Phnom Penh is the capital and the largest city located in Cambodia. Located in the southern part of the country near the Mekong river, it is a bustling city full of life. If you are into the fast pace environment of a city with tons of culture, this is the place to be in Cambodia. If you plan on flying in this is a great starting point to explore the country. Let’s jump into the best way to spend a day in Phnom Penh!
Flights and Hotels
Cambodia borders Vietnma, Laos, and Thailand. So it is possible to take ground transportation. Some companies are really great at helping you complete border crossings. We chose to fly from Bangkok. For airlines check out AirAsia and SkyScanner. We like to use 12GO and Rome2Rio when looking for a variety of transportation options.
Finding a good place to stay is pretty easy in the huge city. It is also relatively cheap. We used AirBnB to book a room at the Soho Residence. For only $25 a night we had a rooftop infinity pool, kitchenette, small gym, and a great location.
How to Spend a Day in Phnom Penh
The best way to explore a new city is to take a city tour! Due to the high levels of traffic and the lack of traffic laws, this city is not recommended to drive in. Tuk Tuks are readily available and utilizing the app Grab is a great way to get around town. When taking a tour it is possible to get a tuk tuk city tour that will cover many of the most popular sites to see in Phnom Penh.
Palace Tour
The palace is one of the most well known areas of the city. It is still actively being used and you can tour part of it. Check with your tour guide ahead of time as there are certain times of day that the tours do not occur. It is also important to dress appropriately for the palace or they will not allow you in for the tour.
Pagoda
During the tour, there are multiple temples and pagodas to visit. As a visitor there is sometimes a small fee that is around $1 to enter. The pagoda is a stunning place to visit. The art on the outside and inside is beautiful. This portion of the tour is generally pretty quick depending on how long you plan to spend there. Always bring a cover up and be respectful of those actively utilizing the areas for worship. There is usually a few stands outside of the area selling flowers, incense and birds for offerings.
Friendship Monument
History is an important aspect of any country. The monument was placed in 1979 after the Cambodia-Vietnam war. It symbolizes the alliance between the two countries. This was after the Khmer Rouge Regime when the communist regime took power.
Genocide Museum and Killing Fields
A dark history that often is talked about outside of the country is the genocide that occurred in the 70s in Cambodia. During the Khmer Rouge Regime, there was an estimated 1.7 to 2.5 million people killed. That was approximately a quarter of Cambodia’s population at the time. It is believed there are multiple fields throughout the country where bodies have been found. One is located close to Phnom Penh just outside the city.
Inside the city, right in the middle of it all, is an old school. It has now been turned into a museum because it was used as a place of torture before people were taken to the fields. Intellectuals, professionals, religious minorities, and perceived enemies of the state were targeted and executed. They believed that with torture the people would admit to being enemies. At the museum there are audio guides that tell the history of each room and different people who were affected.
It is a very disorienting feeling to explore and old school in the middle of a busy city and know the tragic history. The field that you are allowed to visit has walkways throughout and a lovely pond. There are plaques that state what has been found in each area. In the center is a very tall building. Inside is a tall glass container that is stacked from floor to ceiling with bones. Each is labeled based on age, gender, and injury. Though it is hard to hear about, it is important to know their history and be a witness to all the country has experienced. I didn’t take photos but if you check out the video above, there are portions of our experience.
Other Museums
Throughout the city are a few different art and history museums. This is another great option for learning about the history and culture of Cambodia. Most require an entrance fee. The art is stunning and it’s a great opportunity to get out of the crazy heat.
Take the Guided Tour of Phnom Penh
Our tour included each of these locations mentioned above. They used a tuk tuk to drive us throughout the city while providing great information. A great bonus is that they provide water throughout the day which in those temperatures is truly a necessity. Check out these links below to find a similar tour!
We hope you found this article helpful and we would love to hear about your trip! Drop us a comment with any questions you might have. Want even more info? Check out our other posts!
