1. Overview of Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is a large city and, at the same time, the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Not only is Phnom Penh the political, economic, and cultural center of Cambodia, but it is also the most famous tourist city and in the country.
Phnom Penh has architectural works imbued with Khmer cultural characteristics. This city has monumental shopping areas to satisfy shopaholics. This city also has a cuisine imbued with the identity of the indigenous people.
The weather in Phnom Penh is divided into two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. But the rainy season in Phnom Penh usually has negligible rainfall, and the hot season is not too harsh, so visitors can rest assured that the weather here will not affect their visit.
2. Things to do in Phnom Penh
2.1. Visiting Tuol Sleng Museum
The Tuol Sleng Museum is a museum showing the genocide of the Khmer Rouge. The museum was once a high school torture center where nearly 17,000 Cambodians were killed.
This place was preserved in its original state when the city was liberated in January 1979. Nearly 6,000 haunting photographs of the labor camps and executions under the Pol Pot regime are displayed here. While not the most exciting, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is an essential part of its history, and you’ll have an emotional experience while you’re there.
- Address: Road 113, Tuol Sleng, Phnom Penh city, Cambodia.
- Open: 7:00 a.m – 17:30 p.m
- Ticket price: about 5 USD/ticket.
2.2. Visiting the Choeung Ek Killing Fields
Choeung Ek Killing Field is located about 15 kilometers from the center of Phnom Penh and takes about 30 minutes by car. This is the place that most clearly shows the genocide of the Khmer Rouge regime that caused the historic Cambodian civil war in the 1970s.
According to some statistics, at Choeung Ek, more than 20,000 people were killed and buried in mass graves. On this death field, a memorial was built containing more than 8,000 skulls of the victims. This memorial was built to commemorate the unfortunate victims of the most brutal genocide in Cambodian history.
- Address: Phnom Penh city, Cambodia
- Open: 7:30 – 17:30
- Ticket price: about 6 USD/ticket
2.3. Admiring the architecture of the royal palace and Silver Pagoda:
Coming to the Royal Palace of Cambodia, you will admire the unique architecture here. This is a complex of buildings and the residence of the King and the Royal Family, so it has attracted many tourists to visit and explore. This site is also the place where Cambodian ceremonies and diplomatic meetings take place.
The Royal Palace of Cambodia is divided into two areas: one is the Emerald Buddha Pagoda (also known as the Silver Pagoda or Golden Pagoda), and the other is the palace where the King lives and works. In particular, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is a temple with a Buddha image encrusted with more than 2000 diamonds and a very famous jade statue.
- Address: Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh City, Cambodia
- Open: 8:00 a.m – 10:30 p.m and 14:00 p.m – 17:00 p.m
- Ticket price: about 6 USD/ticket.
2.4. Seeing Performing Arts:
Cambodian Living Arts popularizes Cambodian living arts like Apsara and Khmer dance and organizes cultural events at the National Museum of Cambodia. The program features live music as well as traditional Cambodian costumes.
- Address: National Museum of Cambodia, Preah Ang Eng Street (13), Phnom Penh Capital, Cambodia
- Open: 19:00 p.m – 20:00 p.m Monday, Wednesday and Weekend.
- Ticket price: 10 USD – 25 USD/ticket
2.5. Visiting Cambodia National Museum
The National Museum of Cambodia is the largest architecture and history museum in the country. It displays the collections, archeology, religion, and art of the Khmer people. Although built during the French colonial period, the red sandstone building is an excellent example of the traditional Khmer architectural style. There are more than 14,000 artifacts on display here, and a guided tour of the museum offers a glimpse into central Cambodia.
- Address: Preah Ang Eng Street (13), Phnom Penh Capital, Cambodia
- Open: 8:00 a.m. – 17:00 p.m
- Ticket price: 3 USD/ticket
2.6. Visiting Phnom Penh’s Independence Monument
Independence Monument is a large architectural work to mark Independence Day, the day when the Cambodian people escaped the yoke of imperialism and colonialism, becoming a completely independent country. The Independence Monument is designed to simulate Angkor Wat and some other historical sites in Cambodia. On major holidays, the monument often holds important ceremonies, so it attracts many visitors.
The monument at night is lit with an emotional symphony of colors. Look at the red, white, and blue floodlights, representing the colors of the Cambodian flag.
2.7. Exploring the ancient capital Oudong
Oudong was the ancient capital of Cambodia between the 17th and 19th centuries. Coming here, visitors will be able to visit ancient historical sites, moss-colored temples, and unspoiled natural landscapes.
Oudong is 43 kilometers north of the center of Phnom Penh. The large temple of Vihear Preah Ath Roes, with its 20-meter-high Buddha image, is the main attraction on the hilltop. Other temples and stupas here date from the 17th century to the modern era. Some of the buildings with the most interesting intricate facade decoration include the Ang Doung stupa, built by King Norodom, and the Mak Proum stupa, built by King Monivong.
2.8. Visiting Wat Phnom
Wat Phnom, a famous traditional Buddhist temple, was built in the early 14th century. The temple includes four Buddha statues and is regularly visited by locals in the area.
Wat Phnom is one of the tallest and most famous temples in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Wat Phnom is an attractive destination for pilgrims when arriving in Phnom Penh; this is the place where concerts, festivals, and Khmer people gather on each traditional Cambodian New Year occasion.
- Address: Phnom Penh city, Cambodia
- Open: 7:00 a.m. – 18:00 p.m
2.9. Shopping experience at Psar Thmei market
Phsar Thmey Market, also known as the central market in Phnom Penh, is a very famous market in Cambodia. Psar Thmei Market was built in 1937 in Art Deco style and dominates downtown Phnom Penh.
When coming here, visitors can also easily buy genuine items with Cambodian cultural identity as gifts for relatives and friends.After shopping, you can go to the food court located on the west side of Phsar Thom Thmei Market. There are a lot of Cambodian specialties and attractive desserts for you to enjoy.
- Address: Road 128, Phnom Penh city, Cambodia.
- Open: 7:00 a.m – 18:00 p.m
2.10. Strolling Sisowath Quay
Sisowath Quay is Phnom Penh’s most popular promenade and is always busy at sunset with pedestrians and joggers. This riverside strip, surrounded by palm trees, stretches north 3 kilometers from the Royal Palace. It’s a great place to see and photograph the boats on the Tonle Sap River.
- Address: Intersection of the Tonle Sap River and Mekong River, Phnom Penh city, Cambodia.
2.11. Taking a sunset cruise on the river in Phnom Penh
River boating in Phnom Penh is the ultimate trip to make your Cambodia vacation memorable! There are regular sunset cruises departing at 17:00 p.m.
The boat will go on the Tonlesap River, the largest natural lake in Southeast Asia (also known as “Sea Lake”). From here, you will also have a view of the sunset covering the whole city of Phnom Penh, which is extremely attractive. A few temples can also be seen from the river. One side of the river also faces Chaktomuk, the confluence of four rivers, where the Mekong, Bassac, and Tonlesap rivers run across to form four confluences.
- Address: Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- Open: 5:00pm-10:00pm
- Ticket price: 3.75 USD – 6 USD/ticket.
2.11. Shopping at the Russian market
Phnom Penh’s bustling and lively Russian Market blends in with local life and also creates some great shopping opportunities. The market’s real name is Psar Tuol Tom Pong, but it got this nickname due to the number of foreign Russians residing in Phnom Penh who used to shop here.
The Russian market has diverse and rich goods. This is the ideal place for many tourists to discover food and shop for clothes or souvenirs, including local wooden handicrafts and beautifully crafted Cambodian silk, etc.
- Address: corner of street 163 and road 444, Phnom Penh city, Cambodia
- Open: 6:00 a.m – 16:30 p.m
- Tel: (+85) 15222930
2.12. Enjoying dinner at The Vibe Cafe
This is the only completely vegan restaurant in the Cambodian capital. The restaurant is located in a trendy location with chic interiors and patio seating, so it’s a great place to have dinner if you’re in Phnom Penh.
- Address: Street 446 26A, Russian Market, Phnom Penh city, Cambodia.
- Open: 7:30 a.m – 21:00 p.m
- Tel: (+85) 561 764 937
- Reference price: 2 USD – 15 USD/piece.
2.13. Visiting rice fields and Mekong island by bicycle:
This bike adventure You’ll explore the beautiful rice fields, idyllic countryside, and quaint traditional villages of Cambodia, famous for their lemongrass, banana, ginger, and corn meadows. You will visit silk weaving houses, where you will have the opportunity to wear a scarf that you can see being made in vintage style by hand.
Out of the city by bicycle, you will encounter the real life and real culture of Khmer people living on Mekong Island. Connect with a local artisan when you visit a silk weaving workshop and experience a local lunch in Khmer villages.
A trip price of 49 USD per person.
2.14. Experiencing Cambodian cuisine in Phnom Penh
Coming to Phnom Penh will be more wonderful when you enjoy the food here; each dish you will experience is extremely interesting. You should definitely try some famous dishes such as deep-fried dishes from worms, Num Pang bread, Nom Banh Chok noodles, fish amok, Num Plae Ai, Bai Sach Chrouk, Mi Char fried noodles, and noodle soup. Nam Vang, etc.
3. Conclusion
Hopefully, the sharing of the article about interesting things to do in Phnom Penh provides you with useful information for your trip to Phnom Penh. Metta Voyage wishes you a happy tour and great experiences.
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