Friday, March 22, 2024
Phnom Penh Travel Guide - Travel S Helper

Phnom Penh

travel guide

Cambodia’s capital and biggest city is Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh, located on the banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, has been Cambodia’s national capital since French colonization and has grown to become the nation’s center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the nation’s center of security, politics, cultural heritage, and diplomacy.

It was formerly known as the “Pearl of Asia,” and it was regarded as one of the most beautiful French-built towns in Indochina in the 1920s. Phnom Penh, as well as Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, are important international and local tourism attractions in Cambodia. The city, which was founded in 1434, is known for its gorgeous and ancient architecture as well as its attractions. Along the main boulevards, there are a number of historic French colonial structures.

The Phnom Penh metropolitan region, located on the banks of the Tonle Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers, is home to around 2.2 million of Cambodia’s population of over 14.8 million people, an increase from over 1.9 million in 2008.

Despite being rescued from the Khmer Rouge by the Vietnamese in 1979, Phnom Penh has always been a tough neighborhood. Things are getting better, but roads are still in disrepair, traffic is hectic, and power is scarce.

High-rise structures and traffic lights are gradually being added to the metropolis. Unfortunately, the beauty that made it a “Paris of the East” before 1970 has been lost, while a few French colonial structures survive. The vast boulevards and promenades envisioned by the French have been converted into parking lots and market stalls: pedestrians are not happy.

The most enjoyable walking is along the park-like riverfront, which is lined with cafés and restaurants. The city’s standard tourist attractions are sparse, making it a great spot to unwind, observe street life, and soak in the local flavor. Phnom Penh is an excellent trip for people who want a “edgy” atmosphere and are willing to put up with the drawbacks of reckless driving, noise, dust, and persistent thievery.

There are several touts and beggars. A stern but courteous denial should suffice. Beggars who are elderly or crippled will gladly receive 500 riel. Remember that everyone old enough to have survived the Khmer Rouge had a difficult life. Generosity is not a negative thing in this situation. Some elderly individuals may even bestow a blessing on you as a result of your gift. Cocky young children demanding a dollar should be discouraged.

During the rainy season, the temperature is hot and humid, with rains in the late afternoon.

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Phnom Penh | Introduction

Phnom Penh – Info Card

POPULATION :  1,501,725
FOUNDED :  Founded 1372
Became Capital 1865
TIME ZONE :  Cambodia (UTC+7)
LANGUAGE :  Khmer (official) 95%, French, English
RELIGION :  Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5%
AREA :  +855 (023)
ELEVATION :  11.89 m (39.01 ft)
COORDINATES :  11°33′N 104°55′E
SEX RATIO :  Male: 48.80
 Female: 51.20
ETHNIC :  Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%
AREA CODE :  23
POSTAL CODE :
DIALING CODE :  +855 (023)
WEBSITE :   www.phnompenh.gov.kh

Climate of Phnom Penh

The climate of Phnom Penh is tropical wet and dry. The weather is hot all year, with very small fluctuations. Temperatures normally vary from 22 to 35 °C (72 to 95 °F), and the weather is influenced by tropical monsoons. From May to October, the southwest monsoon sweeps inland, bringing moisture-laden winds from the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean. The dry season, which lasts from November to March, is heralded by the northeast monsoon. The city receives the most rain from September through October, with the driest months being January and February.

There are two different seasons in the city. High temperatures are complemented by high humidity throughout the rainy season, which lasts from May to October. Temperatures may dip below 22 °C (72 °F) during the dry season, which lasts from November to April. In April, though, temperatures may reach 40 °C (104 °F).

Geography of Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is situated in Cambodia’s south-central area, completely encircled by the Kandal Province. The Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers run through the municipality. These rivers provide the city with freshwater and other natural resources. Phnom Penh and its neighboring regions are typical flood plain locations in Cambodia. Despite being 11.89 metres (39 feet) above the river, monsoon season flooding is an issue, and the river sometimes breaches its banks.

The city has a total area of 678.46 square kilometers (262 square miles), with 11,401 hectares (28,172 acres) in the municipality and 26,106 hectares (64,509 acres) of roadways. It is situated at 11.55°N 104.91667°E (11°33′ North, 104°55′ East). The municipality’s agricultural land area is 34.685 square kilometers (13 square miles), with 1.476 square kilometers (365 acres) under irrigation.

Internet, Comunication in Phnom Penh

Telephone

SIM cards for GSM phones start at $2 and can be purchased on practically any major street. A seller should have an active test card available to ensure that your phone will function on that network. Calls between mobile networks may be intermittent, and Skype calls from overseas to Cambodian mobiles are sometimes lost, so be prepared to redial often. SIM cards, phone credit, and internet packages may be purchased and activated at the airport, which is accessible immediately after customs. If you know you’re going to get a local sim card in Cambodia, this is a wonderful time and location to do it. Before leaving the house, make sure your phone’s sim card is unlocked. All phones sold in Cambodia seem to be unlocked. Dual-sim phones are inexpensive and beneficial for travelers who wish to use their home sim card and a local sim card simultaneously.

Mobitel and metfone offer the greatest coverage in Cambodia. Metfone is especially fantastic for their internet bundles (e.g., 2.5GB for one month for $5) and, unlike Mobitel, they offer hotspot tethering from your smartphone. Useful if you often use a laptop and wish to connect to wifi using your hotspot-enabled smartphone.

Most major networks, such as metfone, have kiosks at the Phnom Penh airport, right after customs, where you may purchase a local sim card, credit, and an Internet data plan. If so, double-check that everything seems to be working properly before leaving, such as by opening a web page and checking your balance.

Internet

Wi-Fi is offered in the majority of hotels that cater to Western visitors and travellers. Speed and dependability are comparable to neighboring nations. In Phnom Penh, there is no scarcity of Internet cafés. The majority are in the 1,500 riel/hour to 2,000 riel/hour (USD0.50) range.

A variety of outlets provide wireless and wired connectivity for laptops. Most upscale hotels provide high-speed internet connectivity for a fee. Along Sisowath Quay, there are many cafés, including the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (expensive), Fresco Café (under the FCC, also costly), K-West Café (at the Amanjaya Hotel), the Jungle Bar and Grill, and Phnom Penh Café (near the Paragon Hotel), and Metro Cafe (free).

Post

The main, spectacular French colonial-style post office is located between St 13 and 102, approximately between Wat Phnum and the Riverside. Another branch is located closer to downtown, near the junction of Sihanouk and Monivong Boulevards. Both offices are open seven days a week and provide a complete variety of postal services, including low-cost PO boxes.

International postcard postage is 3,000 riel. There are several really lovely picture stamps available. Philatelists: want mix-and-match alternatives. Letters and packages sent to Phnom Penh’s post office regularly go lost or are not delivered to recipients for up to a year.

How To Travel To Phnom Penh

Get In - By plane

The major airport in Cambodia, Phnom Penh International Airport, is located 7 kilometers west of the city.

The new terminal is a welcoming and modern space with a post office, bank (with ATMs), eateries, duty-free store, newsstand, tourist information desk, and business center.

Taxis from the airport’s public taxi stand cost USD9, while tuk-tuks are officially USD7. You can take a tuk-tuk into town for USD5 if you are ready to carry your things outside the airport gate. While cabs are a safer choice, they should be avoided since the drivers are arrogant and rarely return change. Tuk-tuk drivers are far more pleasant and accommodating. It’s worth getting an official motorbike taxi for USD2 for travellers on a budget who don’t have much luggage.

The pricing in Cambodia’s duty-free shops are exorbitant. Stock up on beer (place it in your checked baggage owing to liquid limitations for carry-on bags) and smokes before you get at the airport because they are half as expensive at stores and supermarkets in the city, such as the Lucky Supermarket. One liter of Absolut Vodka, for example, costs USD21 at the airport and USD11 in local stores. Electronics are similarly exorbitantly priced, but at least they’re genuine.

Get In - By bus

Cambodia is working to improve its roadways. Asphalt has been blazing tracks into unexpected and inaccessible locations since roughly 2008, allowing for speedier, year-round accessibility. The main highways that go from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Battambang, Sisophon, and Poipet (for Thailand) are well-paved and in good shape on both sides of the Tonle Sap.

Buses are of varying quality, with less attractive buses being a few dollars less expensive than more pleasant choices. Both “quality” and “budget” buses have inadequate safety requirements, and collisions (which are not usually recorded) are regular.

  • bus station. The Mekong Express, Phnom Penh Sorya Transport, Capitol Tours, and GST Express buses all depart from this busy bus stop in the southwest corner of the Central Market.
  • bus street, St 106 riverside. This small section of road, which runs along the north side of the Night Market near the river, serves as a hub for various buses, including the Giant Ibis.

At the bus station, you may purchase tickets. For a USD1–2 charge, guesthouses and travel agents across the city will arrange tickets.

When placed out of sight, items have been taken from the bags of some travellers.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICES

Border crossings are not open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Some night buses will wait until the border opens before proceeding. If entering Cambodia from Vietnam, be wary of visa frauds and stay away from the Kumho Samco.

  • Bangkok: In February 2013, the first buses linking Bangkok and Phnom Penh (also known as Siem Riep) began service. BKS, The Transport Company, operates a bus service from Bangkok. Buses depart at 08:15 from Mo Chit Bus Station (ticket window 22), and the 719 km journey takes 11 hours through Aranyaprathet area in Sa Kaeo. There, you will complete the normal border crossing procedures. Officially, a 30-day tourist visa costs USD37 (2015). The cost of a bus ticket to Phnom Penh is 900 baht (2013). Every day at 7:00 a.m., buses depart Phnom Penh for Bangkok.
  • Ho Chi Minh City is the capital of Vietnam (USD10, around 6 hr) There is no need to change buses.
  • Pakse (around 14 hr)
  • Vientiane (around 27 hr) A journey that was inconvenient and upsetting in overall. Expect convoluted border procedures, many bus changes, tickets that aren’t honored, and nighttime groping. Traveling through Bangkok (theoretically also approximately 27 hours, but with tight connections) is preferable to any overnight bus through Southern Laos since the 20:00 Bangkok-Nong Khai (Laos border, 20 km from Vientiane) sleeper train (13 hours) is safer and more pleasant.

Buses arriving from Pakse reach the city via Monivong Ave late at night (about 19:30-20:00), leaving exhausted and upset passengers vulnerable to tuk-tuk touts.

DOMESTIC SERVICES

Direct buses go to almost every province capital, including far-flung towns like Pailin, Samraong, Banlung, and Sen Monorom, from Phnom Penh, the domestic transportation center. The crammed peasant transporter Paramount Angkor specialized in off-the-beaten-path destinations. When traveling between cities, avoid it since it is the same price as more refined firms but does not guarantee a seat.

The following are some of the more commonly visited destinations:

  • Battambang (USD5, 4 hr)
  • Kampot
  • Koh Kong
  • Poipet for Aranyaprathet in Thailand
  • Siem Reap (USD5-10, 6 hr) Capitol Tours is the only company that runs buses to central Siem Reap. Other companies leave travellers at the mercy of tuk-tuk touts in an out of town bus station.
  • Sihanoukville (USD4.5-10, 3-5 hr)
  • Sisophon

Get In - By boat

Ferries go from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and take around 6 hours. Foreigners pay USD32 for their tickets. Many, but not all, of these boats allow passengers to sit on the roof, which provides a far more picturesque, albeit less pleasant, journey than taking the bus; bring sunscreen, a hat, and enough water to last several hours in case the boat becomes trapped. The boat departs at 7:30 a.m.

Fast boats leave Chau Doc in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta every morning at 8:00 a.m. and arrive in Phnom Penh in 5 hours. The boats return the following day, leaving Phnom Penh at 13:00 and landing in Chau Doc early in the evening.

There are three boat options for getting to Chau Doc:

  • Hang Chau Speedboat (no pick-up, tour guide, water, snack, insurance), leaves at 12:00, takes 4 hr, USD22
  • Dalta Adventure, leaves at 08:30, 5 hr, price USD21
  • Mekong Tour Slow Boat, leaves at 07:30, takes 7-8 hr, price USD12

Get In - By train

On the Southern Line, there is a limited freight service between Kampot and Phnom Penh.

“Bamboo trains” go through numerous towns along the route, with the one near Battambang being the most popular with visitors.

How To Get Around In Phnom Penh

The major streets of Phnom Penh are in decent condition. Some of the smaller streets and sidewalks are rutted and potholed, with debris, stagnant water, parked motorcycles, sleeping people, and construction materials clogging them up. Many tiny streets have little or deceptive signs, but Phnom Penh is well-organized and navigation is not difficult.

  • Motorbikes, (but not self-drive automobiles) can occasionally be leased for USD5–6 per day through guesthouses. Even by Southeast Asian standards, traffic is hectic and hazardous. Make sure you’re wearing a helmet and driving cautiously. On Monivong Blvd, there are two bike rental shops: Lucky Bike Rental and New Bike Rental. Accept that paying $1–2 in “fines” to the police is an unavoidable aspect of driving. Theft is a typical occurrence, therefore park in designated secured locations and pay a nominal parking charge, or use a lock and chain that should be given.
  • Motorbike taxis (also known as motodops or just motos) should be able to transport you wherever at a reasonable price. It costs around 2,000 riel to get from Sisowath Quay to Central Market (USD0.50). Nighttime and multiple-passenger fares are more expensive. Often, only a few words of English are uttered. There are no helmets provided.
  • Taxis – With over 100 metered taxis currently operating in the city, taxis are becoming considerably more frequent. In the evening, they may be seen in tourist locations such as the riverside and the Street 51 bar district. Call one of the taxi firms to arrange a pick-up. Non-metered taxis are still available throughout the city, particularly around big hotels and along the riverside tourism area. Fares must be agreed upon ahead of time. Fares vary; your lodging provider may be able to assist you.
  • Tuk-tuks (also known as remorque moto) are motorcycles with a cabin attached to the rear for passengers. They are both inexpensive and numerous (per tuk-tuk: USD2-3 for a city journey, USD8 to the airport). The rules of the road differ. In tourist regions, drivers may be able to communicate in some English. Drivers who are unfamiliar with the area are likely to pull over and ask for instructions.
  • Cyclos – Three-wheeled pedal cycle-rickshaws are known as cyclos. They’re leisurely, picturesque, traditional, and romantic, but their numbers are dwindling.
  • Cycling, has the potential to broaden the city’s horizons. By avoiding rapid bends, you may ride slowly, be visible, and predictable. Bicycles may be rented for $1 to $3 per day, or you can buy a cheap Chinese type bike for $30-$50, new or used, if you plan on staying longer. The region surrounding the top of St105, near St182, is a fantastic site to buy. The number of unpleasant verbal ride offers from tuk tuk and moto taxi drivers is substantially reduced when you ride a bike. There are several repair shops in town that can mend a puncture, inflate tires, or do any other type of repair work at a low cost. The cost of repairing a puncture is $1.
  • Walking, can be difficult. Remember that here, little takes precedence over large, and pedestrians come last, even on the now-clogged, once-grand, broad, French-built sidewalks! To cross safely, look for traffic gaps and proceed with caution. Allow plenty of time for incoming cars to see and avoid you, or try to cross with the colorful and renowned monks. Off the major boulevards, there is essentially little street illumination, and strolling at night is not recommended. Drivers frequently disregard traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.
  • Car – Phnom Penh is well-known for its huge traffic congestion, and for good reason. Furthermore, traffic is chaotic, and motorcyclists appear to be suicidal. As a result, most visitors consider driving in Phnom Penh to be a nightmare, and it is strongly advised that you take public transportation rather than driving yourself.

Districts & Neighbourhoods In Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is a municipality with a government standing similar to Cambodian provinces, covering 678.46 square kilometers (261.95 square miles). The city is split into twelve administrative divisions known as Khans (districts), with Dangkao, Meanchey, Porsenchey, Sen Sok, and Russei Keo being regarded the city’s fringes. The Phnom Penh Municipality is responsible for all Khans. The Khans are further split into 637 Kroms and 76 Sangkats (communes).

The Governor, who also serves as the city’s senior administrator and oversees the Municipal Military Police, Municipal Police, and Bureau of Urban Affairs, is in charge of the municipality. The Governor is followed by the First Vice Governor and five other Vice Governors. The Chief of Cabinet, who has the same rank as the Vice Governors, is in command of the Cabinet, which is made up of eight Deputy Chiefs of Cabinet, each of whom is in charge of one of the 27 Administrative Departments. A head Chief is appointed to each khan (district).

List of Phnom Penh Administrative Districts
Name of district (khan) Number of communes (sangkat) Number of villages (krom) Population as of 2008
Chamkar Mon 12 sangkats 95 kroms 182,004
Doun Penh 11 sangkats 134 kroms 126,550
Prampir Meakkakra 8 sangkats 33 kroms 91,895
Tuol Kouk 10 sangkats 143 kroms 171,200
Dangkao 15 sangkats 143 kroms 257,724
Mean Chey 4 sangkats 16 kroms 327,801
Ruessei Kaev 6 sangkats 21 kroms 196,684
Sen Sok 3 sangkats 32 kroms 147,967
Pou Senchey 11 sangkats 158 kroms 183 826
Chrouy Changvar 5 sangkats 22 kroms new district
Preaek Pnov 5 sangkats 59 kroms new district
Chbar Ampov 8 sangkats 30 kroms new district

Prices In Phnom Penh

Tourist (Backpacker) – 38 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:meals in cheap restaurant, public transport, cheap hotel.

Tourist (regular) – 96 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:mid-range meals and drinks,transportation, hotel.

MARKET / SUPERMARKET

Milk 1 liter $2.50
Tomatoes 1 kg $1.40
Cheese 0.5 kg $14.50
Apples 1 kg $
Oranges 1 kg $
Beer (domestic) 0.5 l $1.35
Bottle of Wine 1 bottle $10.00
Coca-Cola 2 liters $1.55
Bread 1 piece $1.25
Water 1.5 l $0.90

RESTAURANTS

Dinner (Low-range) for 2 $17.00
Dinner (Mid-range) for 2 $26.00
Dinner (High-range) for 2 $44.00
Mac Meal or similar 1 meal $4.90
Water 0.33 l $0.40
Cappuccino 1 cup $2.35
Beer (Imported) 0.33 l $2.50
Beer (domestic) 0.5 l $1.00
Coca-Cola 0.33 l $0.70
Coctail drink 1 drink $4.50

ENTERTAINMENT

Cinema 2 tickets $7.00
Gym 1 month $58.00
Men’s Haircut 1 haircut $9.00
Theatar 2 tickets $24.00
Mobile (prepaid) 1 min. $0.07
Pack of Marlboro 1 pack $1.40

PERSONAL CARE

Antibiotics 1 pack $7.00
Tampons 32 pieces $3.85
Deodorant 50 ml. $2.90
Shampoo 400 ml. $3.10
Toilet paper 4 rolls $1.50
Toothpaste 1 tube $1.35

CLOTHES / SHOES

Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) 1 $
Dress summer (Zara, H&M) 1 $
Sport shoes (Nike, Adidas) 1 $70.00
Leather shoes 1 $44.00

TRANSPORTATION

Gasoline 1 liter $1.05
Taxi Start $0.90
Taxi 1 km $0.90
Local Transport 1 ticket $

Sights & Landmarks In Phnom Penh

The French colony in Cambodia was acquired late and barely ignored. Historic, colonial architecture was initially restricted and has now entirely degraded. Exceptions are the Grand Post Office Building, Central Market, and the Raffles Le Royal Hotel. In general, every excellent structure, ancient or new, will be surrounded by a large wall with security guards.

  • Independence and Liberation Memorials. The city’s center is dominated by the impressive Buddhist-style Independence Memorial, which commemorates the departure of the French in 1953. The nearby Stalin-style Liberation Memorial commemorates the Vietnamese takeover of the city in 1979. Locals flock to the area on weekends when the multi-colored fountains are ignited and community music is played.
  • The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek (About 17 km south of Phnom Penh, 40 min by taxi or motorbike or tuk-tuk). This is not a place for the faint of heart. This was a former Chinese cemetery where the Khmer Rouge executed hundreds of their victims during their four-year reign of terror. Today, the location is memorialized with a Buddhist stupa containing almost 8,000 human skulls. The sides are constructed of glass so that visitors may have a close look at them. There are also trenches in the region where mass burials were discovered, with foreboding pieces of clothes strewn around. It’s a peaceful yet somber setting. Throughout the day, a tiny museum shows a documentary with horrifying video footage of human remains discovered when the mass graves were discovered in 1979. After learning about the Khmer Rouge atrocities at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, pay a visit here. Wear respectable attire such as long trousers and no sleeveless blouses or tops as a token of respect, since millions were slain during the terrible genocidal reign of Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge. Flowers and incense are available for purchase in front of the stupa. The memorial site was sold to a for-profit private enterprise in 2005. A tuk-tuk to the site should cost about USD9-11 (after bargaining, of course), including a stop to the Genocide Museum on the way and waiting for you at both locations. USD6 per person, which includes a very fine audio tour.
  • The National Museum of Cambodia, St 13, Sangkat Chey Chumneas, Khan Daun Penh (Opposite the Royal Palace),   +855 23 211753, +855 12 621522 (mobile), fax: +855 23 211753, e-mail:[email protected]. Daily, 08:00-17:00, last admission 16:30.The museum has an amazing collection of art from Cambodia’s “golden period” of Angkor, as well as a gorgeous courtyard in the center. The statue of King Jayavarman VII (1181-1219) in a contemplative stance is a major draw. Graceful sculptures of Hindu gods, ancient stelae (tablets) engraved in Sanskrit and old Khmer, and artifacts from a prehistoric burial place are among the other displays worth viewing. Photography is not permitted within the museum, although it is permitted in the central courtyard for a modest charge (cameras: USD1, video cameras: USD3). The ancient statue of the “Leper King” (really Yama, the Hindu deity of death) from the terrace of the Leper King at Angkor Archaeological Park stands in the center of the courtyard. The annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony, held in the charming small park in front of the museum, determines the success or failure of the ensuing crop. You may have heard tales of tourists bringing umbrellas inside to prevent bat dropping rains, however the bats left following the 2002 remodeling. USD5.
  • Olympic Stadium. Built in the 1960s for the ill-fated Asian Games, this intriguing Modern-style facility was sold to the Taiwanese in a shady arrangement by the Cambodian government. The new owners have refurbished it, and it is again being utilized as a venue once more. In the nights, though, a trip around the upper perimeter is worthwhile: you can see hundreds of people attending workout and dancing classes, and you can see the abandoned track below. There is also an Olympic-size swimming pool and diving pool with a 10 m platform available to the public across the track from the main building. It costs 6,000 riel to enter and 500 riel to check your belongings.
  • The Royal Palace, Sothearos Blvd (one block to the west of Sisowath Quay).08:00-10:00 & 14:00-17:00. The Cambodian King still resides here, although most of the palace is available to the public. The groomed gardens are almost as beautiful as the castle roof’s multicolored glass tiles. The Silver Pagoda and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, two majestic pagodas in the Palace Grounds, are among the few public structures in Phnom Penh that are really worth visiting. They were erected in the nineteenth century using French technology and Cambodian design, and have withstood the horrors of the twentieth century well. See them early in the morning before it becomes too hot. Inside the Silver Pagoda and several of the royal structures, photography is not permitted. You must dress appropriately (no bare legs or shoulders), however you may purchase sarongs and large T-shirts for USD $2-3, or rent T-shirts and sarongs for a token 1000 riel at the entry. Shorts that cover your knees are OK. In general, the palace complex has a more structured, formal, organized, and harmonious arrangement with a distinct and unique architectural style than Bangkok, which has a more eclectic mix of styles. USD6.25 (plus $2 for a camera) or 25,000 riel
  • Sisowath Quay (Riverside). Phnom Penh is a small town, so it’s simple to pack sightseeing, shopping, dining, and drinking into a single stroll around the city. The town’s riverfront promenade, Sisowath Quay, which stretches along the west bank of the Tonle Sap River, is crucial in linking the dots. This is a three-kilometer stretch packed with hotels, restaurants, bars, cafés, and stores, and it is frequented by vendors, residents, visitors, and expats. Every morning, the Quay begins with a life-affirming fitness session set to intriguing music, while birds soar and whirl in formation above. It’s surrounded by a vast, long open area with groomed lawns, palm trees, and open paths, all of which were recently re-done as part of a Japanese-funded project to repair the river’s flood infrastructure. The built-up side of the street is popular with visitors and expatriates willing to cross the gauntlet of touts peddling drugs, girls, and tuk-tuk rides. Unfortunately, the riverfront (formerly thought to be a “secure” region in Phnom Penh) is no longer fully safe for visitors. Tourist cops are said to be there in plainclothes. The riverfront esplanade is also popular with Cambodians, who flock here in the evening to enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere. It starts in the riverfront park opposite the royal palace and is best enjoyed in the early evening. Dawn is also a bustling time at Sisowath Quay, with citizens doing calisthenics in front of the royal palace and the sun rising over the river. Aside from the recent brick assaults on foreigners, there are said to be juvenile gangs and pickpockets, so additional vigilance is advised.
  • Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison), St 113, Boeng Keng Kang 3, Chamkar Morn,  +855 23 300698.In 1975, a school was turned into Cambodia’s most major jail. More than 14,000 victims were tortured here before being executed at the killing fields; just 8 inmates survived. The exhibit is readily accessible and a must-see for anybody interested in Cambodia’s heinous recent history. The notorious “skull map” has been deconstructed, but there are still skulls piled in cupboards, torture instruments, and horrible images of people dying. Try David Chandler’s Voices from S-21 for an introduction and more reading (ISBN 0520222474). S-21, a documentary film, can be bought in Phnom Penh for USD1.50-2. At 9:30 a.m., a short film showcasing several survivors will be shown upstairs in the distant building. A sizable portion of your Tuol Sleng admission charge will go to the museum’s director, who is the son of the relevant government minister. (This is maybe the major reason the museum is in such disrepair and the exhibitions are so unoriginal.) And a word of caution to those who purchase at the souvenir store. Don’t be duped into purchasing a vintage Rolex, Patek Philippe, or Omega watch. They are forgeries and have no value. The owner is quite convincing and will tell you that it is a husband’s collection. Instead, just across from the museum (No 54 & 56, St 113, Phnom Penh) is a little store called CHA (http://www3.online.com.kh/users/wthanchashop) that offers low-cost handcrafted products manufactured by women who have been crippled by polio and land mines. If you ask, you may also have a tour of the business, meet the female employees, and see where they learn English. The admission fee is $3 USD, and the audio tour is $3 USD.
  • Wat Botum (About 3 km south of Wat Phnom, near the Royal Palace).Historically, the wat was preferred by royalty. It was home to a sweet little novice called Saloth Sar in the 1930s, who “never gave anybody any bother, never started fights – a wonderful youngster.” He afterwards changed his name to Pol Pot.
  • Wat Phnom (Hill Temple) (On a hill at the centre of a small park near Sisowath Quay, on St 94). This hilltop pagoda commemorates the city’s founding and is constantly crowded with pilgrims and fortune-tellers. Sam Bo, the city’s solitary elephant, who has been giving visitors rides for almost 40 years, may also be seen. The temple is famous for its historical significance more than its architectural form, although the park is a nice green area and a favorite meeting spot for people. There are also a couple monkeys that keep quarters there and will help themselves to any beverages you leave unguarded. Admission is one dollar; an elephant ride is fifteen dollars.
  • Wat Ounalom. It was founded in 1422 and is one of Phnom Penh’s five original foundation monasteries.
  • Wat Langka. On Mondays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m., there is a free meditation class.

Things To Do In Phnom Penh

  • Bicycle Tours and Rental (Phnom Penh),  +855 89 834704, +855 15 696376, e-mail: [email protected]. Sa-Su, 09:00-17:00. On request throughout the week. Take a short excursion to the opposite side of the Mekong River or into the countryside, either alone or with a group. USD2.
  • The Empire cinema, 34, St 130 (Just off Riverside Blvd), e-mail:[email protected]. M-F, 16:00-23:00; Sa-Su, 13:30-23:00. Blockbusters, children’s films, documentaries, music, cartoons, and classics are shown on the huge screen on the 2nd story of an ancient Cambodian timber home with air conditioning. Drinks and hot buttered popcorn produced in-house are provided. The Killing Fields airs every day. Adults pay USD3.50 for the whole day, while children under the age of 18 pay USD1.50.
  • Flicks 2 cinema, #90, St 136 (near Feel Good Cafe). A fantastic 32-seat mini-cinema playing a wide range of films. The current film schedule is available on their website. All-day admission is $3.50.
  • Flicks 3 cinema, #, St 258. Fantastic 32-seat mini-cinema showcasing a variety of great films. The current film schedule may be found on their website. The price of an all-day ticket is $3.50.
  • Feel Good Spa, #79, St 136 (next to Flicks 2 cinema),  078 888 773.Western-managed spa and emporium that provides a wide range of massage and wellness services.
  • Hash House Harriers. A jogging group that meets at the train station every Sunday at 14:15. USD5.
  • Help the Needy with Choice. Helping the expat-run charity Choice is a terrific method to support some of the local disadvantaged people in a nice and gratifying manner. They aid in providing food and basic necessities to around 200+ severely impoverished households, as well as medical treatment if necessary. They also feed and send many children to local schools and colleges, as well as providing vocational training. Skilled volunteers, particularly teachers, are invited to assist.
  • Institute Francais. Film screenings. There are fewer movies with English subtitles than there used to be.
  • Mekong Cruises. Every evening, boats go for a river excursion. Many places provide snacks or meals around sunset. Visit Mekong Island if you want to witness rustic life. USD8.
  • Mekong Islands Bicycle Tour, 23 St 144. 08:00-12:30. Grasshopper Adventures offers a daily 20-kilometer bicycle trip through short routes along rivers and crisscrossing the islands (4 boat jumps) to experience the beautiful green landscape around Phnom Penh. USD29.
  • Meta House, 6, St 264, opposite Wat Botum. There is an art gallery, a bar, a mini-cinema, and a production house. Free, high-quality international and Cambodian films are shown. Tue-Su evenings at 19:00 on the rooftop bar-lounge.
  • NagaWorld Casino. Phnom Penh’s lone casino.
  • Orphanage Visit (ChildSafe International). If you are thinking of visiting one of the orphanages, keep in mind that they may be exploitative and badly managed. Your money may end up going to the owner rather than the children. In Phnom Penh, there are few, if any, real orphanages; practically all are frauds. Accepting unexpected visits from unscreened foreigners is also a symptom of a subpar institution that does not have the children’s best interests at heart. If you really want to help, consider contacting organizations that offer educational programs, such as this one, and ask if there is any way you can help.
  • Scuba Nation Diving Centre, 18Eo, St 3 (Close to the FCC),  +855 12 715785, fax: +855 23 211850, e-mail: [email protected]. M-F, 09:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-17:00, Su 11:00-18:00. The pioneers of diving in Cambodia, offering complete diving and snorkeling services, day excursions, liveaboards, nitrox, and a full variety of PADI courses from novice to teacher. The secret is flexibility: you may take training sessions while visiting in Phnom Penh, then end with a liveaboard on Cambodia’s only custom-made diving boat.
  • Thunder Ranch Shooting Range (Near killing fields of Cheoung Ek).A Royal Cambodian Army regiment runs a shooting range. You may shoot anything from handguns to machine weapons at paper targets for a steep charge. Moto drivers, indifferent to the reactions of most guests, will attempt to incorporate this in a trip to the killing fields and will collect a large fee for driving you there. USD20 for a pistol; USD40 for an AK-47 with 30 bullets; and USD350 for a rocket launcher.
  • Backstreet Academy, #14, Street 360, Sangkat Boueng Keng Kong 1 (BKK1) (Khan Chamkarmorn (Same Building As Music Arts School)), +855 077793214, e-mail: [email protected]. 09:00-18:00. They enable locals to offer authentic and unique activities to tourists such as fishing on the Mekong like a local fisherman, coconut carving workshops, Cambodian Boxing, Apsara dance classes, and even a fear factor challenge where you learn to cook insects sold by vendors along the streets of Phnom Penh. They are a social enterprise that works with many impoverished individuals who act as hosts or facilitators. The facilitators will pick you up from your accommodation and assist you with translation. These facilitators are mostly young students searching for jobs to help pay for their studies or orphans attempting to reintegrate into society. Most activities in Phnom Penh include transportation. A terrific opportunity to mingle with locals, learn about their culture, and bring something special home with you.
  • PhoceaMekong Cruises, Tourism terminal passenger, +855 12 221 348, e-mail: [email protected]. Phoceamekong Cruises offers river cruises departing from Phnom Penh. The vacations are advertised as “all-inclusive,” but its website states that they do not cover “personal costs, tipping, and any services not specifically stated.”

Food & Restaurants In Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh has several unique gastronomic offerings not available elsewhere in the nation. These include French-inspired cuisine as well as Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian meals. Pizza, banana pancakes, and fried rice are always readily available.

The riverfront is home to everything from street vendors to sophisticated French bistros. Stalls are prone to lack hygiene practices: consuming peeled fruit and vegetables, as well as anything undercooked, may result in unfavorable outcomes.

Exotic treats

Duck embryo eggs are sold within a large high school campus near the southwest corner of Sokun Mean Bun St (St 178) and Norodum Blvd (in front of the green SSN Bldg), along with days old born chicks to frogs (everything is eaten, not just the legs) coated in batter and deep fried. The Central Market sells skewered and roasted pigs ears, chicken claws, and gizzards. Pig intestines, sliced into bits and splashed with sauce, are offered for USD1 every 100 g. The market also sells grilled tiny crabs, lobsters, and prawns. Chicken feet are offered at open-air restaurants on St 154, which is on the right as you go northward from Monivong Blvd. Bugs and other insects, including grasshoppers, spiders/crabs, grubs, and pupae, are sold along Sothearos Blvd from 184 to 178 St.

Budget

  • 5555, cnr St 13, St 154. Come to this small street side bistro if you enjoy oysters. 20 oysters on ice or BBQ for $3.5, and jugs of Angkor beer for 6500 riel.
  • Aroma Chef (St 172, opposite Chat ‘n Chew). A fantastic restaurant in the heart of St 172. Nice personnel and a great ambience, as well as a Khmer and international food.
  • Asian Spice Cafe Pub, 79 St 111 (50 m off Sihanouk Blvd opposite Sport Shop). Cafe opened in 2006, with a bar above. A Singaporean, a former Intercontinental Hotel chef, owns the restaurant. Expats and tourists flock here in droves. Chinese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Western, and Khmer foods are available. USD1.40-2.80.
  • Baitong Restaurant, 7 St 360 (Opposite the International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP)). Dishes that are authentically Khmer, Thai, and Vietnamese. Breakfast express and lunch buffet are also available, with prices ranging from USD2–3.75. Two big rooms are available for conferences, training, and other events, while a smaller room is available for meetings and private meals.
  • Camory Cookie Boutique, 167 Sisowath Quay (Between St 110 and 118), e-mail: [email protected]. 09:00-20:30. A cafe-cum-development enterprise that teaches cooks while reinvesting profits in humanitarian causes. The Sreh T’nout cookie, a decadent combination of chocolate, almonds, and palm sugar, is their best-seller.
  • Cavern Pub, 19 St 104. English-style pub serving English-style cuisine. Open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Excellent happy hour till 18:00. On Mondays, there will be live music/open mic night, on Tuesdays, there will be British comedy night, and on weekends, there will be live sports.
  • C’est Wat Restaurant and Guesthouse, 9 St 118 (2 min walk from the riverside). 10:00-15:00. Check out the gigantic USD7.50 Sunday roast with a complimentary glass of wine, or the massive USD4 all day meal, which includes pig sausages, back bacon, mushrooms, eggs, potato fritters, beans, toast, tea, or coffee. USD0.75 for a beer.
  • Sony Side Up (formerly Chat ‘n Chew), St 172,  +855 12 482302. Expats who hang around here are quite popular. Sony and his family are really pleasant and helpful.
  • Comme a la Maison, 13 St 57. On a lovely garden terrace. The atmosphere is laid-back yet sophisticated, with pleasant service. Pizza and salads, as well as ice cream treats, are available.
  • Red Chilli (formerly Dark Rose), St 228 (Just off St 51). Excellent BBQ pork ribs for just 7,000 riel each dish.
  • Evergreen Vegetarian House, 109 St 130 (Between St 15 and 19), e-mail:[email protected]. 06:30-14:00, 15:30-21:00. Small restaurant serving a wide range of Japanese, Thai, and Cambodian vegetarian dishes, both with and without faux meats. Delicious and low-cost. Air-con. USD2–5.
  • Feel Good Cafe (next to Flicks 2 cinema). Excellent café managed by a Kiwi couple that serves superb coffee and meals. Cooking courses are also available.
  • Cafe Fin (4memories), No 27Eo, St 506/135, Phsar Doeum Thkov, Chamkarmorn,  +855 97 682 8166, e-mail: [email protected]:00 – 20:00. Café Fin, located south of the Russian Market, offers a calm setting where you may eat breakfast, lunch, or supper while admiring the view from the vast and airy roof terrace. It is also an excellent location for breaks, meetings, and parties. Its menu features a variety of Western and Asian home-cooking specialties, as well as a selection of unique cocktails. 5 to 20 dollars
  • Halal Foods Mumina, 86 St (North side of the street, in front of South China Airlines office). Muslim eateries to the north of the Phnom Penh Hotel are recommended. In addition, the guesthouses in this region are among the most affordable, with rooms starting at USD4. Because of the proximity to their embassies, this neighborhood is popular with the French and British.
  • Kathmandu Kitchen, 13 Long Nget Street 258 (South of the Palace, in the same street as Lazy Gecko and Okay Guesthouse, on corner Sothearos Blv.),  0235000485. Delicious Nepali and Indian cuisine at moderate pricing served in a restaurant atmosphere with complimentary water and sauces. 2-5 USD; vegetarian 3.5 USD for a Nepali-style thali.
  • K.K. Tandoor, Sothearos Blvd (Opposite Vietnamese Monument, next to Pannasastra University). Indian cuisine at a reasonable price, including chicken tandoori, butter chicken, and naans. Air-con. A draft beer costs one dollar.
  • La Lotus Blanc, 402 Stung Mean Chey and 152 St 51 Boeung Keng Kang.French and Asian cuisines, as well as a popular neighborhood hangout. Students from the PSE prepare and serve the meal.
  • NOW Snack Shop, 69H St 101, Boeng Trabek Ward, Chamkar Mon (Near Rock Entertainment Centre, Royal University of Law & Economics),  +855 97 9498853, e-mail: [email protected]. 06:00-19:00. Breakfast, lunch, and supper will be served in English, as will Vietnamese snacks, coffee, tea, shakes, juice, and fruit yogurt. USD0.50-2.00.
  • P&K Restaurant (formerly “Old Ponlok”), 319 Sisowath Quay Blvd. On the riverbank, there is a Khmer and Chinese restaurant. Excellent service, as well as original and incredibly excellent Khmer twists on Chinese food, with everything in between. The beef tripe with teouk prahok is quite tasty. It seems to have been operating since 1984 and is well-liked by locals. Draft Angkor Angkor USD0.50 USD3–12.
  • Setsara Thai Restaurant, 3D St 278. Thai restaurant with a very excellent Thai chef, nice music, affordable rates, and competent service, if sometimes a little sluggish. They also serve some excellent French delicacies.
  • Tinat Restaurant (Corner of St 51 & St 154). Extensive pictorial menu of local foods at low pricing, such as sweet and sour chicken for USD1.75. Rice for free.
  • Tom Yum Kung Thai Restaurant, 10 St 278 (In the BKK1 area), e-mail:[email protected]. 07:00-22:00. Popular with both residents and guests, this thatch-roofed Thai/Khmer eatery. A wide variety of genuinely cooked Thai and Khmer foods are available. The tom yum gung, as one would imagine, is recommended. Air conditioning upstairs, fans below.
  • The Vegetarian, 11 St 200 (Oknha Men). Excellent daily special with white or brown rice and three small meals. The majority of consumers are Westerners. Staff who speak English Most meals are priced at USD1.50.
  • Warung Bali, 3D St 178 No. 25 E0, Royal Palace. In a tourist area, a small, traditional Indonesian eatery.

Mid-range

  • 50 Cents Cafe, 105 St 19 (Street behind Lux Cinema, close to the corner), +855 16 386094, +855 97 2226666. 08:00-22:00. Thai and Western cuisine at reasonable costs. Cocktails, coffee, and soft drinks are available, as are fresh fruit salad, crepes, ice cream, a peaceful rest on a cool couch, artwork, and a movie theater. There is free Wi-Fi. USD1.75-4.5.
  • Amok Restaurant & Cafe, 2 St 278 (Near Independence Monument),  +855 12 912319. The decor is warm and inviting, with open-air eating. Traditional Khmer meals as well as other styles The typical fish amok is executed beautifully, and the portions are generous.
  • Anise, 57 St (Near the corner of Sihanouk and 278 St). Comfortable, tastefully appointed corner restaurant with free Wi-Fi and several delicious meals from a diverse menu, including SE Asian cuisine. Their club sandwich is delicious. Perhaps a tad overpriced.
  • Atmosphere, 141C Norodom Blvd. Fancy French restaurant. On an average day, it is quiet, yet it attracts a regular number of expats.
  • Aussie XL, 205A 51 (Pasteur) St. The owner is the one thing that is really Aussie about this establishment. Foster’s has been removed from the premises, in conformity with Aussie custom. However, the cuisine is excellent, and the wood-fired oven pizza rivals anything seen in Italy.
  • Bai Thong, 100-102 Sothearos Blvd,  +855 23 211054, +855 12 666390(mobile), e-mail: [email protected]. 11:00-14:00, 18:00-23:00. French and Indochinese food in a tastefully designed setting. USD10-20.
  • Blue Cat, St 110. Friendly and comfortable. With an international and Khmer food and a reasonable wine selection, this restaurant is ideal for family dining. There is free Wi-Fi.
  • Brown Coffee and Bakery, 17 St 214 (Next to Old Pencil Supermarket), +855 23 217262. Excellent coffee served by a skilled barista. The bakery chef has Cordon Bleu training, and the sandwiches are delicious.
  • Cafe Yejj, 170 St 450 (SE corner of the Russian Market, less than 15m E of the corner of St 155 & 450). Seating is available on both the ground floor and the second floor, both inside and outside. Pasta, panini, burritos, and Cambodian cuisine are all available. Participates in reversing the cycle of poverty by hiring at-risk women. Excellent service. Upstairs bathroom is spotless. The majority of dishes cost less than USD4. If you don’t want to be disturbed by beggars, sit indoors.
  • Chenla Floating Restaurant, 219B Sisowath Quay (opposite the Paragon Hotel). Dinner cruises are available (fixed menu $8, leaving weekly at 17:30).
  • Chez Lipp, St 86, very near Monivong. You may eat as much as you want and prepare it yourself using table top “steam boat” type cookers. Prawns, squid, meat, poultry, and so forth. Each person pays $7.50. Locals love it, but tourists and foreigners don’t. Beware the monkey at the entrance.
  • Chi Cha Restaurant, 27 St 110 (Near the riverfront in the café and bar area), e-mail: [email protected]. Excellent and ample vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian cuisine at a handy central location. There are also accommodations starting at USD8. USD4 for set meals
  • The Corn, 26 Preah Suramarit Blvd (Norodom Blvd). Mostly vegetarian Cambodian cuisine with a plethora of (good) vegan alternatives and a welcoming English-speaking staff.
  • Le Duo, St 228 (Between Monivong and St 63). Food from Italy. Luigi, who was born in Sicily, produces excellent pasta and pizza.
  • Equinox, St 278 (Near St 51). Pizzas, baguettes, burgers, pastas, and other Western specialties are available. Excellent indoor/outdoor ambience. Meat and salads are provided by a local organization that teaches farmers how to produce organically.
  • Friends Restaurant, #215, St 13 (50m north of the National Museum),  +855 12 802072, e-mail: [email protected]. M-Sa 11:00-21:00, closed Su. Run by a non-profit organization that trains and educates former street children. Western and Asian foods, most of which are tapas, so order two or three. The backyard patio is lovely, and the inside is elegant. A good selection of vegetarian options. USD3-6.
  • Frizz Restaurant, 67 St 240,  +855 23 220953, +855 12 845525(mobile). 10:00-23:00. Cambodian food at its best. The Cambodia Cooking Class is conducted by the restaurant. USD5-10.
  • Green Mango Restaurant and Bar, 170E Street 63 (Corner of St 278, Boeung Keng Kang I),  +855 23 720470. Dishes from the West, Cambodia, and the Mediterranean. A excellent venue to get up with pals for a casual get-together. Excellent Wi-Fi connection, excellent music selection, and nice personnel.
  • Jars of Clay, 39B St 155 (South of the Russian Market), +855 23 300281.Closed Su. Women run the cafe. After a visit to the packed Russian Market, this is a great location to unwind. English breakfast, quiches, sandwiches, soups, and delectable cakes Smoothies, ice cream, and exceptionally delicious coffee, as well as air conditioning. USD4-10.
  • Java Café, 56 Sihanouk Blvd. Soups, salads, and sandwiches served in a cozy setting with a view of the Independence Monument. Vegetarian alternatives are plentiful. There is a changing art show.
  • Khmer Surin, 11 St 57 (South of Sihanouk Blvd). Romantic restaurant serving great Khmer and Thai cuisine. Amok, a classic Khmer seafood dish, stands out.
  • Meta House, 37 Sothearos Blvd (Across from the Australian Embassy),  +855 23 224140. Nice gallery, German pfannkuchen (flat pizzas), and informative Cambodia videos.
  • Metro Café (Corner of Sisowath Quay and St 148, opposite Riverside Bistro).A stylish mingling of Asian and Western cultures. Air-con. There is a good assortment of tiny tapas-style appetizers starting at USD1 and a wonderful steak for about USD12. There is free Wi-Fi.
  • Nature and Sea (Corner of Street 278 and 51),  +855 12 879486. Relaxed restaurant on the second story of a rooftop facing Wat Langka that encourages healthy eating. Salads, crepes, and drinks are delectable. Take a look at the passion fruit juice. USD3-7.
  • Paris Bubble Tea, 285-287 Preah Monivong (Not far from the New York Hotel),  +855 23 990373. It’s pleasant, and it provides fun and delicious bubble tea. Try the traditional Pearl Milk Tea.
  • Penny Lane Café (Corner of St 111 & St 242. Not far from the Town View Hotel). Italian-style café with air conditioning and outdoor seating that takes great pleasure in its coffee. There is free Wi-Fi.
  • Riverside Bistro, 273a Sisowath Quay (Corner of Street 148 and Sisowath Quay), 012 277882, e-mail: [email protected]. 07:30-02:00. In an old colonial-style structure with nice terrace dining and Tonle Sap views. Popular with local expats, tourists, and well-to-do Khmers. Try “lotus root.” Every day, there is live music, a pool table, four HD TVs for sports, music videos from the 1960s and 1970s, a foosball table (table football), and free internet.
  • The Shop, 39 St 240,  +855 23 986964, +855 92 955963 (mobile), e-mail:[email protected]. 07:00-19:00. Popular eatery serving sandwiches, quiches, salads, and freshly baked goodies. There is a cozy and peaceful patio sitting area. Breakfast selections are excellent. It is less than USD5.
  • Viva la Mexico restaurant (new location October 2015), riverside. Excellent Mexican restaurant. Try the $1.50 Viva frozen margaritas during Happy Hour, which runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Dine in the Dark (DiD), St 19 near St 172 (opposite LongLin GH). It was a fantastic experience to dine in complete darkness. The whole service personnel is deafeningly deafeningly deafen Apparently, the vegetarian choice isn’t all that fantastic. $18.

Splurge

  • 102, 1A, St 102 (One block south of Le Royal),  +855 23 990880. Probably the best French restaurant in Phnom Penh, housed in a contemporary, European-style setting. The cuisine is excellent, especially the onion soup. Almost totally unknown to visitors, yet popular among Phnom Penh’s affluent elite, thus reservations are advised. USD30.
  • Caravan´s Italian Fine Dining, #68, Sihanouk Blvd (20 meers from Monument of Independence),  023 966 600, e-mail:[email protected]. Western food served in an Italian fine dining establishment. Wifi connection is excellent.
  • Le Bistrot, 4D, St 29. French and Italian.
  • FCCPhnomPenh (Foreign Correspondents’ Club), 363 Sisowath Quay,  +855 23 724014, e-mail: [email protected]. 07:00-24:00. This Phnom Penh institution is housed in a refurbished colonial structure, and its second-floor balcony provides sweeping views of the river as well as a Khmer-Western food and a selection of specialty cocktails ($5.50) such as the Tonle Sap Breezer and the Burmese Rum Sour. The design and atmosphere evoke the city’s dramatic history. The pub is open till midnight and is a favorite weekend hangout. All of this is to say that, although it is well-known and well-worth a visit, it is expensive in comparison to much of the competitors, and service and timeliness are erratic. There is no air conditioning, and leaving is hampered by an unsightly swarm of touts. FCC’s sweets are really tasty. USD20+.
  • La Luna d’Autunno, 4D, St 29. Italian cuisine at a magnificent ancient home with a nice garden setting, and air conditioning inside.
  • Le Quay (Corner of Sisowath Quay & St 110),  +855 23 213582. Enjoying Phnom Penh riverbank activities while sitting by a water feature or on the terrace. Dishes from the West and Asia.
  • Le Wok, 33 St 178 (Near the National Museum),  +855 98 821857. 09:00-23:00. In a nicely designed setting, enjoy delectable French and pan-Asian food. USD20+. USD10 lunch special

Shopping In Phnom Penh

Silk, silverware, handicrafts and curios (particularly Buddha figurines), and made-to-order clothing are popular visitor purchases (which are often of good quality). Look for the Heritage Friendly Business Logo from Heritage Watch, an organization that supports the preservation of Cambodia’s cultural history, if you want to support companies who are known for supporting Cambodia’s culture and heritage.

Concerning money. The Cambodian riel is not often used for significant transactions. Prices for anything other than a dish of rice will be given in US dollars. The Cambodian Central Bank keeps the riel at about 3,900–4,100 per dollar. Be cautious if rates go outside of this range. Money changers abound near the central market and post their rates on bulletin boards.

Only upmarket establishments will take plastic (normally with a 3 percent surcharge). Converting dollars to riel is often unnecessary, however the frugal will notice a little gain. Small transactions using notes worth more than USD20 may pose complications, although retailers will work around them. Do not be concerned if a seller rushes off with your hefty bill; they are looking for change, not stealing you. US cash that is torn, damaged, or of an older series may not be accepted.

There are several ATMs. They accept foreign cards and take US currencies. Canadia Bank and Mekong Bank ATMs were formerly fee-free, however this was no longer the case as of the end of 2014. MB Bank (St 93 cnr St 214) does not impose fees and enables withdrawals of up to $1,000. (July 2016). Maybank does not charge, although it only takes Visa cards. Otherwise, usual costs are $5 regardless of the amount withdrawn, with a $500 limit. ANZ Royal Bank and Canadia Bank both charge USD5 per transaction, with a maximum single withdrawal of $500. It’s a good idea to use ATMs at real bank branches while they’re open for safety reasons, since any difficulties can be reported promptly, and there’s usually a security person on duty as well. It also allows you to request smaller notes, such as 20s or 10s, which are considerably simpler to spend and collect change from and pose less of a danger of picking up counterfeit notes. The Mekong Bank at 220 Sisowath Quay would gladly exchange large notes for smaller ones or damaged notes.

Traveller’s checks might be difficult to cash. Even big banks may refuse to exchange traveler’s checks worth more than USD100.

Antiques

The Cambodia Antiquities Law (1996) prohibits the sale, acquisition, and export of Cambodian antiquities, while the United States has prohibited their import since 1999. As a result, the majority of “antiques” offered in Cambodia are replicas.

  • Hidden Treasures, 9 St 148. Antiques, art, and curiosities from Cambodia’s history and other Southeast Asian civilizations.

Books

The pirated publications that youngsters would attempt to sell you for USD5 must be bargained over (they buy them for USD1). Before you purchase, take a minute to look over the catalog. The quality of the book varies: pages may be out of order or missing, or the book may not be the one indicated on the cover.

  • Bohr’s Books, 5 Sothearos Blvd (St 3) (One block from the Royal Palace),  +855 12 929148, e-mail: [email protected]. A tiny bookstore with a vast and diversified selection of books. It’s simple to find. St 172, 400 meters from Wat Unalom, now has a second shop.
  • Boston Book Company, 8 St 240, Chaktomuk Duan Penh (Around the corner from Monument Books), +855 92 214452. A secondhand bookstore. There is a decent selection of fiction and nonfiction, as well as literature for instructors and students. It will ultimately feature a café in an appealing structure.
  • D’s Books, 79 St 240, and 363 Sisowath Quay (Near the Foreign Correspondents’ Club). A network of used bookstores specializing on mass market paperbacks. Staff who are uncommunicative and use monosyllables.
  • International Book Center, 154 Sihanouk Blvd (St 274, between Monivong Blvd and St 63); 250 Preah Monivong Blvd (near Central Market); 43-45 Kampuchea Krom Blvd (at the corner of St 215), +855 23 218352, +855 23 222822 (Sihanouk), fax: +855 23 721368, e-mail: [email protected]. Large barn-style bookstores that primarily offer textbooks and other educational materials. Has a limited library of classic literature. Stationery, technological equipment, athletic products, and souvenirs are also available.
  • Monument Books, 111 Norodom Blvd (Near the corner of St 240), +855 23 217617, fax: +855 23 217618, e-mail: [email protected]. Has the most comprehensive selection of new books in Phnom Penh, including fiction and nonfiction, children’s books, non-English-language literature (such as French and Khmer), periodicals, and newspapers. There is an especially rich selection of literature from and about Cambodia, such as those on Angkor Wat, the Khmer Rouge dictatorship, and Cambodian history. Prices may be exceedingly costly, frequently exceeding the published price, and can be found for less elsewhere in town. However, if the serving staff are awake, you can have a wonderful tea or coffee and cake there, and it’s a lovely spot to drink and read without being bothered. Monument Toys features a selection of children’s toys and activities upstairs. The airport has a branch of the bookstore.
  • The National Museum of Cambodia, St 13, Sangkat Chey Chumneas, Khan Daun Penh (Opposite the Royal Palace), +855 23 211753, +855 12 621.22 (mobile), fax: +855 23 211753, e-mail:[email protected]. Daily, 08:00-17:00, last admission 16:30.The museum has some of the best Angkorian art in the world, including the magnificent figure of the Leper King. And, if you’ve heard the stories, don’t worry: the famed bat colony relocated during the 2002 refurbishment, so you don’t need to bring an umbrella while exploring the displays inside! A tiny range of literature about Cambodian archaeology, art, culture, and history is available. Remember that any money you spend in a Cambodian government-run institution will end up in the pockets of officials. $3.

Clothing and accessories

Tailors manufacture custom made outfits all across the city, but mainly in the Russian Market: a medium quality costs USD12, and a high quality costs USD15.

  • Beautiful Shoes, 138 St 143, Boeung Keng Kong 3 (One street behind the Genocide Museum and about 10 min from Riverside). Excellent custom-made shoes. USD35–60.
  • Close Out Factory Outlet, #44A, St 289. Stock low-cost clothing in huge sizes.

Electronics

  • Apple Computers. Cambodia is an inexpensive location to purchase a MacBook, iPad, or iPod: pricing in US dollars are comparable to other countries, but there is no additional tax. iPhones are only available through special import and from authorized Apple resellers, and they are not cheap. Uniyoung, located near the Central Market, is the top Mac store and repairer.
  • Huawei Phones (Monivong Blvd). Android phones that are reasonably priced and of good quality, as well as Bluetooth speakers.
  • Samsung Phones. Because there is no sales tax in Cambodia, it is a good idea to purchase from one of the only two authorized dealers in Phnom Penh. One is near Central Market, while the other is on Monivong Boulevard. It’s worth noting that Samsung’s one-year warranties are only valid in the nation where you purchase them, as opposed to Apple, which honors warranties globally.

Handicrafts

Artist Street, located immediately north of the National Museum, is home to a variety of unique stores.

  • Cambodian Handicraft Association (CHA), 54 & 56, St 113 (Across from the Genocide Museum). Handmade silk products, jewelry, accessories, and clothes created by women who have been crippled by polio and land mines. If you ask, you may also have a tour of the business, meet the female employees, and see where they learn English. The items are stunning, and the bulk of the silk is derived from a nearby town where it is entirely hand weaved. The artists’ work is sold at the store to pay the project’s operating expenses. They do not get any funding or assistance.
  • Colors of Cambodia, 373 Sisowath Quay. Handicrafts from all around the nation are their specialty.
  • Kravan House, 13 St 178. Has a large selection of Cambodian silk items, including women’ purses, for a fraction of the price of a hotel gift store.
  • Stef’s Happy Painting Gallery, Sisowath Quay (Near St 178, directly under FCC). Brightly colorful, wacky paintings of Cambodian life – a wonderful reprieve after viewing some of Cambodia’s more heartbreaking sites. This exhibit includes some of the most well-known “happy monk” paintings, which can be seen around Phnom Penh.

Marketplaces

  • Central Market (Psar Thmei).The “New Market” is an art deco covered market from the 1930s located near the Riverfront (Sisowath Quay) neighborhood. The market is well-organized, selling anything from flowers to video games. It was recently nicely rebuilt, and the architecture alone is worth seeing.
  • Night Market (Between St 106 and St 108, riverside). F-Sa nights. With numerous food vendors, it’s a good place to get affordable local cuisine. There is usually some live entertainment, although it is largely for locals.
  • City Mall, Monireth Blvd (Near Olympic Stadium). The city’s newest and largest Western-style mall. The mall has a massive Lucky Supermarket, as well as several fast food restaurants and contemporary businesses, mostly catering to Phnom Penh’s increasing middle-class.
  • Olympic Market (Psar Olympic). Olympic Market, which opened in 1994, is a local favorite for those shopping for wholesale textiles, daily clothes, religious artifacts, and traditional Khmer outfits. Buyers should expect significant reductions in this market, particularly if they purchase in volume. The market is well-organized and one of the most contemporary multi-story market complexes. Buyers should certainly check out this market.
  • Russian Market (Psar Toul Tom Poung). The term “Russian Market” comes from the city’s Vietnamese occupation in the 1980s. Genuine designer clothing at a bargain. Many of the manufacturers for Levis, CK, Ralph Lauren, and other labels are located in Phnom Penh; nevertheless, many of the items sold here are considered unacceptable to be transported outside owing to minor flaws and are therefore sold at this market. You may also get cheap imitation Swiss watches and illegal software. It’s not in a typical tourist location, but motodop drivers that cater to visitors will be aware of it.
  • Sorya Shopping Center, St 63 (between St 154 and St 142 near Central Market). The major Western-style mall in Phnom Penh is nearby. By Western standards, Sorya is fairly drab and filled with booths (like a traditional market, a strange juxtaposition). It is air conditioned and has a variety of low-cost fast food restaurants as well as the well-stocked Lucky Supermarket. Don’t leave your motorcycle with the Sorya parking attendants, who have been known to steal helmets and treble parking fees on the spur of the moment.
  • Aeon Mall. The most contemporary shopping mall in Phnom Penh (opened in mid-2014), featuring several brand name and Japanese businesses. There are also various eateries and a 7-screen Major Cineplex Cinema.

Nightlife In Phnom Penh

After nightfall, hang out on St 104, St 278, and St 108 near the St 51 corner, which all include restaurant bars, hostess bars, and guesthouses.

Bars

  • Blue Cat, St 110 (Just off the riverside).Classy pub with courteous service and a vibrant, popular atmosphere that includes free pool and a nightclub upstairs. Cocktails on the cheap.
  • Blue Chili, 36Eo, 178 St (Behind the National Museum),  +855 12 566353, e-mail: [email protected]. One of the city’s most popular homosexual clubs.
  • Eclipse Sky Bar, cnr Monivong and St 232. The tallest sky bar in Phnom Penh, it’s a hidden jewel in the city’s commercial center. The view of the city from the top of the 22-story Hyundai Phnom Penh Tower is breathtaking, and the mild blend of pop music in the background adds to the bar’s calm vibe. Tiger draught beer is $3.
  • FCC and Guesthouse (Sisowath Quay). Looking out across the river. It’s a great spot to meet both professionals and visitors. 17:00-19:00 is happy hour.
  • Le Moon terrace bar, riverside (roof of Kwest). open 5PM to 11PM. This is the city’s first outdoor terrace, which opened in November 2010 and overlooks Phnom Penh’s riverbank bustle. It’s an open-air lounge bar that offers finger appetizers and beverages, including cocktails, and it’s a terrific place to watch the sunset.
  • Liquid, 3B St 278 (Next door to Equinox). Daily, 08:00-late. Polished concrete, a gunmetal grey floor, chocolate leather chairs, and a fantastically illuminated bar offering some of the greatest and most imaginative drinks in town. One of the town’s few slate pool tables. It’s just as much a weekday hangout as it is a weekend one.
  • Rubies, St 240. Young expats working for local NGOs frequent this wine bar. On a Saturday night, it’s crowded and cliquey.
  • The Terrace Pub (Just off the main riverside road, look for the big UK flag on the right side of the street). Pub owned by Brits. USD0.75/beer and a pleasant staff
  • UpDownbar, St 136 (Across the famous 136 Bar). There’s a bar upstairs and on the first level, so it’s a laid-back vibe.
  • Show Box, #11, St 330. A venue for the Khmer contemporary alternative music and art movements that have started to pique the curiosity of visitors to modern-day Phnom Penh. Cheap beer and tasty cuisine. Katy Perry pizza is served on Monday evenings and every other Thursday, with a quiz beginning at 8 p.m.

Live music

  • Equinox, St 278 (Near St 51). One of the best live music venues in town, featuring local and expat bands on a weekly basis. It also has a two-story cocktail bar with monthly art exhibits by local and foreign artists, a game area with a pool table and Phnom Penh’s only bonzini foosball table, hip songs, and decent cuisine. Expats are becoming fond of it. 17:00-20:00 is happy hour.
  • Sharky’s Bar & Restaurant, #126 St 130 (About 3.5 blocks from the “Psar Thmei” (new market)). Sharky’s has been rocking and rolling since its inception in 1995. Above street level, on the first floor. Large area with a massive center bar, an outdoor balcony, and lots of available seats. “Shockeee Bah” will be understood by the majority of moto taxi drivers.
  • Slur Bar, Street 172, near St 51. Live music venue and sports bar. On Mondays, there is an open mic and a weekly concert.

Hostess bars

  • 69 Bar. Popular hostess bar for dancing.
  • Barbados (South of St 104 near the river). Hostess bar. Buy five beers and get one free.
  • Golden Vine, St 108 (next to two other bars Zapata and Enigma). Hostess bar with pool table.
  • Martini Pub & Disco, St 95 (One block off Monivong Blvd, across from the Total Gas Station). A well-known girly bar. 2 full bars, food USD2–6, burgers & fries, pizza, Asian cuisine, gaming room, disco, outdoor big-screen showing movies or sports, gaming room, disco, outdoor big-screen showing movies or sports. There are several imitation Martini bars in other cities, like as Sihanoukville and Siem Reap, but this is the original. A hangout for unmarried guys and free-spirited females.
  • OneZeroFour Bar, St 104. A well-known low-key hostess bar. The bar provides a nice selection of single malt whiskies.
  • One3Six Bar, St 136. A well-known hostess bar. They have a great selection of beverages and keep their 42 Below and Grey Goose in the freezer, so the shots are incredibly smooth.
  • Shanghai Bar & Restaurant (corner of St 51 and St 172),  +855 12804836. 3:30PM-3AM. One of Phnom Penh’s oldest hostess bars, although it’s not aggressive and doesn’t have a bar charge. The downstairs bar offers a superb music selection from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Rooftop patio and first-floor lounge disco. Prices are modest, and a wonderful bargain Sunday roast is available for $6.
  • Pit Stop, St 51. A well-known hostess bar.
  • Sugar Shack, Sothearos St (The street in front of the National Museum and Palace). Elegant hostess bar with an excellent assortment of wines, champagnes, and single malts.
  • Walkabout, St 51. 24/7. Good food and pool tables. A large number of freelancing females gather here. Popular after-hours bar with accessible rooms.
  • Zanzibar, St 104. Expats love this high-energy hostess bar with moderate rates and a pool table upstairs.
  • Zapata Bar, St 108 (next to Golden Vine bar). Elegant air-conditioned hostess bar with a fair selection of beverages but no pool table or food to distract you from the gorgeous girls.

Festivals & Events In Phnom Penh

Cambodia is home to a plethora of traditional and international festivals. Most of them are occasions of great joy for the primarily rural population, many of whom rush to the capital to engage in the festivities and view the coordinated fireworks displays that precede the festivals. It is at these moments when the country comes together with a shared common knowledge of values and customs, and they are eagerly anticipated. Even in times of adversity, individuals strive to make these occasions memorable. All traditional holidays are inspired by Buddhist, Hindu, and royal cultural themes. The following are the most major festivities that take place throughout the year.

National Day November 9

This day commemorates the end of the Khmer Rouge dictatorship and is one of the more recent entries to the festival calendar. However, for many Khmers, it also marks the beginning of the Vietnamese administration, which they perceive as another era of foreign occupation.

Chinese New Year (January or February)

The Chinese New Year is extensively celebrated, particularly in Phnom Penh, due to the high number of individuals of Chinese heritage who oversee many of Cambodia’s corporate businesses and Vietnamese immigrant populations. No Chinese holiday is complete without fireworks, and this time of year is no different, with many rich families planning their own private shows that light up the sky for everyone to see.

Khmer New Year’s Day (Mid April)

This holiday, which is celebrated at the same time as Thai New Year across the nation, symbolizes the turn of the year according to the old Khmer calendar and also marks the conclusion of the harvest done throughout the year. Cambodians adorn their houses to appease the ‘Heaven God,’ and many individuals may be seen on the streets equipped with little bags of water and water guns to ‘bless’ passers-by. This event is one of the greatest times of the year, with joyful smiles on everyone’s face. Cambodians observe International New Year on January 1st, however there are no festivities.

Royal Plowing Day (May)

Cambodia has a strong connection to the Earth and farming, and it is widely believed that the Ox plays an important part in deciding the destiny of the agricultural crop each year. This cultural celebration is held every year in May in the huge park close to the Royal Palace and in front of the National Museum. The King is crucial in driving the Ox and displaying genuine plowing actions in the rice-growing process. The royal soothsayers interpret what the Ox has eaten after he is offered a menu of meals and liquids to devour. Both men and women may be seen dressed in brilliantly colored traditional Khmer costumes during this occasion.

King Sihanouk’s birthday celebration (October 31st)

This festival honoring the country’s powerful ruler takes place in late October or early November. People from all across the nation go to the capital to take part in the celebrations and festivities that take place throughout the city. When the King’s birthday and the Water Festival fall on the same day, there is usually a massive celebration in front of the Royal Palace and along the riverbank. Provincial peasants who would otherwise have no incentive to visit Phnom Penh will save up for this one-time trip to the metropolis.

Water Festival (October or November)

This massive celebration is quite likely the most lavish on the calendar. Over three days, beginning with the final full moon day in October or the beginning of November, up to a million people from all walks of life gather to the banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers in Phnom Penh to see hundreds of brilliantly colored boats with over 50 paddlers compete for top honors. Boat racing stretches back to ancient times, demonstrating the might of the Khmer empire’s formidable naval forces. Brightly adorned floats travel down the river in the evening, preceding and complementing the fireworks displays. A parallel celebration is often held at Angkor Wat, and although it is smaller in size, it is just as magnificent owing to the background of Angkor Wat.

The celebration commemorates the turning of the Tonle Sap’s flow and is also seen as a form of thankfulness to the Mekong River for supplying the nation with lush land and bountiful fish. The river flow reverts to its regular downstream course at this point. The Tonle Sap River flows upwards during the rainy season, then changes course when the rains stop and the massive Tonle Sap lake empties back into the Mekong River, leaving behind large amounts of fish.

Independence Day

This historic event will take place on November 9th at the Independence Monument at the intersection of Norodom and Sihanouk Boulevards. This event commemorates Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953. Flags cover shopfronts around the city, and bunting stretches across all major thoroughfares as a display of national pride.

Stay Safe & Healthy In Phnom Penh

To minimize stomach disturbances, avoid eating cold, raw food, as is recommended in most impoverished nations. Salads are sometimes questionable as well. Ice is normally safe since it is created in factories from purified water.

UNSAFE SEX

In the cross-streets back from the river, there are hundreds of girly pubs catering to foreigners. Freelance females may be found in venues such as Heart of Darkness, Sharky’s Bar, Riverhouse Lounge, and Martini Bar.

One in every eight Cambodian female sex workers is infected with HIV. Over the last decade, NGOs have reduced the HIV prevalence in the general population from roughly 2% to around 1%, but rising liberal behavior, along with misunderstanding of safe procedures, may undo this progress. Condoms are highly recommended.

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