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Phnom Penh

Experiential journeys will make you a storyteller
About Phnom Penh

Cambodia is among the top tourist spots and there are numerous tourist places in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. It is the most populous city in the country and thousands of tourists flock in here every year. Cambodia, as a country, is very rich in its culture and the same can be said about Phnom Penh. There are some extraordinary monuments in the city which reflect the richness of their culture. The Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda are a couple of the monumental marvels of Phnom Penh. There are several temples present in Phnom Penh, such as Wat Phnom, Wat Langka, and Wat Ounalom. These temples speak volumes about the religious beliefs of the people and are amongst the top monuments of the city.

 

If one gets bored by visiting historical sites, then there are a number of activities available in Phnom Penh which one can do. Jet Skiing, kitesurfing, zip lining, and hiking are some of the adventure activities available in Phnom Penh. One can also go to the beaches of Phnom Penh, sit back, relax and enjoy on the beautiful white sand along the turquoise water. Phnom Penh is a very beautiful city and is filled with some of the country’s best architecture. Along with great monuments, it offers it, tourists, the ideal vacation as it has the perfect blend of hustle and bustle of the city and the quietness and subtlety of nature. It is a must for every wanderer as the tourist places in Phnom Penh are just amazing.

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Phnom Penh Packages

6 days & 5 nights
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Cambodia Temple Tour Package

INR 49,000
INR 65,334
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INR 16,334
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5 days & 4 nights
4.5
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Glimpse of Cambodia | Group Tour Package

2DSiem Reap
3DPhnom Penh
INR 42,668
INR 53,335
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INR 10,667
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8 days & 7 nights
4.5
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Vietnam Cambodia Tour Package from Mumbai

3DHo Chi Minh
2DPhnom Penh
3DSiem Reap
INR 1,53,999
INR 2,04,899
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INR 50,900
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8 days & 7 nights
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Vietnam and Cambodia Tour Package from Chennai

3DHo Chi Minh
2DPhnom Penh
3DSiem Reap
INR 1,35,320
INR 1,79,975
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INR 44,655
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10 days & 9 nights
4.5
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Thailand Cambodia Vietnam Itinerary 10 Days

2DPhuket
1DBangkok
1DPhnom Penh
2DSiem Reap
4DHanoi
INR 1,03,450
INR 1,37,588
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INR 34,138
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Phnom Penh FAQ's

Travel advice:

  • You’ll need a visa to travel to Phnom Penh. You can easily get a short stay visa online.

  • Never leave your important documents or cash and valuables in the hotel room.

  • Always make sure that you book a hotel or a resort in the bustling area.

  • If you are lost anywhere or someone from the group is lost, you must immediately seek the help of the police.

  • Do not get involved in drugs of any form.

  • Do not get involved in physical or verbal spat with anyone.

  • Don’t flash your valuables in the public area.  

  • Do not hire a guide who is not from a trusted or authentic agency.

  • Never trust any stranger who gets friendly with you in just a short while.

  • Don’t eat food off the street vendors.

  • Carry with you a copy of your licenses and passport.  

  • Don’t let anyone in the city misguide you. Acquire sufficient information before heading to a new place.

  • Dress appropriately.

  • Nudity is strictly prohibited here.

  • Do not film or do videography without the legal permissions.

  • In case the banner or sign says, ‘No Photography’ obey it.

  • Avoid traveling alone in the night hours.

  • Do not go around with too much cash during the night hours.

  • Take a comprehensive travel and medical insurance before traveling.

  • Keep the touts at bay.

Drinking laws

The legal age for drinking in Phnom Penh is 21 years.

Our Recommendations: What You Can’t Afford To Miss?

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Before undergoing transformation, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was only a Tuol Svay Pray High School. Khmer Rouge converted the place into an interrogation and an execution center. The museum is also known as the S-21 Prison. Over 17,000 Cambodians entered the notorious venue however only 7 managed to survive by the end of the regime.



Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

Set adjacent to each other the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda it sprawls over an area of 174,870 square meters. This place is predominantly known for its Khmer architecture and forestry surroundings. The visitors can explore a number of buildings located within the palace ground at US $6.50 or take a guided tour for US $10. Situated in the Sisowath Quay, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda is a must visit for all. Other attractions of the palace are Moonlight Pavilion and Throne Hall.

Ta Phrom Temple at Tonle Bati

The Ta Phrom Temple at Tonle Bati has been in existence since the late 12th century. The temple features several well preserved bas-reliefs and stone carvings of the Hindu mythology. It is similar in style to the Siem Reap’s Angkor Wat and is located only an hour’s drive from the city center. You’ll have to pay a minor entrance fee of US$3 to visit here. This makes it the most convenient and affordable option for the travelers staying in the capital of Cambodia. Other sightseeing attractions of Tonle Bati include Tonle Bati Lake, Yey Peo Temple, and more.  


Killing Fields

Choeung Ek Memorial or the Killing Fields is a spine chilling reminder of the tragic history of Cambodia. Situated about 17 km from the south of the Phnom Penh City it is one of the several killing fields or the burial and execution grounds that were used by the the Khmer Rouge regime during the period ranging from 1975 to 1976-7. You can take a half day tour to this memorial. It is an important place to see in Phnom Penh City.


Independence Monument

Independence Monument is situated in the heart of the Phnom Penh City Centre. It is an iconic landmark that is also known as the Vimean Ekareach. The monument signifies the liberation or rather the independence from the French who ruled the nation between the period from 1863 to 1953. As a result of this, the colorful celebrations of the national festivities like the Constitution Day celebrated on 24th September and Independence Day celebrated on 9th November are celebrated here with great vigor. The best time to visit the monument is during the night time when the surroundings are illuminated by white, red and blue flood lights.


Wat Ounalom

Wat Ounalom offers the tourists with an in depth look into the history, teachings and philosophies of the Buddhist of Cambodia. It is also one of the oldest and the most prominent of the 5 pagodas of the country. The shrine is a home to more than 500 monks and stocks within it a collection of more than 30,000 titles before they were removed from here by the Khmer Rouge regime


Wat Langka

Lying in close proximity to the Phnom Penh’s Independence Monument is the Wat Langka. It was founded in the year 1442 by Ponhea Yat. This flamboyant shrine was established as a library of Buddhist scriptures. It also happened to be a meeting place for monks of Sri Lanka and Cambodia. However, during the Rouge’s two-year regime, Wat Langka was used as a store house. The stupas here are in excellent condition and the entry to the temple is absolutely free of cost. Do take part in the meditation sessions here that are largely supervised by the English-speaking monks.  


National Museum of Cambodia

National Museum of Cambodia is the largest cultural and archaeological history museum. It helps you catch the glimpse of the cultural side of the history of Cambodia. Dating back to the 4th century, the museum is housed with an imposing red sandstone structure. National Museum of Cambodia was inaugurated in the year 1920 as the Musée Albert Sarraut. This museum stands out as a phenomenal illustration of the traditional Khmer architecture. The museum has over 14,000 exhibits that are arranged in accordance with the prehistoric, pre-Angkor, Angkor, and post-Angkor eras. Each of these is constituted of the wooden and bronze sculptures, stone articles, ceramic items, wooden sculptures and ethnographic items. The most spectacular exhibis here is a statue of Lord Vishnu which is eight armed and has been in existence since 6th century.


What you will like here?

Cambodian Living Arts

Cambodian Living Arts is an NPO. It hosts traditional Khmer and Apsara dance performances at the National Museum of Cambodia. The performances can be seen on weekends, Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 PM onwards. Tickets for the performances are priced at US$ 15. Khmer dance that you’ll see here has been in existence since the 18th century. However, it was somehow lost during the Khmer Rouge regime. This cultural center retailed its art by gathering the surviving master artists to train and further pass on this knowledge to the younger generation. The crew and performers here largely comprise of the musicians and singers performing in the traditional Khmer costumes performing the 8 classical dances of the 8 different minorities from across Cambodia. Enjoying the performances here is an important thing to do here.


Shopping at Central Market (Phsar Thmey)

Shopping at Central Parket can be a great pastime for every traveler. For anyone who wishes to buy anything right from the local handicrafts to the women’s clothing, jewelry, flowers and the handicrafts, head to the Central Market. The collection here is authentic. It is top rated in quality and is also priced affordably.


Cheapest Massage
You can be assured of enjoying the best spa treatment in Phnom Penh. A solid massage can be availed at a price as low as $ 10.


Holidays

Cambodia has a massive amount of national holidays. Wikipedia lists 18 of them which may seem a modest number to you but the number of holidays they celebrate is way more than this. So, holidays naturally mean celebration. You too can take part in this celebration with the locals and enjoy your holidays.


Monsoon

The rainy season of Phnom Penh usually falls between May and goes on till September. Rains here are beautiful and only amplify the beauty of the place. Planning a trip during this time can be a great idea.


Best Iced coffee

Phnom Penh definitely serves the cheapest and the best tasting iced coffee in the world. It comes in a plastic bag for 50 cents and is ravishing.


Cheapest Beer

Beer in Phnom Penh is actually cheaper than water. Of course this isn’t true everywhere across the country or for every beer but there are a number of places and number of beers where beer can be availed for dirt cheap prices. A bottle of water here is priced at $1 whereas the can of Anchor can be availed at 50 cents. Interesting, no?


Nightlife

Right from dancing your pants off to a casual chit chat session in the beer garden, whatever you prefer, Phnom Penh has on offer. The nightlife gets really crazy here. Do, visit any popular club or restaurant and have a gala time.


Recommended Reads For The Destination

When is the best time to visit Phnom Penh?

Phnom Penh is a very pleasant city and people can visit it throughout the year. The weather conditions in Phnom Penh is not very complex as there are only two seasons here, the dry cool season and the wet hot season. The month wise break up for the best time to visit Phnom Penh are:

November to April- This is the time where the majority of the people come to visit Phnom Penh and crowd the city. The weather is a bit dry and cool during this time making it a pleasant time for the people to visit. Temperature is always around the 24 degree Celsius mark during these months, making it ideal for the tourist to enjoy.

May to October- These months account for the rainy season of Phnom Penh. Along with the heavy rainfall, the temperature also rises which results in very hot and humid conditions. These conditions are not ideal for tourists and therefore the tourism drops during this time. If one wants to enjoy Phnom Penh at a cheap price and without any crowd, then this is the perfect time for them.

How to reach Phnom Penh?

Cambodia receives a lot of tourism around the year. Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia and therefore becomes the first destination for tourists coming to Cambodia. People come to Phnom Penh from different ways as it is a well-connected city. The ways to reach Phnom Penh are:

  • By Air- Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia, making it necessary for the city to have an airport. Phnom Penh has the Phnom Penh International Airport and people can reach this city by boarding a flight.
  • By Road- Phnom Penh is very well connected by the rest of Cambodia by road. One can get to the city by the roadways built in and around Phnom Penh. They can either hire a cab or drive themselves to the city.
  • By Water- Phnom Penh is one of those rare cities which has a well-developed waterway system also. One can board a ferry from Chau Doc of Vietnam and reach Phnom Penh.

What are the things to do in Phnom Penh?

Cambodia, as a country, is very rich in its culture and its history. Phnom Penh also reflects this richness in history and culture and has several sites which depict it. There are several activities also which one can do in Phnom Penh. Few things which one can do here are:

  • Sightseeing- The rich culture of Phnom Penh can be seen in the monuments and architectural marvels of the city. Phnom Penh is filled with such monuments and temples.
  • Shopping- One of the most important aspects of going on a vacation is shopping. People always shop when they go out on a vacation. They try to find things which will help them relive the trip. There are many markets present in Phnom Penh which sell few of the world’s best clothes and accessories.

• Activities- Cambodia, as a country, is very inclined towards sports and can do several activities in its capital, Phnom Penh. One can go for kickboxing or go-karting. They can also go on cyclical tours and explore the nature.

What is the local food of Phnom Penh? Which are the best places to taste this food?

Everyone enjoy themselves when they are out on a vacation and the excitement of the trip increases manifoldly if the place where one visiting has amazing food. Cambodian cuisine is mouth-watering and it has the perfect blend of spices and subtlety. Few of the local food of Phnom Penh are Khmer Curry, Pork and rice, Chicken Skewers and pho. The best places to try these foods are:

  • Sihanouk Boulevard
  • Street 9
  • 52D Street 123
  • Street 360

What is the best public transport to commute around Phnom Penh?

The roads of Phnom Penh are very well developed and therefore the public transportation system is also pretty efficient. Numerous people travel in the public transports of Phnom Penh every day. Tuk Tuk is a unique transport in Phnom Penh. It is basically a motorcycle attached with a carriage and is the most popular mode of transport among tourists. Cyclo or pedicab is a very popular mode of transport here. It is ideal transport for a person who wants to enjoy the sites of the city. One can also book a cab to commute around Phnom Penh.

What is the local language in Phnom Penh and which are the most commonly used greetings?

Cambodia is not a very diverse country and the residents of this country generally speak the same language. The official language of Cambodia is Khmer and it is the most widely spoken language in the country as well as in Phnom Penh. Some of the most common greetings in Khmer are:

Hi- Suostei

Good morning- Aruon suostei

Good afternoon- Rsiel l

Good night- Reatrei suostei

Which are the best shopping places in Phnom Penh and what are they famous for?

Cambodia hosts thousands of tourists every year. One of the most important itinerary for a person is shopping. Phnom Penh has several places where one can go and shop. Some of those places are:

  • Aeon Mall- This mall has been built very recently. One can get almost everything they can think of in this mall. It has some of the best brands in the world and, one will surely exceed their budget if they start shopping here as the collection here is exceptional.
  • Central Market- These markets help in maintaining the culture of a place. The Central Market is one of the most crowded markets in Phnom Penh and can find everything here.
  • Phsar Kandal- Phsar Kandal is a local market of Phnom Penh held in a street of the city. One can find amazing things here. Products here can be bought at very cheap prices if one has the skill to bargain.

What are the famous cruising destinations in Phnom Penh?

Cruise is the perfect way to relax for a family. It is the most romantic tour for a couple and a fun ride for kids. Cruises give people the best time of their lives by providing them some luxurious services. The famous cruising destinations in Phnom Penh are:

  • Ho Chi Minh City
  • Siem Reap
  • Silk Islands
  • Oudong

Where can I do adventure activities in Phnom Penh?

There are some really pretty sites which one can visit in Phnom Penh but one might get bored of just visiting places. Phnom Penh allows people to have fun by offering various adventure activities. The activities which are available in Phnom Penh are hiking, jet skiing, kitesurfing, etc. and the places where one can do these are:

  •    Kam-Air Wakepark
  •    Koh Rong Island
  •    Angkor Wat

Which are the best nightlife experiences in Phnom Penh?

It is often believed that the nightlife in Phnom Penh is not that good, but contrary to popular belief, the nightlife here is amongst the best in the country. People can really enjoy themselves here at night. Some of the best places to experience the nightlife of Phnom Penh are:

  •    Eclipse Sky Bar
  •    Pontoon
  •    Loco Bar
  •    Riverhouse

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