Cambodia, Phnom Penh: hotels, attractions, tourist reviews. Monsoon rains in summer. When is the season. When is the best time to go

After reading a huge number of reviews about the capital of Cambodia, the city of Phnom Penh, we were determined that we would end up in a dusty, smelly anthill, in which instead of air we would inhale exhaust fumes, cover our noses from dust with a gauze bandage, endure unbearable heat, stand in traffic jams and listen to constantly honking cars . Crowds of poor old people and dirty children walk the streets in Phnom Penh, begging you for a van dollar ... And as a result, only poverty turned out to be true from the above. It is not everywhere, but it is enough to notice even in the center. On one of the streets, beggars sat and lay on almost every meter of dirty asphalt.

Two dirty little girls even ran up to us, and we, refusing to give them alms, quickly hurried away from this green street. Just don’t think that we squeezed 10 rubles, just in such a place, if you get the money, then in a second a dozen more of the same children will come running who will literally pounce and climb on you to snatch the money. Slava, due to his inexperience in Vietnam, once wanted to give change to the children, and at that moment they tried to snatch everything and attacked him, then we barely fought back.

In addition to poor people, cripples often come across. They mainly work on the main attractions such as the Royal Palace and National Museum.

Royal Palace in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh National Museum

We certainly would not want to live in such an environment for more than a few days. It is unpleasant, pitiful and nervous to look at the poor and disabled, knowing that you still will not improve their lives, and no one will help them. I don’t even know what circumstances can force a person to settle down to live in Phnom Penh. From our point of view, those who are truly interested in Cambodia should go here.

From afar they thought it was a temple, but it turned out to be a state institution

Phnom Penh will be of interest to those who want to see not only Cambodia. Each city, though not cardinally, but significantly differs from each other. Phnom Penh is not a fashionable capital with skyscrapers.

Although, we still spotted one skyscraper in Phnom Penh

Condominium under construction

In this city, beginning modernity borders on ancient temples, and the cleanliness of European regions borders on dirty streets.

I think if you plan to visit Phnom Penh for the sake of show, then we do not recommend going to it. There will be more frustration than pleasure. But, if you want to get to know the culture and history of Cambodia better, to understand at least a little what the Khmer people have experienced, then come. See temples, museums. There are enough of them here.

What to see in Phnom Penh

Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas

Temples in Phnom Penh are literally at every turn. All of them are made in the national Khmer style. In popular tourist places, as a rule, the entrance is paid. Tickets from 2 to 6 dollars. For our own, we have already seen enough of a lot of temples, so we didn’t go to everything in a row, but we still examined a couple:

Phnom Penh city center

We were surprised that in the center of the capital many buildings are made in the French style. Cozy balconies with flowers, colorful neat houses, and below cafeterias and restaurants with French prices.

Mekong embankment

Embankment in Phnom Penh

Monuments and monuments

We saw two main ones - the Monument of Independence and Friendship of Cambodia with Vietnam. We bought a magnet with the image of the first as a keepsake.

Independence Monument in Phnom Penh

Monument of Friendship between Cambodia and Vietnam

Russian market

We went to the Russian market, breathed in full chest the stinking smell of fish and meat. We ran out of there 5 minutes later.

Night market

We accidentally went to the Night Market, bought a couple of souvenirs, wanted to eat, but somehow there was nothing appetizing for us. Read more about the market in the article:

Institute of Arts

Royal University of fine arts is a functioning university in the center of Phnom Penh. On its territory under open sky You can see unusual compositions made by students from metal and stone. The entrance is free. Details and photos in the article:

Genocide Museum

It seems that there is nothing terrible in these peeling buildings, but in this place it can make you shudder. Especially if you know that it was a concentration camp 40 years ago. More:

Phnom Penh Genocide Museum

Non-tourist areas

Getting from one attraction to another, you always pass or drive through places that are not shown to tourists. We are interested in every city to see how ordinary people live.

Pharmacy in Phnom Penh

Having walked around the city, they themselves were convinced that Phnom Penh is not an anthill, as many claim. And there is no dust here, from which it is impossible to breathe. Is that on the outskirts of the city in the slums.

On the embankment opposite the Royal Palace, you can feed the pigeons. Not free of course

Let me eat

Rather, Moscow can be called a gassed anthill. Yes, there are a lot of cars and bikes in Stump, but not so much that there are traffic jams and nothing to breathe. In two days of traveling on foot and by tuk-tuk, we never stood and did not see any traffic jams. And there is no heat here in September, there is no dust so that it is difficult to breathe, and then clean off the plaque from the face. By the way, we had a raid of dirt on our face after an hour walk around Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.

Terrible traffic jams in Phnom Penh

Glitter and poverty in the capital of Cambodia

Would we like to visit Phnom Penh again? Our answer: no. There is nothing to do there, there is little infrastructure for life. Plus, beggars and tuk-tukers endlessly offering their services do not contribute to a positive mood. We didn't even find a decent supermarket. There is simply nowhere to buy water in the city center, you need to go to guest houses or hotels and buy at the reception. Although, they did find one - the Pensil supermarket, the largest one that we came across in two days.

Pencil supermarket

Should I go to the city of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia? If you are in the kingdom, then I think it is worth going on an excursion to Phnom Penh. Or on your own, at least for a couple of days. This time is enough for your eyes to see all the most interesting things in Phnom Penh. In a few days you will not have time to get tired of the noisy city, as some put it up, but to which it did not seem to us at all. You can stay in Phnom Penh both in an expensive decent hotel and in a budget guesthouse. We chose and did not lose.

Geography

The city of Phnom Penh is located in the southern part of the country and is surrounded on all sides by the province of Kandal. The landscape of the city is represented by plains typical for the country, plantations with rice and other agricultural crops. There are also three major rivers- Tonle Sap, Bassak and Mekong.

When these three rivers cross, they form an "X", and it was at the place of their confluence that the city was built. Rivers are a natural source of fresh water and other resources. Geographical coordinates Phnom Penh cities: 11°33"N, 104°55"E The city covers an area of ​​375 square kilometers (145 square miles), with 11,401 hectares occupied by urban structures and 26,106 hectares by roads. The area of ​​agricultural land is 34,685 sq. km (13 sq. mi), of which 1,476 sq. km (365 acres) are served by the local irrigation system.

Climate

Cambodia has a tropical climate - warm and humid. Due to the fact that during the monsoon season the country receives a large amount of rainfall, this is a favorable place for growing a variety of crops. tropical climate makes Cambodia an ideal place for tourism development. The country is not directly affected by tropical storms, and travelers do not need to fear natural disasters - volcanic eruptions or earthquakes.

You can go to Cambodia at any time of the year. However, in the last two months of the rainy season, some roads become impassable, which can affect your plans. average temperature is about 27°C, and the minimum is 16°C. The coolest months are December and January, while the hottest month is April.

Cool season: November-March (22-28°C)

Dry season: March-May (27 -35°C)

Rainy season: May-October (24-32°C, humidity up to 90%)

The temperature in the city varies from 15 to 38°C. The city is exposed to tropical monsoons. The monsoons blow from the southwest, bringing rain from the Gulf of Thailand and indian ocean during the period from May to October. During the dry season (November to March), monsoons from the northeast dominate here. From September to October in Phnom Penh falls the largest number rainfall, and the driest period is in January and February.

Economy

The double-digit economic growth of recent years has sparked a veritable economic boom with the construction of new hotels, restaurants, bars and residential areas. Numerous cultural and historical sights of Phnom Penh make the city a very popular tourist destination. The city's economy is based on the production of clothing, trade, small and medium-sized enterprises. The real estate sector has been booming in recent years: real estate prices continue to rise. Investors from Korea, Indonesia and Cambodia are investing in the construction of two satellite cities in the vicinity of Phnom Penh. The investment project for the construction of the city of Kamko is estimated at more than $200 million and will be completed by 2018.

Because between Phnom Penh and neighboring countries direct budget flights run, people often come to Phnom Penh both for leisure and for business. The network of city hotels is constantly expanding.

The province of Kandal, surrounding the city of Phnom Penh, serves as the so-called "economic belt" of the capital. For example, in 2007 Cambodia was ranked the world's sixth largest exporter of clothing, and most of the tailoring industries are concentrated in the Kandal province. This industry creates jobs for half a million Cambodians and generates $0.3 billion in monthly wages. In 2007, large volumes of exports of agricultural products were also recorded - palm oil, peanuts, rice, pepper and others.

On July 31, the project to build the Longing Resort Leisure Park in Kandal Province was terminated. This happened due to the fact that its territory was illegally expanded, which posed a threat to the security of the capital. According to the Asian Development Bank, Cambodia's economic growth rate was 9.5% in 2007 and 9% in 2008. At the same time, according to the Cambodian government, this figure was 7% each in 2007 and 2008.

How to get there

Phnom Penh can be reached by domestic or international flights, as well as by land or water from neighboring provinces. Getting to Phnom Penh is quite easy. Despite the fact that due to the economic growth of recent years, traffic in the city has become increasingly busy, you can drive from one end of Phnom Penh to the other in less than 40 minutes.

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport, you can take a taxi or motorcycle taxi. There is no meter in such taxis (this system is just being introduced). For a 20-30-minute ride to the city center, you will have to pay $7. A ride in slower and less comfortable motorcycle taxis will cost $2. A regular taxi from the city to the airport costs $5-$7. Since you can get stuck in traffic during rush hour, allow 30-40 minutes to get to the airport.

Phnom Penh's ferry pier is located on Sisowat Quay, 104 Street. Upon arrival in Phnom Penh by river, you can immediately get into a taxi waiting for you at the pier. A motorcycle taxi ride to hotels in the city center will cost 1,500 - 3,000 riels, and $3-$5 by regular taxis.

You can order a taxi through your hotel or tourist agency, as well as independently find a car along Monivong Boulevard. Taxis do not have a meter or a special sign. A car with a driver can be hired for the whole day for $20-$30. The minimum cost of a trip is $2-$3.

Short - and long-term rental of vehicles

The ubiquitous motorcycle taxis are the most common and fastest way to get around the city, but their level of safety leaves much to be desired. Motorcycle taxis get into accidents and become the objects of robberies much more often than ordinary taxis. A motorcycle taxi ride costs 1,000-4,000 riels, and for the whole day you will have to pay $6-$10. Prices go up in the evening.

Some guest houses (for example, Capitol) offer their guests bicycle rental services for $ 1-1.5 per day. Bicycle shops are concentrated at the intersection of 182 and 107 streets. In them you can buy a used bike for $30-40 or sell yours for $20.

A motorbike can be rented for $3 - $5 per day. Tourists are usually offered sports bikes of 250cc (for $10-13), although they are too powerful and heavy for slow traffic within the city. In the city it is better to ride a 100cc motorcycle, and for bumpy roads around Phnom Penh, a 250cc motorcycle is ideal. The chaotic traffic within the city makes driving very dangerous and stressful. Outside the city, the quality of roads varies considerably. If you still decide to go, then move slowly, the holder of the right side. Always wear a helmet and remember that medical services are very difficult to get here.

Ho Wah Genting offers passenger transportation services in comfortable air-conditioned buses. You can get on or off the bus at any point along its route. Buses depart at intervals of 15 minutes to 1 hour and run daily from 6 am to 6 pm. The bus station is located on the corner of the central market of the city. bus route No. 1: Koki, Khien Svay, Neak Luong. Route number 2: Tahmao, Takeo. Route 4: Kampongspy, Sihanoukville. Route number 5: Oudong, Kampong Chhnang. Route 6: Rau Kakong, Kampong Cham. Near the central market (southwest corner) is the largest bus station in the city. Sorya buses will take you to almost any place in the country, to which an asphalt road leads. Compared to others bus companies Sorya uses older buses, but they still have air conditioning and comfortable seats. Prices are reasonable (about $1 for 70-80 km).

The humble cycle rickshaw is the most romantic and practical way to get around the city, but not as safe as a car, and not as fast as a motorcycle. But in the rainy season, this method of transportation is much more convenient. Often the price of a cycle rickshaw ride is twice the price of a taxi ride, but remember that this is still manual labor.

Where to eat

Although Cambodia is considered one of the poorest countries in the world, Phnom Penh offers tourists a wide range of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets, from noodle and market stalls to fine, expensive Western European-style restaurants. Even guest houses often have restaurants serving, among other things, American breakfasts, Khmer and Chinese dishes.

Most of the restaurants catering to tourists and foreigners are lined up along the banks of the river near the Royal Palace. For example, 278th Street (near the Independence Monument) and Boeng Keng Kang 1 are littered with local and foreign restaurants. On 93rd Street you will find bars and restaurants with more affordable prices.

It serves mainly Khmer dishes, as well as fresh fruit shakes and juices from October to May. The restaurant is located on the first floor of the Mittapheap Hotel, on the corner of 174th Street, next to the school and Wat Koh.

This famous bar and restaurant is especially popular with journalists. It is located on the second floor of a beautiful colonial-era building with an open balcony offering scenic views of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. Excellent selection of quality traditional dishes Western European cuisine, as well as the best pizza in town. There are also photo shows and exhibitions. The prices are high. Address: 363rd Street, by the river.

This restaurant on 278th Street is a branch of the very popular Garden Center Caf restaurant and serves the same excellent Western European dishes - steaks, ham, baked salmon, burgers. It also offers Asian dishes and a large selection of salads and vegetarian dishes. Home cooking, generous portions. Relaxing, calm and friendly atmosphere.

This restaurant is in a great location. Great selection of coffees, teas and muffins. Salads, sandwiches on homemade bread, vegetarian options, breakfasts (scrambled eggs, pancakes, French toast, muesli and much more). green Park and the Independence Monument. Exhibitions are also held here. There is access to WiFi. 56th Street, Sihanouk Boulevard (near the Independence Monument).

This is an authentic classic restaurant serving Thai and Khmer cuisine at reasonable prices. Pleasant interior. A fairly large selection of high quality dishes, including vegetarian ones. Address: 130th street, right next to the river.

Where to stay

There are definitely places to stay in Phnom Penh, with the number of guesthouses and hotels on the rise. Here you will find hotels for every taste - from primitive rooms with fans to luxurious suites. Regardless of when you arrive in Phnom Penh, you can easily find a free room. However, keep in mind that the cheapest numbers sell out quickly. If you arrive in the morning, then your chances of getting an inexpensive room are higher. If you intend to stay for a couple of days, then you can ask for a discount in guest houses and mid-range hotels.

If your budget is limited and you are looking for a cheaper accommodation, head to the Lake Side area, near the only lake in Phnom Penh. There you will find big variety budget guest houses offering rooms for $1.5-10 per night. Also, this lakeside area is known for its picturesque sunsets, which can be admired from one of the wooden piers.

shopping

Around the main market building are stalls selling krams (red and white plaid scarves), stationery, household goods, sarong fabrics, flowers, and second-hand clothes (usually from Europe and the United States). Photographers have a place to turn around in the departments with fresh products. The Central Market is undoubtedly one of the best markets in Phnom Penh. This market offers the largest selection of clean food products. The market is open from early morning until early evening.

Foreigners call Tuol Tom Pong the Russian market. It is located on the corner of 400th and 163rd streets, south of Mao Tse Tung Boulevard. This market offers huge selection souvenirs, including genuine and fake antiques. They also sell Buddha figurines, silk, silver jewelry, precious stones and much more. T-shirts, pants, jackets and shoes can be bought inexpensively. The Russian market is definitely worth a look.

Despite the similarity of the name, this market should not be confused with the Russian market. Psar O'Russey is located in a huge yellow building that looks like shopping mall. The market is located near the Capitol Tours building, east of the Olympic Stadium, next to Monivong Boulevard. Here you will find a wide variety of goods, especially gourmet foods, costume jewelry, imported toiletries, clothing (both new and used), and electrical appliances. The market is like a labyrinth with hundreds of small stalls filled with a variety of goods. If you want to visit a traditional Khmer market, then this is the place for you.

For the first time, the city became the capital in 1431, when the king Ponya Yat, who ruled at that time, who fled from the Thai defeat, moved the capital from Angkor Thom. The stupa at Wat Phnom holds the remains of Ponya Yat and the royal family.

Phnom Penh remained royal capital for 73 years from 1432 to 1505. Then he was abandoned by subsequent kings for 360 years due to the struggle for the throne. The capital moved several times and was either in Srey Santhor, then in Pursat, then in Lovek, then in Oudong.

Only in 1866, during the reign of King Norodom I, Phnom Penh became permanent place the location of the government and the capital of Cambodia, as well as the site in which the Royal Palace was built. Beginning in the 1870s, the French colonial authorities turned the village on the river into a city in which they built hotels, schools, prisons, barracks, banks, offices, a telegraph office, courts and hospitals. In 1872, the modern city first took shape when the French contracted the contractor Le Faucheur to build 300 stone houses to sell and rent to Chinese merchants. Everyone knows the building of Psa Thmey (New Market), built by the French.

By the 1920s, Phnom Penh was already known as the "Pearl of Asia", and continued to develop rapidly in the next forty years, especially with the construction railway to Sihanoukville and Pochentong International Airport. Phnom Penh's infrastructure underwent a thorough modernization under Sihanouk's reign.

During the Vietnam War, Cambodian territory was used for bases by the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong, and thousands of refugees poured into the city from across the country, fleeing fighting between government forces, the North Vietnamese army, South Vietnamese forces and their allies, and the Khmer Rouge. By 1975 the city's population was already around 3 million, most of whom were refugees. The Khmer Rouge took the city on April 17, 1975. Most of the residents were evacuated to labor camps in the countryside. The Tuol Sleng High School was turned into the S-21 prison by the Pol Potites. Pol Pot wanted to return the country to an agrarian economy and his machine eliminated "extra" people - political opponents, nat. minorities, Buddhist monks and just educated people. Many people died of starvation as a result of the failure of the economic model of an agrarian society - Cambodia sold rice to China in exchange for weapons. Prison S-21 is now the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, displaying Pol Pot torture instruments and photographs of their victims. The victims were killed in the killing fields at Cheng'ek, 15 km from Phnom Penh, and buried in ditches. Now this place is also a memorial to the victims of the regime.

Cambodia! How long have I dreamed about it and finally the dream came true. Today I want to talk about one of the most important and, in my opinion, controversial cities in Cambodia - its capital city of Phnom Penh (Phnom Penh). In the post I will share information about what is worth seeing in Phnom Penh, where it is better to stay and where you can eat deliciously (the last one is our personal fad ☺).

It's worth starting with the fact that Phnom Penh is still less tourist-oriented than Sihanoukville, Siem Reap, Kep or Kampot. Nevertheless, the status of the capital of Cambodia leaves a certain imprint.

It is believed that Phnom Penh was founded in 1372. According to legend, the nun Peng saw the trunk of a lumbang tree floating down the Mekong, in the branches of which something gleamed. When she pulled the trunk closer to the shore, she saw that 5 Buddha statues were entangled in its branches: 4 bronze, they shone, and one stone. Most likely they were washed away during the flood of the Mekong from one of the many temples of Laos, which is just upstream of the river.

With the support of local residents, an impressive hill (phnom) was poured, on which Peng erected an altar and installed Buddha statues that sailed along the Mekong. Later, Wat Phnom Temple was built on this site, which today is one of the main attractions of Phnom Penh. Thus, it turns out that the name of the city of Phnom Penh stands for hill (phnom) Stump, or as she is more often called Mother Stump. Phnom Penh - Mother Stump Hill.

But in historical records, one can also find earlier mentions of a settlement in this area, although it was called Krong Taktomuk, which in Khmer means "City at the confluence of four rivers." This is not entirely true, because if you look at the map of Phnom Penh, you can see that it is located at the confluence of three rivers: the Mekong, Bassak and Tonle Sap. But they converge with the letter X, so, indeed, there is a feeling that four rivers “converged” in Phnom Penh.

How to get to Phnom Penh

By plane

Phnom Penh are the main air gate Cambodia. Here, or rather in 7 km from Phnom Penh, is the largest international airport in Cambodia. Its former name is Pochentong International Airport. Unfortunately, direct flights from Russia to Cambodia could not be found. Although, according to unverified information, there seem to be charters from Novosibirsk. To select cheaper air tickets, you can, for example, use the search from Skyscanner. But from nearby countries or inside Cambodia, you can fly to Phnom Penh literally for a penny, and if you also pay for everything with a card, then it’s completely free.

By bus

Cambodia has a highly developed bus network. There are big Shuttle Buses, there are minivans. Prices vary depending on the type of transport, the reliability of the company and the greed of agents.
Approximate prices for buses to Phnom Penh:

• Sihanoukville-Phnom Penh - from 10$
• Kampot-Phnom Penh - from 5$ . Travel time is about 3 hours;
• Siem Reap-Phnom Penh - from 7$ . Travel time is about 7 hours;
• Bangkok-Phnom Penh - from 20$ . Travel time is about 15 hours.

By taxi

They often offer taxi services. The most common route is Sihanoukville-Phnom Penh. Average price - 50$ . This is, of course, the most convenient way, and if you go with a small company, then the price is not much more expensive than the bus.

By speed boat

This option is available only in the direction of Siem Reap-Phnom Penh-Siem Reap and, unfortunately, only in high season. This pleasure is worth the average 35$ from a person. Travel time 6-7 hours.

But, I repeat once again, you can ride with a breeze across the water surface from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh only in the high season, when there are enough customers to pay for the boat. Although, for 1500$ you will be delivered individually without any problems - but this is still a slightly different story.

Where to live in Phnom Penh

As I wrote above, Phnom Penh is not as heavily focused on tourists as other major cities in Cambodia. There are several districts in Phnom Penh, with good developed infrastructure for guests of the capital. They are concentrated mainly around the main attractions of Phnom Penh: the Royal Palace and the National Museum. We stayed a little away from them at the Okay Guest House.

Nice place to stay for a couple of nights.

Pros of Okay Guest House:

• convenient location;
• breakfasts are included in the price, although they are very modest and mediocre, but nevertheless it is very convenient;
• Friendly staff;
• Spacious rooms;
• Acceptable price;
• As a bonus, we were presented with a free walk along the Mekong at sunset. Considering that the usual price of such river cruise 5-6$ per person.

Cons of Okay Guest House:

• "tired" rooms, some of them did not interfere with at least cosmetic repairs;
• Water cuts (during our stay we had to change our room because of this. Twice!);
• Pretty slow internet
• It is not possible to buy a room without breakfast;
• There is no option to pay by card, only cash;
• Poor hotel restaurant.

In general, I can not say anything particularly good or bad. With an average price of 13$ for a spacious room hot water and air conditioning is a good option where to stay in Phnom Penh.

Getting around Phnom Penh

We didn’t find any options for renting a motorbike, and we didn’t really want to - the traffic on the streets of Phnom Penh is much more active than in Sihanoukville or Kampot. True, there is an option to rent a bicycle - but still this is a very dubious pleasure.

Tuk-tuks are the main way to get around Phnom Penh. You don’t particularly need to look for them, as soon as you leave the hotel, museum or cafe, you are surrounded from all sides with sentences “Knock-knock, seer ?!”. Minimum price — 3$ , below it we could not bring down the price for the trip even once.

ATMs in Phnom Penh

There are no problems with ATMs in Phnom Penh. One of them was right on the same street as our guesthouse. We preferred to use another, which is located not far from the National Museum of Cambodia. For some reason, he inspires more confidence in us. But this is subjective. In any case, before inserting a card into an ATM, you should carefully examine it for overlays, Velcro, cameras and other inventions of the Kulibins, who wished for the glory of Ostap Banner.

It is most convenient to withdraw money in dollars. Withdrawal fees are the same as elsewhere: up to 399$ — 5$ , from 400$ before 1000$ — 6$ . More 1000$ ATMs don't usually dispense cash at a time.

A little hack! We usually withdraw not round amounts. Those. Not 400$ , A 390$ (the withdrawal amount must be a multiple of 10). What does it give us? Exchange! With this approach, you will immediately have not only hundred bills, but also 10-20, which is very convenient - you don’t have to run and look for where to change money.

Where to eat in Phnom Penh

But with the question "where to eat" in Phnom Penh, we had problems. Most places did not inspire much confidence, and if we did decide to eat in them, the food turned out to be either frankly tasteless or, even worse, this was followed by indigestion, well at least not strong. Through trial and error, we have formed a list of only two places where it is really tasty, and in addition, very atmospheric. We agree that we just need more time to search, well, there is, that is:

Muse Cafe

This place is our absolute favourite. Here they prepare bomb sandwiches, make delicious coffee, including cold coffee.

The interior is also very nice, conducive to sit and relax from the madness going on outside the cafe. Very good location - right in front of the National Museum of Cambodia.

Nice smiling staff with good English. Adequate, even more than, prices, especially in the price-quality ratio. In general, you will be in Phnom Penh - we recommend visiting this wonderful institution.

Shangri La

This is a Japanese cafe, located a little away from the main hiking trails. The menu is represented mainly by Ramen soups in various interpretations. Portions are huge. Feel free to order one dish for two. Given the size of the dish, the average price per 6$ for the dish, and its taste - we can safely recommend the cafe Shangri La as a great place to have a tasty and satisfying lunch.

Important nuance: The kitchen is open by the hour. For example, lunch time from 11:00 before 15:00 What you can eat here at other times, unfortunately, I do not know.

History of Phnom Penh

As I wrote above, 1372 considered the founding year of Phnom Penh. For the first time, it became the capital a little later - in 1431, before that the capital of the Khmer Empire was angkor thom, which is now part of the world-famous complex angkor.

The transfer of the capital was a forced measure: Angkor Thom was captured by the Thais and the king Ponya Yat, ruling at that time, fled from there to Phnom Penh, where the royal court settled right up to 1505. At this time, the protracted games of thrones began, which stretched as far as 360 years. During this time, the capital of Cambodia, at that time the Khmer Empire, managed to visit Udong, Srey Santhor, Pursat and Lovek.

The status of the capital was returned to Phnom Penh only in 1866, during the reign of King Norodom I, the ancestor of Norodom Sihanouk, after whom Sihanoukville is named. Norodom moved the government to Phnom Penh, and also built the Royal Palace, which until now, with the exception of the Khmer Rouge period, remains the official residence of the royal family of Cambodia.

Gradually, the city developed, not without the participation of the French, who actively colonized Cambodia, and to 1920 Phnom Penh has gained fame as the “Pearl of Asia”. And with the construction of an international airport and a railway linking the capital with Sihanoukville, Cambodia in general, and Phnom Penh in particular, became part of a large Asian tour that many respected gentlemen aspired to make before starting a family and, so to speak, entering adulthood.

But, unfortunately, all good things come to an end sooner or later, and in the history of Phnom Penh a truly black streak began - the Vietnam War and the Khmer Rouge regime. During the existence of Democratic Kampuchea, and this is the name Cambodia received during the reign of the Khmer Rouge, about 3 million people were killed, despite the fact that the entire population of Cambodia was no more than 7 million!

These were truly dark times for Phnom Penh, from a rapidly developing city, it turned into a place where torture camps were set up in schools, people were tortured, entire families and villages were slaughtered, and those who were objectionable were killed without trial or investigation. Today, evidence of these atrocities in Phnom Penh is Fields of Death And Tuolsleng Genocide Museum one of the most heartbreaking places we've ever visited.

The incredible efforts 1979 Pol Pot's regime was overthrown and the city began to gradually recover, but unfortunately, it is unlikely to reach its former greatness.

Attractions Phnom Penh

Here is the most complete information about the most iconic sights of Phnom Penh: how to get there, opening hours, ticket prices, clothing recommendations, related facts and our impressions of visiting them.

Just want to draw your attention to the fact that Phnom Penh is far from the capital of tourist attractions in Cambodia. A rare tourist stays here longer than a couple of days, and, frankly, in Phnom Penh for more than two days and there is not much to do. But back to the sights of Phnom Penh: here, in addition to the standard temples, museums and palaces, you can visit two absolutely creepy to understand modern man places - a museum of genocide and killing fields, real-life illustrations of the atrocities that Cambodia experienced during the Pol Pot regime.

Independence Monument

A point on the map:
Working hours: around the clock;
Visit cost: for free.

The monument was built in 1958, in honor of the 5th anniversary of independence from France, which Cambodia received in 1953.

The monument itself resembles a classic Khmer lotus-shaped stupa, with obvious references to the buildings of Angkor Wat.

This monument is the center of social life in Phnom Penh. Festive festivities are organized on the square in front of it, and a fire is lit inside the “corn”.

Royal Palace

A point on the map:
Working hours: With 8:00 before 11:00 and with 14:00 before 17:00 ;
Visit cost: for foreigners - 10$ .
Dress code: If you are in a T-shirt or a topic, then just throwing a stole over yourself will not help, you need clothes “with sleeves”. Unlike the Royal Palace in Bangkok, the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh does not rent clothes, but they sell huge white T-shirts to cover up shame for sure ☺.
Divorce: comrades tuk-tukers, who graze in huge numbers on the entrances to the palace, will be happy to tell you that it does not work, but they know many other interesting places where they will be happy to take you. In 90% of cases, such statements are just a scam in order to invite you to your tuk-tuk, so you should not trust them too much, check it yourself - it's not difficult.
Advice: it is better to visit the Royal Palace closer to closing, as there will be less people there, since the main groups are brought to the opening in the morning and immediately after lunch.

The architectural complex of the Royal Palace was built in 1865 and since that time, with the exception of the period of Khmer Rouge rule, is the official main residence royal family of Cambodia. Yes, do not be surprised, Cambodia is a kingdom, or rather a one-party parliamentary monarchy.

The most significant are the following buildings on the territory of the palace:
Throne room:

Silver Pagoda (Temple of the Emerald Buddha):

The Silver Pagoda used to be called Wat Ubozot Ratanaram. The official name of the temple is Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morakot, but it is usually called Wat Preah Keo for short. Well, the Silver Pagoda or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are unofficial, but convenient for tourists, names.

During the reign of King Norodom Sihanouk, the floors of the temple were covered with huge silver panels (hence the popular name - silver pagoda) with a total weight of more than 6 tons. Whether they survived after the Khmer Rouge regime is difficult to say, since now the floors in the temple are covered with worldly-wise best years carpets, and what is under them is unknown.

The second name, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, thanks to the Buddha figurine made of French crystal Baccarat(glass manufactory Sainte-Anne, Baccarat, France), XVII century, which is kept in the pagoda.

From the point of view of the history of Cambodia, the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh is certainly an important and iconic place. But from the point of view of a traveler who has visited at least Thailand and been there in, the Cambodian Palace is unlikely to make a strong impression on you.

In addition, the watchman syndrome blooms here: the entrance to many halls and pavilions is blocked by ribbons, a bunch of guards, each of whom has his own personal idea of ​​​​what is possible and what is not, etc.

On the one hand, the Royal Palace is a must see in Phnom Penh, but it didn’t make much of an impression on us, but the price of tickets seemed too high for an attraction of this level. We rather experienced disappointment from his visit.

National Museum of Cambodia

A point on the map:
Working hours: With 8:00 before 17:00 ;
Visit cost: for foreigners - 10$ , audio guide (optional) — 5$ , photo permission - 1$

The National Museum of Cambodia is the largest museum in the country, moreover, under the auspices of the government Department of Cambodian Museums, it manages other state museums in the country. The National Museum of Cambodia has an extensive collection of Khmer art, including sculptural, ceramic, bronze and ethnographic exhibits, and it is constantly replenished.

The National Museum of Cambodia was built on the initiative of the historian and lover of Khmer art Georg Grosler ( 1887-1945 ). he is also the author of the project and the main patron of the museum. The grand opening took place in 1920 on the eve of the Khmer New Year with the participation of such dignitaries as the King of Cambodia Sisowat I, the French Governor Francois-Marius Baudouin and many others.

Before 1951 the museum was under the control of the French colonial authorities. After independence in 1953 the museum became the subject of bilateral agreements between France and Cambodia. During the Khmer Rouge regime, the museum was closed, all its employees were repressed, and many exhibits were destroyed or stolen. The museum building itself and its territory were hit hard: many ceilings, walls were destroyed, the yard was overgrown and the jungle was getting closer.

The National Museum of Cambodia reopened to the public October 13, 1979. In my opinion, this museum will be of interest only to those who are deeply interested in the art of Cambodia. For an ordinary tourist, its exhibits will most likely seem very similar and get bored pretty quickly.

The presented exposition reminded us of something, although, perhaps in terms of price-quality ratio, that exposition was even more interesting.

Temple of Wat Phnom

A point on the map:
Working hours: With 8:00 before 18:00 ;
Visit cost: for foreigners - 1$ ;
Dress code: Shoulders and knees must be covered.

Wat Phnom is also called the Temple on the Mountain. the Mountains) or Pagoda on the mountain (Mountain Pagoda). I already mentioned this place above, it is the Temple on the mountain that is considered the "heart" of Phnom Penh.

Do not expect anything extraordinary from this temple. A simple stupa, a park with shady paths.

The most precise definition I can give to this place is cute.

Ounalom Temple (Wat Ounalom)

A point on the map:
Working hours: With 6:00 before 18:00 ;
Visit cost: for free;
Dress code: Shoulders and knees must be covered.

Ounalom Temple This is the main Buddhist temple in Phnom Penh. Moreover, it is a very important temple for Buddhists all over the world.

The fact is that the Ounalom temple was built in 1443 in order to preserve the hair from the eyebrow of the Buddha, which is kept there to this day.

During the reign of the Khmer Rouge, the Ounalom temple was heavily devastated, and the monks living in the monastery at that time were brutally killed.

After the overthrow of the regime, the temple was completely restored. Now there are 44 buildings on its territory. In addition, the Ounalom temple is the residence of the patriarch of one of the Buddhist movements Mahanikaj (Mahanikaj).

Of all the temples in Phnom Penh, Ounalom made the strongest impression on us. One feels that this is a living temple, and not just a popular tourist attraction. It is also indicative that only here the caretakers and ministers completely lacked the aforementioned “watchman syndrome”: go wherever you want, look, sit, walk, pray - and it works, somehow everyone themselves tunes in to the correct attitude towards the shrine, people, the world . Ounalom Temple- a definite must see in Phnom Penh.

Embankment (Sisowath Quay or Riverside)

A point on the map:
Working hours: around the clock;
Visit cost: for free;

Wide sidewalks, a view of the Mekong - and here you have a favorite place for the promenade of both visiting tourists and the local population. The length of the walking area is several kilometers.

On the other side of the road is the popular tourist area Riverside with many bars, cafes and hotels.

Mekong River

More precisely, we are not interested in the river itself, but in a cruise on it, because a cruise on the Mekong is one of the mandatory points of the tourist program in Phnom Penh.

Boat locations:
Working hours: from dawn to dusk, the most popular is a sunset cruise in 17:30 ;
Visit cost: from 5$ ;

Mekong- this is the most big river on the territory of not only Cambodia, but the entire Indochina peninsula. Its length is 4500 km, and the area of ​​the basin is 810 thousand km².

During the cruise, you can enjoy wonderful views of Phnom Penh. See old houses. And the skyscrapers that replace them.

Cruise on the Mekong is a very, very pleasant way to brighten up an evening in Phnom Penh.

Lotus Bloom Temple (Wat Botum Vathey)

A point on the map:
Working hours: With 7:00 before 18:00 . This seems to be official working time, but in fact, you can get there only with your grandmother-caretaker, so the temple's working hours directly depend on her;
Visit cost: for free;
Dress code: Shoulders and knees must be covered.

Another iconic temple for Cambodia and Phnom Penh. It was built in 1442 and is considered one of the oldest. The original name of the temple Wat Tayawng, A modern name Temple of the Lotus Bloom Wat Botum Vathey) he received in 1860 in memory of the original site of the temple, located on a small island in the middle of the lotus lake, from where it was moved to its current location during the reconstruction.

The ashes of famous political and historical figures of Cambodia, as well as members of the royal family, are kept on the territory of the temple.

When visiting the temple, the old caretaker conducts a small ceremony, in return it is supposed to leave some donation, the amount of which you set yourself. My grandmother does not speak English, but she shows everything very expressively, so it is quite easy to understand the general meaning of her explanations.

After visiting the Temple of the Blooming Lotus in Phnom Penh, there is a feeling of lightness, peace. This is one of the most pleasant temples in Cambodia.

Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument

A point on the map:
Working hours: around the clock;
Visit cost: for free.

Architecturally, this monument does not represent anything interesting, but given its location, and it is located in the park just opposite the Temple of the Blooming Lotus, you can take a look at it with at least one eye.

In addition, it reflects important point in the history of Cambodia. This monument, built in the late 1970s, commemorates the friendship between the Khmer and Vietnamese peoples after Vietnamese troops helped defeat the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot.

Since once again we are talking about Pol Pot, it's time to talk about the two most creepy, but at the same time, iconic sights of Phnom Penh, directly related to him and his regime - Tuolsleng Genocide Museum And Fields of Death. Moreover, it is better to watch these two places in conjunction.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or S-21 Prison

A point on the map:
Working hours: from 8:00 to 11:30 and from 14:30 to 17:30;
Visit cost: for foreigners - 5$ , audio guide (optional, no Russian language) — 3$ ;
Dress code:
Important: on the territory of the museum of the genocide in Cambodia it is forbidden to laugh and talk loudly;
Advice: the genocide museum is best visited on the same day as the killing fields, first the museum, then the killing fields.

The museum is located in the Tuol Sleng prison building ( Tuol Sleng), also called S-21 or Secret Guarded Site 21.

Before becoming a prison for hundreds of prisoners, this building was a school, whose students and teachers were among the many victims of this terrible place.

Those prisoners who managed to endure the torture were also unlucky - they were sent to the "Killing Fields" and killed there. More victims of prison 14,000 people, and only came out alive from behind the walls 8 people!.

There are not very many exhibits in the museum, mainly paintings and photographs of the victims. But this place makes a depressing impression. It is very difficult to be there, many cry. I would not advise children and people with a vulnerable psyche to visit Tuolsleng prison at all.

In general, this is a very strong place, in a negative way, but still. It raises many questions, in particular, how could such atrocities be happening in the second half of the 20th century? Who benefited? Who financed the Pol Pot regime?

visit secret facility 21 made Sergei and I want to learn more about this bloody period in the history of Cambodia and write a separate post about Tuolsleng prison And Fields of Death.

The Killing Fields

A point on the map:
Working hours: With 7:00 before 17:30 ;
Visit cost: for foreigners - 3$ , plus an audio guide — 3$ . At the entrance there is information that the ticket costs 6$ , but they give out two tickets: one for the entrance, the second for the audio guide. Theoretically, you can refuse the audio guide, but I do not recommend it, because the audio guide will help you get deeper into the spirit of this place. The audio guide is also presented in Russian.
Dress code: nothing bright and provocative, appropriate modest clothing;
Important: on the territory of the Killing Field Museum it is forbidden to laugh and talk loudly, although you are unlikely to have such a desire;
Advice: the genocide museum is best visited on the same day as the killing fields, first the museum, then the killing fields. Since the Killing Fields are in 17 km from Phnom Penh, the most convenient way to get here is by tuk-tuk. A tuk-tuk trip from the center of Phnom Penh to the killing fields and back, with a stop at the genocide museum, will cost 20-25$ , depending on your bargaining skills.
Comment: I would not recommend visiting the killing fields for children and people with a vulnerable psyche.

The Killing Fields is one of Phnom Penh's tourist calling cards, its iconic "landmark". I put the word "attraction" in quotation marks, since the hand does not rise to write about this place as if it were an ordinary tourist attraction.

In these fields, the prisoners of the Tuolsleng prison and other "enemies" of the people and the regime found their last shelter. The suicide bombers were brought here at night blindfolded, and many were also promised that they were not being taken to be executed, but to a new home. Good house, do not say anything. People were beaten to death (saving cartridges) and thrown into the pits, without checking whether the person died or not, and sprinkled with chemicals on top to finish off and bring down the cadaverous smell.

In Cambodia, about 300 such killing fields, and this near Phnom Penh is considered one of the largest - the remains of more than 8000 people, including women and children.

Visiting the Killing Fields near Phnom Penh is even more depressing than the genocide museum. The tour is built perfectly, as in a good performance or a piece of music: emotions are pumped up, pumped up, and here you are standing at the “magic tree” listening to the march in your headphones that resounded from it day and night and you see the marks that remained on it from numerous children's heads , split on its trunk ... Monstrous!

In terms of the strength of emotions, the Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum are among the most important attractions in Cambodia. Although, I repeat, it is very difficult to call them just sights.

I would not like to end the story about Phnom Penh on such a sad note, so I will tell you some useful information about where and what you can buy in Phnom Penh.

Shopping in Phnom Penh

I must say right away that after visiting the n-th Asian country, Serezha and I were no longer attracted to local bazaars and night markets. But since they are also attractions of a kind, it is impossible not to mention them.

Central Market (Central Market, Psar Thmei)

A point on the map:
Working hours: 11:00 before 14:00 .

The Central Market is a place where both locals and tourists shop. Here you can buy both food and consumer goods, as well as a jeweler, spices and some unique things. With quality, of course, you will not guess, and you will have to bargain notably. If it's close to you, you'll love it.

Russian market (Russian Market, Psar Toul Tom Poung)

A point on the map:
Working hours: sunrise to sunset, lunch 11:00 before 14:00 .

The market got its name because of the large number of Russian buyers in the 80s of the last century. Today, it is immensely loved by tourists from all over the world who want to shop in Phnom Penh.

Night Market

A point on the map:
Working hours: from sunset to 22:00 , most active from Friday to Sunday.

The night market is a favorite evening entertainment for locals and tourists alike. In order to buy some fried spider bugs, local souvenirs, etc. - You can't find a better place.

Aeon Mall

A point on the map:
Working hours: With 10:00 before 22:00 .

If you miss civilization, you need to update your wiring, buy decent clothes or something like that - you are in the Aeon shopping center.

Here you can find clothes of various international brands, many restaurants, a cinema and a lot of all sorts of activities. After we lived for 3 months, one might say, in the village, it was interesting for us to plunge into this paradise of a shopaholic.

Summing up my story about Phnom Penh, I want to say the following:

• Phnom Penh did not make us want to stay or come again, a couple of days to see the main sights of Phnom Penh is more than enough;
• In Phnom Penh, we had problems with food, it was difficult to find establishments with delicious dishes;
• The main attractions, with the exception of Tuolsleng Prison and the Killing Fields, are grossly overpriced and not worth the money spent on them;
• It can be seen that Phnom Penh is developing and, in principle, it will be interesting to see what it will turn into in a couple of years.

- these are the most interesting places in the capital of Cambodia, visited local residents and tourists. Phnom Penh is the capital and most Big City Cambodia, according to residents, is once again becoming beautiful city as it was before the Khmer Rouge came to power. I knew about him from history a very long time ago. And although the popularity of this Asian metropolis, compared to much more famous ones, is not at such a high level, however, many tourists come and fly to the Cambodian capital to get to know the culture of the country better. What to see in Phnom Penh? There are many different sights here. This is a royal palace complex and historical colonial buildings, Buddhist temples, beautiful views and a picturesque promenade, this is traditional Khmer cuisine, an unforgettable Apsara show and a rich night life. And also the unique spirit of the country and interesting shopping. And all this is located in one city, about my impressions of visiting the most important sights of which I will tell you in this article.

I flew to Phnom Penh from Bangkok with my girlfriend during ours. We planned to see the Cambodian capital and the most significant places in it. It turned out that there are so many interesting things here! Each of them evokes conflicting feelings, because among them there are classic Buddhist shrines, bustling Asian markets with all their pluses and minuses, as well as evidence of recent history that is nightmarish for perception. civil war and genocide. And they all left an imprint on the face modern city and we will remember for a long time.

You can move around Phnom Penh, as well as, on foot or by motorcycle taxi (the fare costs $ 1). Another option is to book a car or tuk-tuk. We walked a lot, and sometimes ordered a driver from the hotel when we had to travel far.

Unlike, they are located not so far from each other and all of them can be seen in one day by making a walking route through the central part of the city. After all, the distance between the furthest is no more than 3 km. Only the Genocide Museum is off to the side, and the Chuong Ek Killing Field is generally out of town. We went there for the whole day. Thus, two days may well be enough to see Phnom Penh.

I recommend to come for at least two full days, but it is better to set aside half a week. So you can take your time to explore the Cambodian capital and relax a bit. And you will see former capital Oudong of Cambodia, as well as several pre-Angkorian temples in Takeo province.

Map of Phnom Penh with attractions

The main attractions of Phnom Penh

I decided to highlight the seven most important, in my opinion, the sights of Phnom Penh.

1. Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

I especially liked the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. This is the current residence of the King of Cambodia, built by King Norodom in 1866. Then they decided to move the capital of Cambodia to Phnom Penh from Oudong. Many important ceremonial buildings are open to the public. Big interest evokes the Silver Pagoda, where the king meets with the monks and important royal receptions are held. It also contains the main relics of Cambodia. The Emerald Buddha was once kept here.

On the outside palace complex French influence (especially on beautiful gardens), and the style of the Royal Palace in Bangkok was borrowed during its construction. However, it has its own unique atmosphere.

It is best to come here in the morning, while it is not very hot and there are few tourists. You can easily spend two or three hours in the Royal Palace.

• Address: Embankment (Sothearos Blvd), intersection of streets 240 and 184.
• Opening hours: from 7.30 to 11.00, from 14.00 to 17.00
• Ticket price: $6.25 or 25,000 riels.

Read more:

Gardens around the Throne Room of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh

2. National Museum of Cambodia

Located next to the Royal Palace. It is impossible to pass by this magnificent building if you are walking along the embankment of the Tonle Sap River. The building of the National Museum is bright burgundy, it can be seen from afar. All the most important artifacts relating to the history of the country are collected here: there are about 5000 Angkor exhibits alone! This museum is famous for the fact that here you can see the original famous statue Leper king or bronze Vishnu of the 11th century. Also in its halls is a huge collection of post-Angkorian Buddha statues.

And every day at 19.00 in the garden of the National Museum you can watch the traditional performance of Apsara dances. The cost of the presentation is $15.

• Address: intersection of 13th and 178th streets, next to the Royal Palace.
• Opening hours: every day 8:00 - 17:00
• Ticket price: $5

Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the museum.

Building of the National Museum

3. Wat Phnom

This not very high hill, on top of which the operating Wat Phnom pagoda is located, played a significant role in the history of Cambodia. It was on this spot that the city of Phnom Penh was founded in the 16th century, named after a hill (phnom) and a woman named Penh.

The present temple was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century. On the territory there is a small stupa, a vihan, inside which a fortuneteller works, and a statue of the king of Angkor Poney Yat, who decided to move the capital from Angkor to the southeastern region of the country.

Wat Phnom is really nothing special. It is worth seeing only if you have a special interest in the history of Cambodia. We spent 15-20 minutes there.

• Address: intersection of Boulevard Norodom and street 96.
• Ticket price: $1.

Wat Phnom stupa and seven-headed naga at the foot of Phnom Penh's main hill

4. Embankment of the Tonle Sap River

Residents of Phnom Penh are very fond of their promenade

In the most beautiful place in the city center is the Tonle Sap riverfront. It occupies a very large and important place in the life of the inhabitants of the capital of Cambodia. It is here that all the main attractions of Phnom Penh are located - the Royal Palace, the National Museum. 178 Street leading to the museum is known as Art Street, where you can buy the best souvenirs made by skilled craftsmen - from paintings to silk products. To the north, from the embankment, a street leads to Wat Phnom, and to the south, you can see how the Tonle Sap River merges with the great Mekong.

I have visited the waterfront several times. In the evening it is quite noisy and crowded here - almost all the inhabitants of Phnom Penh come here for a walk. Small temples are open for prayers and offerings, food stalls treat everyone, musicians play and entertain tourists in the hope of making money. I was curious to observe the daily life of the Cambodians. And in the morning on the embankment you can meet the dawn. And there are noticeably fewer people.

You can also ride a beautiful boat along the Tonle Sap River. This will diversify your leisure time in the capital of Cambodia. Such a cruise lasting several hours costs from $20. Prices depend on the duration and number of tourists. Boats depart from the pier near Wat Phnom and the Old Market.

Cruise on the Tonle Sap River

Quite a traditional market, Psar Thmei, however, surprises instantly. It is located next to Norod Boulevard. When you approach it, you see a large yellow art deco building. In translation, its name means " new market". However, among tourists, the name "central market" - central market - has taken root more. You can buy everything at Psar Thmey - from jewelry to clothes, from souvenirs to food. Be sure to go shopping here. My friend Paula chose her skirt very carefully and was very pleased with her purchase.

• Address: intersection of streets 130 and 63.
• Opening hours: from dawn to dusk

Psar Thmey is a fashionable building of the central market of the capital of Cambodia

6. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh serves as a memorial to the bloody and insane Khmer Rouge regime. They turned the school building into prison S-21 - a place for imprisonment and torture. During the reign of Pol Pot in the late 70s of the XX century, a huge number of innocent people were systematically tortured here. Trying to extract the necessary confessions, the Khmer Rouge kept people here for months in intolerable conditions. Over 17,000 people were taken to the Choung Ek Killing Field for execution. Only a few managed to survive.

I think it's an emotionally difficult place to visit. But acquaintance with him is necessary for understanding the history of Cambodia.

• Address - intersection of streets 113 and 350
• Visiting time: 8.00 – 17.00. have a lunch break
• Admission fee: $3