Phnom Penh
Cambodia’s capital city
Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s capital and largest city. Its name means “Hill of Penh”, after the hill on which Wat Phnom stands.
The city is a mixture of modern high rise buildings, traditional Khmer buildings and French colonial architecture. Located on the banks of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, Phnom Penh is a city with Buddhist temples, markets, the Royal Palace and other attractions.
Phnom Penh attractions
Standing on the banks of the Tonle Sap river, the ornate Khmer style buildings of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda are among Phnom Penh’s main attractions. Next to the palace stands the National Museum of Cambodia, which exhibits one of the largest collections of Khmer art in the world.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, one of the killing fields, are a grim reminder of the horrors of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime. The old center of the city houses beautiful Buddhist temples like the Wat Botum and the hilltop Wat Phnom.
Diamond Island
Diamond Island or Koh Pich is an island in the Mekong river just South of the Royal Palace. Also known as “little Paris”, Koh Pich is a new part of town with Parisian style buildings and a copy of the Arc de Triomphe. The walking promenade offers great views of the river and the sunset.
Koh Pich area of Phnom Penh
Sisowath Quay
The riverside boulevard Sisowath Quay is a nice place to relax and enjoy the river views. Directly behind the boulevard are restaurants and bars.
Walk up Sisowath Quay to get to some of Phnom Penh’s attractions like the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom and the night market.
Colonial era buildings
Phnom Penh houses French colonial buildings from the 19th to mid 20th century, when Cambodia was a French protectorate. Unfortunately many have been torn down to make way for new high rise buildings. Most of the remaining buildings are in the downtown area near the river.
Royal Railway station
A grand white building, the Royal Railway station was built in 1932 and completely restored in 2010. It is located just West of the center of town.
Central Market
The Psar Thmei (central market) has a large central dome with four limbs extending from it. The art deco building was constructed in 1937, designed by French architect Jean Desbois. It has recently been renovated.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal
The Raffles Hotel le Royal was designed by French architect Ernest Hébrard. It opened its doors in 1929. It was renovated and reopened as a five star luxury hotel in 1997. The hotel is on Daun Penh Avenue, just West of Wat Phnom.
Cambodia Post building
The Cambodia Post building is a grand two story building in light yellow color. The neo classical architecture building was designed by French architect Daniel Fabré in 1895. You will find the Cambodia Post building on Street 13, between Wat Phnom and the river.
Markets
Around Phnom Penh are many outdoor and indoor markets. Watch local people going about their daily lives, do some shopping or try some local street food. Many markets sell fake watches and brand clothes. Try your haggling skills to get a good price. A good place to start is the night market, an open air market on Sisowath Quay along the Tonle Sap river.
Central Market
The Central Market or “Psar Thmei” is a large yellow Art Deco style structure with a 26 meter high dome. Vendors sell fashion, accessories, shoes, souvenirs, jewelry, knick knacks and lots of fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers and meat. It’s also a good place for cheap Cambodian street food. Central Market is located on Calmette Street (Street 53). It closes at 5 pm.
Orussey Market
Another large covered market with stalls on narrow passageways, Orussey market is where Cambodian people come to buy vegetables, fruits, meat, fish and spices in bulk. Vendors also sell electronics, toys, clothing and beauty products. Orussey market is located on the corner of Street 166 and Street 141.
Russian Market
The Russian market, in Khmer “Psar Toul Tom Poung”, got its name from the Russians that shopped here in the 1980’s. A large market with stalls on both sides of narrow aisles, Psar Toul Tom Poung is a great place to go souvenir and gift shopping for items as handicrafts, jewelry, sculptures and silk. You will also find brand name clothing here. Some of it is real, produced in local factories. Clothing with small faults are sold at large discounts. Cheap local food is available at the small food court.
The Russian market is located on the intersection of Street 440 and Street 163, South West of the city center.
Shopping Malls
If you want to get out of the heat for a while, go to one of the air conditioned Western style shopping malls.
Sorya Center Point Mall
This mall sells mainly clothing, electronics, toys, beauty products and jewelry. For cheap local food, go to the large food court called Cambodian Flavor Court. If you prefer Western food, go to the Pizza Company, Auntie Anne’s or Swensen’s. Sorya Center Point Mall is located on Rue Pasteur (Street 51), a few hundred meters South of the Central Market.
Aeon Mall
Aeon Mall is Phnom Penh’s newest and largest shopping mall. The four story Western style mall hosts brand name fashion stores, a large supermarket, a move Cineplex, a play area for children and a food court. Aeon Mall is located on Samdach Sothearos Boulevard (Street 3) opposite Koh Pich. It opens daily from 9 am until 10 pm.
Getting to Phnom Penh
Get to Phnom Penh by air, taxi, bus or minivan.
By air
Phnom Penh international airport is located at about 12 kilometers from the city center. The airport is served by various airlines that offer flights from among others Bangkok, Singapore, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Taxi, bus or minivan
From Siem Reap: Distance between the two cities is about 320 kilometers. A taxi will take about five hours, a bus between six and seven hours. Rates start at about US$ 10 for a one way trip.
From Bangkok: The distance between Bangkok and Phnom Penh is about 700 kilometers. A bus will take about 13 hours.
Buy tickets online
Check out all alternatives and details and buy tickets online at the 12Go website.
Getting around
Getting around Phnom Penh is easy. Stop a tuk tuk, taxi or cyclo on the street or use one of the apps like PassApp or Grab.
Check Getting around Phnom Penh for prices, tips and tricks and how to get a tuk tuk, taxi or cyclo.