also find a good selection of street food vendors at the riverside and night market.
The bustling riverfront and Sisowath Quay are lined with cafés, restaurants and bars serving cuisine from all over the world. Boeung Keng Kang is also packed with swish cafes, restaurants and bars. The restaurants are reasonably priced, and many visitors end up lingering in Phnom Penh for the restaurant scene.
Shopping in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh has several lively and colourful markets to visit. Here you can shop for clothes and souvenirs to your heart’s content, but you may not have time to visit all of the markets. Try the Russian market, which is at the southern end of town; it has an array of jewellery, gems, ethical crafts, food, Khmer souvenirs and more. The markets are liveliest in the morning, and things wind down by 5 pm. From 5 pm you can visit the night market down by the riverside. It has a mixture of clothes and food. There are also several shopping malls around the city.
How to get there:
Phom Penh can be reached by either domestic flights, international flights or overland and speedboat from neighbouring provinces and countries. Phnom Penh is a fairly easy city to get around. Though traffic is getting more congested these days, you can still travel the length of the city in less than 40 minutes.