Phnom Penh
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Located in the south-central region of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is surrounded by Kandal Province and is the country’s capital city. The city sits on the banks of the Tonle Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers and is a bustling center full of rich Khmer history and culture, but also includes remnants of France’s colonial past.
Please note that Phnom Penh, and Cambodia in general, has seen a huge increase in development since my visit in 2014 and information on this guide may be a tad outdated.
Travel tip #1: Although Cambodian Riel (KHR) is the primary currency, the US Dollar (USD) is the defacto form of currency in Cambodia. ATMs usually dispense USD, which you can use for most purchases. Change is typically given in USD and then the “change” in Riel. Riel is best used for smaller purchases, like at convenience stores or mom-and-pop shops.
Places of Interest
Royal Palace: The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh is a complex of buildings that serve as the royal residence of the king of Cambodia. Its full name in Khmer is Preah Barum Reachea Veang Chaktomuk Serei Mongkol (ព្រះបរមរាជវាំងចតុមុខសិរីមង្គល). It sits along the Mekong River riverfront. Tours are held daily and can be paid for at the front gate.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: In 1975, Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot’s forces. It was turned into Security Prison 21 (S-21) and it became the largest detention and torture center under the Khmer Rouge Regime. S-21 is now the site of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where you can learn about the atrocities committed by Pol Pot’s forces. Please note that this is a difficult place to tour and you must be mentally prepared to enter the museum. Tours are offered in many languages. I did not take any photos inside the museum, but photos are permitted in certain areas.
Psar Thmei: Also known as the Central Market, is a large indoor and outdoor market that sells a variety of goods. This is a great place to buy souvenirs from your trip, jewelry, scarves, or pick up some cheap “name brand” items.
Wat Phnom: This Buddhist temple sits atop a small hill in the city center. Regarded as the most important temple in Phnom Penh, Wat Phnom is a historical site and a must-visit if you’re in the capital. Wat Phnom is located in the northern part of Phnom Penh near the Tonle Sap River.
Tonle Sap River and Lake: Tonle Sap River lines the edge of Phnom Penh while the Lake stretches almost all the way from Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat. These water features provide water for half of Cambodia’s crops and are important transportation links in the country. Tonle Sap Lake is connected to the Mekong River by the Tonle Sap River, which feeds and feeds from the Mekong River.
Psar Reatrey: Commonly referred to as the Phnom Penh Night Market, this weekend market divides the city’s downtown and northern areas. There are tons of stalls selling shirts and souvenir items, as well as local bands performing. The highlight is the food stall area, where in the center of the stalls you can sit down on straw mats amongst the locals while enjoying your food—chili sauce and tissues are complimentary. The night market is only open Friday through Sunday and closes around 10 pm.
Travel tip #2: Tuk-tuks—motorbike-drawn carriages—are a main form of transportation in Cambodia. It’s relatively cheap, but price usually increases with distance. To get around Phnom Penh, I would recommend using tuk-tuk.
Food
Psar Kandal: The Kandal Market (“Psar Kandal”) is Phnom Penh’s riverfront fresh market that offers more than just fruits, veggies, and meats. Amongst the alleyways, you’ll find hair salons, places to get your nails done, and even small jewelry shops. This is where many locals go, so you won’t find too many tourists here. I would advise to not eat the food that has been sitting out, but to go for a dish that’s prepared in front of you, such as pan-fried noodles.
Tonle Khmer Roof Top Restaurant: Located along Sisowath Quay, this rooftop bar is the highest floor of the Sinh Foo Guesthouse. This is a great place to go for evening drinks to enjoy the sunset over the river.
Angkor Beer: The beer of Cambodia, which is served almost everywhere and is about $0.50 USD per glass at most places. The beer is literally cheaper than water sometimes!
Street Food: Grilled street foods are some of the best things out there while traveling, especially when traveling on a budget. My favorite in Cambodia was grilled frog legs! Go for street foods that are thoroughly cooked and have come fresh off the grill, this will help from getting sick. Avoid street food that has been sitting out, especially if it’s uncovered.
Travel tip #2: Cambodian, or Khmer, food is unique in flavor due to certain herbs and spices commonly used in the dishes. Slok ngor, a local herb with subtly bitter flavor, gives fish amok it’s signature flavor, while kroeung is an aromatic paste used in many soups and stews. I recommend trying different Cambodian dishes through cooking classes, which are offered throughout the city.
Accommodation
The various small hotels and guesthouses among Phnom Penh’s riverfront are reasonably priced. Most of these guesthouses are typical Southeast Asian shophouses, where the daytime shop or restaurant is on the first floor and the living spaces or guesthouse rooms are above. Staying along the riverfront is best for safety purposes.
My friends and I stayed at a small guesthouse off the main riverfront street for about $8 USD per night. The rooms were spacious, included air conditioners, and the bathrooms were very clean. We found this gem on booking.com.
Climate
Cambodia has a warm, tropical climate year around with two distinct seasons: wet and dry. Rainy, wet weather occurs May to November while dry season runs from December through April. The best weather is during December and January, which is peak season to visit Cambodia. After January, temperatures steadily rise and can easily reach 40+ degrees Celsius in May and June—these are by far the hottest months with the most humidity. Rain begins in June with heavier levels of precipitation experienced between September and October.
Travel tip #4: Near the end of dry season, petty theft and crime typically increase throughout the country as many people rely on crop production for income. Be aware of the time of year you visit any country, and how this can impact social and economic issues.