Phnom Penh

Cambodia

Asia

Destinations

Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia. Cambodia is similar in some respects to the neighboring country of Thailand, yet drastically different in other ways. Similarities include some cuisine, the climate and weather, and ubiquitous tuk-tuks. Phnom Penh is an ideal introduction to Cambodia.

Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia, in Asia. Cambodia is similar in some respects to the neighboring country of Thailand, yet drastically different in other ways. Similarities include some cuisine, the climate and weather, and ubiquitous tuk-tuks. However Cambodia has had a much darker history than its bordering countries, and the scars are still visible today. Phnom Penh and the surrounding area is an ideal introduction to Cambodia and a base from which to explore.
<h2>1. City Life</h2>
Phnom Penh means Hill of Penh, named for a woman named Daun Penh. The legend says she discovered statues of the Buddha inside a tree floating in the River. Penh built a shrine to house the relic she found, and the city grew up around the shrine. Today you can visit the site now known as Wat Phnom.

Phnom Penh is an interesting city to explore. As well as the expected Buddist temples there are many architectural beauties from the French Colonial era. Find the stylish Raffles Le Royal, established in 1929. The hotel welcomed the likes of W. Somerset Maugham, Charles de Gaulle, and Charlie Chaplin and it's a pleasant spot for a drink today.

For something more modern, go to Legend Cinemas. The theater shows Western movies for $3 USD and sometimes 3D films for $4 USD.

[caption id="attachment_1020265" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1016753058-1024x614.jpg" alt="phnom penh city landscape" width="1024" height="614" /> mustafaerden / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Rural Lifestyles</h2>
Phnom Penh is a small city with plenty of green spaces. Cambodian people spend lots of time outdoors. The waterfront is lovely for a morning walk and you can see watch tai chi practitioners going through their movements with fans.

For more rural lifestyles, 20 minutes outside of Phnom Penh, the city flows into lush countryside. Life in the fishing villages and rice fields seems untouched by time. Children play with homemade drums made out tin cans, a sack, and chopsticks. People cook the traditional way, grinding rice flour by hand. Fishing is equal parts net and bamboo traps. Houses are built on high stilts to raise them above the regular flooding of Cambodia’s rivers. Floating houses drift along the rivers sailed by traders selling right from the boats.

[caption id="attachment_1020266" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/950235960-1024x683.jpg" alt="cambodia phnom countryside rural" width="1024" height="683" /> Kylie Nicholson / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. A Base To Explore Angkor</h2>
Phnom Penh is not the most popular tourist destination in Cambodia. The ruins of Angkor Wat near the city of Siem Reap are the main reason people travel to Cambodia. However, Siem Reap itself doesn't have much to offer tourists, and for that reason, many holidaymakers use Phnom Penh as a base traveling out to Angkor Wat from there.

The ruins of Angkor Wat are an extensive complex of temples and buildings which have been reclaimed by the forest. You will probably recognize the site from numerous films and documentaries. Today it is a protected UNESCO World Heritage site, yet tourists have a surprising amount of freedom to explore and clamber around the complex.

[caption id="attachment_1020267" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/818900724-1024x671.jpg" alt="Angkor Wat explore cambodia phnom penh" width="1024" height="671" /> pigphoto / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Unusual Food</h2>
Cambodian cuisine is not famous around the world, but it shares many flavors with neighboring Thai food. You can eat well for little cash in Phnom Penh. Food carts line the streets, and you could easily spend the day nibbling corn cob, slurping noodles, or eating fresh fruit. That's not all, however. Try the fried tarantulas, the boiled frogs or and grasshoppers at one of the markets. The unusual food provides a great travel story when you come home, and they are rather tasty.

The recently immigrated Chinese and Vietnamese populations have also left their mark. You can find Chinese noodles and Vietnamese spring rolls everywhere.

The days of colonial Indochina means there are many French recipes in Phnom Penh, but they have subtly changed over the years to give a uniquely Cambodian feel. The chocolate croissants are particularly lovely.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1020299" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/GettyImages-6102288581.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" />

hwaleuk / Getty Images


<h2>5. Tuol Sleng and Cheoung Ek Museums</h2>
While it does not make for a cheery trip, a visit to Tuol Sleng is a must. A whole generation of educated people were wiped out during the Khmer Rouge which has repercussions up to this day. Situated in the middle of Phnom Penh the former school was turned into a torture camp. The camp was left as it was found when liberated, complete with torture devices and photos of the thousands of victims.

A visit to Cheoung Ek 15 km from the city is another must-visit. The mass burial site is known in the west as The Killing Fields. A shocking display of thousands of skulls and bones sits in a peaceful garden with flowers. It's easy to forget what happened here, but if you look down when walking around you will likely see bones and tattered clothes that are the remains of victims eroding through the soil.

[caption id="attachment_1020269" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/171266105-1024x683.jpg" alt="travel genocide phnom penh museum" width="1024" height="683" /> _laurent / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Welcoming People</h2>
Cambodian people are warm and welcoming. You would be forgiven for expecting a country with such a violent recent past to have a sensitive population suspicious of outsiders, but this is not the case. The citizens of Phnom Penh are eager to welcome visitors. Partially this is because income tourism generates is a vital part of the economy. But, it's also the nature of the locals to be hospitable to guests.

Cambodians are more reserved than Thai people and are more likely to know smatterings of French than English. They are pleased people want to travel to Cambodia to visit the extraordinary wonders of their country - of which they feel very proud.

[caption id="attachment_1020270" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/471923047-1024x676.jpg" alt="local people travel cambodia phnom" width="1024" height="676" /> joakimbkk / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Indochina History Everywhere</h2>
From 1863 the French ruled Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia forming what was called Indochina. The French planned to make Phnom Penh into a provincial French town. The architects did a great job, and Phnom Penh was known as the Pearl of Asia during the heydays of Indochina in the 1920s.

While Cambodia is now independent, remains of French colonization are everywhere. Brightly colored French style buildings like the Post Office at Wat Phnom. Many buildings have shutters and ornate balconies that are reminiscent of Paris. And the food in Phnom Penh has a distinctly French flavor. French baguettes are sold on nearly every street corner as sandwiches.

Visit the French Cultural Center, which has a vast French library, plays French films, and arranges showings in French by performers from around the world.

[caption id="attachment_1020271" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1013126144-1024x683.jpg" alt="french indochina explore tourism" width="1024" height="683" /> Em Campos / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Help Make Phnom Penh Even Better</h2>
Cambodia has about 4000 aid organizations who are helping to right the wrongs of the past. Tourists can help too, and yet still feel like they are on holiday. For example, a few restaurants linked with Friends International serve a traditional dish of stir-fried beef with basil, and... red tree ants. Brave tourists pay money for the meal that goes to a good cause and earn bragging rights forever - if they can finish the food. There are also beautifully made souvenirs from Nyemo, an organization which helps vulnerable women and their children. And perhaps most famously, there are several schools which were set up to help children affected by the leftover landmines that still around today. Some people arrange to teach while on holiday or even pay a small entrance fee to see their collection of disarmed landmines. All the money goes towards the children.

[caption id="attachment_1020272" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1130474682-1024x932.jpg" alt="cambodia landmine museum help phnom" width="1024" height="932" /> tbradford / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Affordable Pampering</h2>
Phnom Penh has some of the best value massages in the region. The massages are far cheaper than in Thailand and a different style than in Vietnam. The city has plenty of options. There are luxury treatments in fancy hotels such as Raffles, and smaller but charming boutiques run by locals where an hour of aromatherapy massage will set you back around $10 USD.

Perhaps the best massages are those on small huts beside the streets or even open air during dry weather. Find out where the locals go, and that's sure to be a sign of affordable but quality massages.

[caption id="attachment_1020273" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/182478828-1024x681.jpg" alt="phnom massage travel experience" width="1024" height="681" /> NightAndDayImages / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Shop At Colorful Markets</h2>
The city of Phnom Penh is not a magnet for shopping addicts because although items are quite cheap, there isn't much variety. But wandering around the Phnom Penh market is still fascinating. Expect to find stalls of colorful fruit, local delicacies to eat, clothes and trinks to buy - all provide photographic possibilities for visitors.

The most exciting market is the New Market locals call Phsar Thmey in the city center. This art deco market was revamped recently and looks brilliant. The interior stalls are more authentic with fresh ingredients where locals buy their groceries, gold and jewelry shops, and stalls with bolts colorful of silk.

[caption id="attachment_1020274" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/171314251-1024x680.jpg" alt="cambodia phnom market travel" width="1024" height="680" /> tbradford / Getty Images[/caption]

What to Do In Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Cambodia has become known as the “Kingdom of Wonder,” and it’s easy to see why. The stunning landscape is diverse with lakes, rivers, mountains and lush tropical forests.

Cambodia has become known as the “Kingdom of Wonder,” and it’s easy to see why. The stunning landscape is diverse with lakes, rivers, mountains and lush tropical forests. On the coast are some of the most beautiful and idyllic beaches in the world. Cambodia’s rich history is evident in the thousands of temples scattered throughout the country. No visit is complete without seeing Angkor Wat, the most famous temple complex of all. But if you are a traveler who likes to get off the beaten track, Cambodia offers an array of hidden gems for you to explore.
<h2>1. Feel Like a Tomb Raider at Ta Prohm</h2>
If you have seen <i>Tomb Raider</i> than you will recognize Ta Prohm. It’s the only temple complex in the Angkor region virtually left untouched since discovery. Massive roots of strangler figs and silk-cotton trees wind through the structure creating an awe-inspiring merger between nature and architecture.

As well as exploring the labyrinth of corridors, nooks, and crannies, be sure to check out the dinosaur carving in a quiet corner of the complex. It’s believed that Ta Prohm construction began in the 12th century. Does the carving tell us that the dinosaurs lived more recently than previously thought? It’s not just Lara Croft who gets to solve mysteries of the past!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1126450013-1024x683.jpg" alt="ta phrom temple dinosaur" width="1024" height="683" /> Omer Serkan Bakir / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. The Killing Caves</h2>
Phnom Sampeau’s Killing Caves are a thing of beauty that witnessed unspeakable atrocities. At the top of the cave is a natural skylight. The Khmer Rouge would line people up, bludgeoned them and let their bodies fall into the chasm below. Today, a huge gold reclining Buddha overlooks shrines containing the remains of men, women, and children who lost their lives. The pilgrimage to the Killing Caves is a truly humbling experience that puts life into perspective.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1021476246-1024x684.jpg" alt="khmer rouge killing caves sampeau" width="1024" height="684" /> Arjay Agustin Photography / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Cambodia's Bat Cave</h2>
After visiting the Killing Caves, it's a short walk to another jaw-dropping sight. As the sun sets, witness the amazing spectacle of millions of bats emerge from the Battambang cave network.

The sheer size of the bat population means that the mass exodus can last for 30 or 40 minutes. It’s incredible watching the small black animals appear to paint the sky. You can choose to view the bat spectacular from a safe distance. But if you are feeling adventurous, hire a local guide to take you to the mouth of the cave. Somehow the bats avoid touching you as they rush past. The whole experience is a pure adrenaline rush.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/932802972-1024x684.jpg" alt="battambang bat cave" width="1024" height="684" /> fotoember / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Travel by Bamboo Train</h2>
If you are looking for a slightly different mode of transport to see Cambodia, try traveling by "norry," the Bamboo Train.

Cambodian railway was always in a sorry state. Few trains ran. Tracks were missing or warped. Eventually, services stopped completely. This made way for the bamboo train as a way to transport passengers, livestock and produce between small villages.

A metal undercarriage supports a queen-sized platform which is then placed on wheels. It's not the most comfortable way to travel. But moving along at 30 miles per hour with some chickens and local Cambodians, it's a fun journey to take.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/946261018-1024x564.jpg" alt="norry bamboo train" width="1024" height="564" /> chriss73 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. The Torture Museum</h2>
In Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh, a former school houses Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Under the Khmer Rouge, this high-school became a high-security prison. Inmates faced terrible conditions. They were shackled, forbidden to speak with each other and received constant beatings and torture. Prisoners often underwent water-boarding, electric shocks and were burnt with hot irons.

Today the prison is a monument to the brutality suffered by the Cambodian people. Former cells and torture chambers are lined with thousands of photos of those who met there end within their walls. A map of Cambodia has been created entirely from human skulls.

Tuol Sleng will provide you with some understanding of Cambodia’s gruesome history.

[caption id="attachment_1019165" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1019165" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/GettyImages-186657927-1-1024x678.jpg" alt="tuol sleng torture museum genocide" width="1024" height="678" /> kiwisoul / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Yeak Laom Lake</h2>
Yeak Laom lake is an almost perfect circle formed by a volcanic eruption. Crystal clear water surrounded by lush green forest. During and after the rainy season, butterflies and exotic birds make Yeak Laom their home.

Tracks and wooden planks circle the shoreline connecting five small villages. While walking around the lake, take a break with a quick dip in the refreshing water.

To protect the picturesque Yeak Laom, the state has banned the use of detergents along with the more bizarre rules of no gambling or having arguments!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/955997972-1024x683.jpg" alt="yeak laom lake birds" width="1024" height="683" /> Karin de Mamiel / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. River of Fertility</h2>
Hidden in the Cambodian jungle, is the mysterious Kbal Spean. Referred to as the “Valley of a 1,000 Lingas”, this river flows over intricately carved fertility symbols. The 1,000 lingas is a reference to low carved circles that are phallic symbols representing godly power. There are also carvings to represent yoni, the female equivalent.

It is not just the carvings that should tempt you to visit Kabel Spean. The region looks like somewhere Indiana Jones would explore. Rock formations, waterfalls, and strange cryptic symbols give the feeling of being on a true adventure of discovery.

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<h2>8. Cambodia Landmine Museum</h2>
Landmines planted by the Khmer Rouge are still killing people in Cambodia today. One man, Aki Ra, went from being a member of the Khmer Rouge and laying landmines, to making it his mission to disarm them. He rid his home village and other communities of mines using little more than a stick and army knife.

With the landmines Aki Ra collected, he established the Landmine Museum. Mines, mortars, guns and other weaponry make up the exhibits. There is also a mock minefield where you can attempt to locate deactivated mines.

All proceeds from the museum go toward continuing the cleanup and providing shelter and support to children. Aki Ra is a man on a mission to give a future of hope to kids orphaned or injured by landmines.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/155401916-1024x681.jpg" alt="landmines museum orphans khmer rouge" width="1024" height="681" /> AmandaLewis / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Ream National Park</h2>
If temples are not your thing, Cambodia definitely has much more to offer you. Ten miles outside of the touristy Sihanoukville you will find the Ream National Park. Its un-spoilt white-sand beaches are virtually deserted. Thick jungle offers some great trekking opportunities. And you can take boat trips through the mangroves.

The park is also home to a vast array of wildlife. One hundred fifty-five species of birds nest here, including the endangered white-bellied sea eagle and the Brahminy Kite. If you are lucky, you may get a glimpse of sun bears, fishing cats, gibbons, and the scaly pangolin anteater. Ream National Park is a stunning part of Cambodia still untouched by tourism.

[caption id="attachment_1019170" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1019170" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/GettyImages-465023547-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="ream park pangolin beach wildlife" width="1024" height="683" /> Donyanedomam / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Get Back to Basics on Rabbit Island</h2>
If you are looking for a place to escape, spend some time on Koh Tonsay, or Rabbit Island. The island has no electricity which also means no Wi-Fi! You will be totally off-grid.

Spend your days chilling in a hammock or kicking around a football with the local kids. Chat with the locals, play cards. Do whatever it is people did before smartphones.

Ramshackle accommodation and restaurant shacks are few and far between. You may have to fish for your own dinner. Rabbit Island is a beautiful, rustic place which will take you right back to basics.

[caption id="attachment_1019174" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1019174" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/GettyImages-892083656-1-1024x680.jpg" alt="koh tonsay rabbit island beach" width="1024" height="680" /> OlivierGuiberteau / Getty Images[/caption]

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