Phnom Penh, the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a charming city. Being the combination of Asian features, the elegance of Indochina land and the hospitality of Cambodians, Phnom Penh puts strong impression on tourists at the first look.
QUICK FACTS:
- Location: Located on the banks of the Mekong River
- Status: the nation’s center of economic and industrial activities, the center of security, politics, cultural heritage, and diplomacy of
- Cambodia. Population: 2,301,725
- Area: 678.46 square kilometers
- Religions: Buddhism Known as the “Pearl of Asia”
- Well-known for many beautiful and historical architecture and attractions
- The wealthiest and most populous city in Cambodia and is the country’s political hub.
Located on the meeting points of three big rivers: Bassac, Mekong and Tonle Sap, Phnom Penh is also called as “four-river-surrounded city” (Chatomuk). Phnom Penh is not also the capital but also political, economic and cultural center of Cambodia. With the total are of about 678.46 square kilometers and the population of about 2 millions people, Phnom Penh is the largest city in Cambodia. It is a nice French-built city with long history since 1434. This city is named after the present hill temple (Wat Phnom) and a lady who is thought to be the founder of this land – Lady Penh. Phnom Penh is the gate way to many holy lands of Cambodia: Angkor Complex in the West, white sand beaches of Sihanouk Villa in the South, Rattanakiri and Mondolkiri forest in the Northeast, and a variety of unexploited lands, remote villages and ruined temples around the country. All places are waiting for tourists’ exploration. Phnom Penh has many cultural and historical sites such as: the stunning Royal Palace, splendid Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Wat Phnom, Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. Besides, there are many other tourist attractions located outside the capital, such as: the citadel of Oudong, the ruins of Angkor era in Phnom Chisor, Phnom Da, eco-tourism area of Tonle Bati and a really nice golf course located in the neighboring province of Kampong Speu. Phnom Penh always welcome all visitors with a wealth of services, ranging from 5 star hotels to budget motels, a few top restaurants in Southeast Asia, bars, clubs a crowded shopping centers, traditional markets which selling nice silk, handicrafts and souvenirs, galleries and boutiques in different styles. With stunning architectural complex, a variety of services and friendly people, Phnom Penh is one of the best cities as well as the most attractive destinations in Southeast Asia Best time to visit Phnom Penh Phnom Penh characterizes an eclectic blend of Asian Exotica, unique Cambodian hospitality and irresistible Indochinese charisma. Visitors can opt to travel this beguiling travel destination at any point of the year though the very best times for visiting Phnom Penh are typically during the months of December and January when the weather is perfect. Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia as well as the commercial, political and economic hub of the country. The town is built at the converging point of four rivers and it reflects a temperate tropical climate. The rainy season which last from May to October is comparatively hotter in this location than the dry season which is a little cooler falling between November and April. There is very little variation however, in the daily average temperature levels in Phnom Penh across all the months of the year. During the monsoon season there are varying levels of rainfall but they contain mostly of showers instead of rain storms. During the peak rainy season from May to September travelers are advised to plan their daily itineraries avoiding being out during mid-afternoon when the town is more likely to experience short but intense spells of rain. However, the rainy season is not taken out of the recommended time for travelling Phnom Penh as during this time the countryside is especially beautiful with an abundance of greenery in every nook and corner. From February to March the temperature levels are high with uncomfortable humidity
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Attractions
Sambor Prei Kuk
Cambodia’s most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments, Sambor Prei Kuk encompasses more than 100 mainly brick temples huddled in the forest, among them some of the oldest structures in the country. To the delight of Cambodians, the attraction recently became the country’s third Unesco World Heritage Site. Originally called Isanapura, the site served as the […]
Old Market ( Phsar Chas)
Old Market (Phsar Chas) is a local market that is not at all geared to the tourist. It carries such items as fruits and vegetable, second hand cloths, hardware, motorcycle parts and religious items. In the late afternoon food vendors and fruit sellers set up mats along Street 13 in preparation for the evening market. […]
Chhrouy Chek
Chhrouy Chek is a name of the place that was built for stocking water to irrigate the rice fields. Its beautiful flora and water sources have made it a popular location for Kampong Cham dwellers to visit, especiallly on weekends and holidays. Young people in particular enjoy swimming there. The site is about 15 kilometers […] Sambo Prey Kuk
Sambo Preykuk is a cultural and historical site located in Sambo village, Sambo commune, Prasat Sambo district, about 25 kilometers northeast of Kampong Thom provincial town. The site was once an old capital named Isanapura and a religious center for the worship of Shiva Brahmanism. Many temples were built in Sambo Preykuk during the reign […]
Toul Sleng Genocidal Museum (S-21)
In 1975, Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21); it soon became the largest centre of detention and torture in the country. S-21 has been turned into the Tuol Sleng museum, which serves as a testament to the […]
Silver Pagoda
Overview of Silver Pagoda Phnom Penh The Silver Pagoda Phnom Penh sits next to the Royal Palace, separated by a walled walkway, but within the same larger walled compound. The Silver Pagoda’s proper name is Wat Preah Keo Morokat, which means ‘The Temple of the Emerald Buddha,’ but has received the common moniker ‘Silver Pagoda’ […]
Royal Palace
Overview of Royal Palace Phnom Penh Situated on the site of the former Citadel, it was built by King Norodom in 1866 on the banks of the Mekong River. Inside its gleaming yellow walls are the Throne Hall; the Chan Chaya Pavilion, specially made for performances of classical Cambodian dance; the Napoleon III Pavilion, offered […]
Ounalom Pagoda
This wat is the headquarters of Cambodian Buddhism. It was founded in 1443 and comprises 44 structures. It received a battering during the Pol Pot era, but today the wat has come back to life. The head of the country’s Buddhist brotherhood lives here, along with a large number of monks. On the 2nd floor […]
Old Market ( Phsar Chas)
Old Market (Phsar Chas) is a local market that is not at all geared to the tourist. It carries such items as fruits and vegetable, second hand cloths, hardware, motorcycle parts and religious items. In the late afternoon food vendors and fruit sellers set up mats along Street 13 in preparation for the evening market. […]
Independence Monument
An Angkorian style tower, the inimitable place in the whole city, located in the heart of the capital. It was built in 1958 to Sybilles Cambodian Independence Day after winning back their independence from the French protectorate on the 9th of November 1953. The monument attracts many tourists for its peculiar looking but unique style […]
Central Market (Phsar Thmei)
A landmark building in the capital, the art-deco Psar Thmei (literally ‘New Market’) is often called the Central Market, a reference to its location and size. The huge domed hall resembles a Babylonian ziggurat and some claim it ranks as one of the 10 largest domes in the world. The design allows for maximum ventilation, […]
