Cambodia, Phnom Penh: hotels, attractions, tourist reviews. What should tourists know? Districts. Where is the best place to live

The ticket cost $19 and the journey took about 10 hours. On the same day I wanted to go by bus to Vietnam. I had about five hours for sightseeing in Phnom Penh. I specially chose a flight in order to also see the city, about which at that time I knew absolutely nothing.

Phnom Penh - attractions, photo, description

Phnom Penh was founded in 1372. Located at the confluence of 3 rivers. It is the capital of Cambodia (the old name of Kampuchea), with a population of over 1.5 million people. Its name comes from the shrine founded by Mrs. Peng, a wealthy widow who pulled a log with five Buddha statues out of the river. For them, a temple was built on a hill - Wat Phnom Don Penh or temple on the hill of Mrs. Penh, which to this day is the most important and revered in Phnom Penh. People settled around the temple and the city of Phnom Penh gradually grew.

The most important sights to visit are the Wat Phnom Temple, the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda in it, the National Museum, the Independence Monument. But back to travel.

I left a heavy backpack with the guys in the booth where I bought a ticket, asked some questions and walked along the nearby streets. You need to choose a place for breakfast, of which there are plenty of them in Asia at every turn. Right on the street by the road, tables are set up and food is prepared, not to mention numerous cafes and restaurants. For a long time now I have not disdained to eat in these street places, although sometimes I want something more decent. Near the place where the bus arrived was the so-called Russian Market or Russian Market - it sounded amazing, but I was not interested, I was not going to buy anything, so as not to carry extra weight. Therefore, I went the other way and went to a beautiful temple on a hill.

Temple Wat Phnom

Wat Phnom is the most important temple in Phnom Penh. I felt it right away by the pleasant good energy. The temple is located on a hill overgrown with trees 27 meters high. A wide staircase decorated with sculptures of lions and snakes led me to the temple square, where they let me release swallows from my hands to make a wish, for a small fee of course. For the first time, I succumbed to this, deciding that there was a lot ahead, naturally, first looking at the temple from the inside. Buddha statues are kept there and it is very beautiful. I didn't know then that this Wat Phom temple was built in 1373 and is the main place for making wishes for many believers. Therefore, they sell a lot of swallows there. You just choose the bird you like from the cage, make a wish and at that moment release the bird into the sky - very romantic in my opinion. And the bird is happy too 😀 Inside the temple is also very beautiful. There is a massive stupa in which the ashes of King Panya Yat are kept - he came here in 1434 and began to build the city of Phnom Penh. Before that, there were only small settlements.

Then I hired a motorcyclist and went with him to see the city and the Royal Palace.

There were few cars and in general, the city produced on me good impression. The French are great, for they have made their significant contribution. After all, Phnom Penh is a city built by the French and is located at the confluence of three rivers - the Mekong, Bassak and Tonle Sap, which divide the city into three sectors.

Silver Pagoda and the Royal Palace are the main attractions of Phnom Penh

royal residence or palace complex, on the territory of which is located Silver Pagoda, and National Museum next to it are undoubtedly the main attractions of the capital of Cambodia. I arrived just in time for the opening, bought a ticket and went to the very heart of Phnom Penh.

In the territory palace complex the famous Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace, the Throne Hall, where coronations and various ceremonies take place, the official Royal residence, the Napoleon pavilion and other noteworthy buildings are located. It is very beautiful in here.

Particularly impressive is the Silver Pagoda or Wat Preah Keo Morakot, originally built of wood in the Cambodian style between 1892 and 1902, later rebuilt in brick and reopened in 1963.

Whole The floor of the Silver Pagoda is covered with 5329 silver tiles, each weighing 1125 grams.! Hence the name. The ceiling and walls of the pagoda are covered with paintings, and many valuable items immediately remind you that you are in royal territory, because many of them are a gift from the king.

It houses 1650 Buddha sculptures made of gold, silver and other valuable materials. The most significant are the gilded statue of the Emerald Buddha of the 17th century, located on a golden pedestal, and the statue of Maitreya Buddha made of gold. The golden Buddha statue is made of a piece of gold weighing 90 kg and encrusted with precious stones and diamonds, the largest of which weighs 25 carats! A 20 carat diamond is placed on the Buddha's chest. It is strictly forbidden to take pictures inside, but I still hastily took one photo. May the Cambodians forgive me, but I can show you.

It is also believed that the ashes of the Buddha, brought here by monks from Sri Lanka in 1956, are stored here, at least Buddhists believe that this is so. Monks don't live here - it's more like a pantry of royal gifts.

On the territory of the royal residence, you can also see the Throne Room, where coronations and official royal ceremonies take place. Royal Dining Hall, Chan Chai Pavilion. Another pavilion of Napoleon and a stupa.

The complex is surrounded by a gallery, the walls of which are painted with frescoes in traditional style and reflect scenes from the Khmer epic. The length of the paintings is 642 meters along the perimeter and 3 meters in height. 40 artists worked on them in 1903-1904.

To my great regret, I did not manage to get to the Royal Palace, because the King held some kind of meeting there, all the time while I was here, my time is not rubber, it is slowly ending.

I didn’t get to the National Museum of Cambodia either, although its interesting brick-colored building is located nearby and beckons with its architecture, but it was time to go. But I looked at a small museum nearby, also interesting.

The National Museum of Cambodia is located next to royal residence, has more than 14,000 exhibits - the world's largest collection of Khmer art from prehistoric times to the fall of the Khmer Empire. The building of the National Museum looks very interesting. It was built in the period 1917-1920, in 1968 it was reconstructed.

What else to do and see in Phnom Penh

Independence Monument - built in 1955, after the country gained independence from France in 1953.

Visit the central market, built in 1937, and the so-called Russian market or Tuol Tampung - it is popular with antiques collectors, souvenirs and clothes are sold here, and they say that there is more choice. For branded clothing, also here.

On the street, the same motorcyclist caught me and took me back to my backpacks. And on the way, as usual, I take pictures of something. This is a spacious and pretty embankment of the Mekong River.

I came back to the booth where I bought a bus ticket, took my backpack and they took me to another part of the city, from where the bus left for Vietnam, more precisely, to the city of Ho Chi Minh. I had 30 minutes left to buy something to eat on the road and I went to Vietnam.

On the way, I had to take a ferry across the largest river in Indochina - the Mekong River, and while we were waiting, I took a photo right through the glass of the bus.

How to get to Vietnam from Cambodia by bus and the schedule from Phnom Penh to, Vietnam, as well as to local settlements, you can see

Well, I continued my independent journey through Asia and went from Phnom Penh to the city - click on the link and read the following article.

Our magical 3 months in Nha Trang flew by unnoticed, which means that we need to go for a visa run, get new visa. We decided to go to Cambodia!

How to get to Phnom Penh?

From Vietnam by bus

Cambodia is easily accessible from Thailand or Vietnam. We drove from Nha Trang to, and from there to Phnom Penh.

Bus tickets were taken online long before departure, back in China, before arriving in Vietnam (when entering Vietnam, you need to show return ticket before the visa expires). The cost of the Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh ticket is $14.

You can buy a ticket from Vietnam to Cambodia online, see the schedule and office addresses there.

One of the offices is located right in the center of Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), where buses from Nha Trang arrive. Office of the company that sells tickets Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh

If you buy online, then upon arrival in Saigon, you need to go to the Mekong office and print tickets. Flights from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh

At 3 pm we got into a minibus, very comfortable, soft leather seats, air conditioning, Wi-Fi (though weak).

It took less than 3 hours to reach the border. The border was not impressive at all. Everything is somehow frivolous, artisanal ... Some “man” who does not speak English jumped out of somewhere, took our passports, charged us 35 dollars per person for a visa and left on a bike.

What? Where? Where? When and why?

We were a little confused and did not understand anything. Nobody really explained anything. Nobody spoke English properly. Nevertheless, “by gestures” they explained to us that we need to get on the bus, we will be waiting for our passports at the entrance to the Cambodian border.

Indeed, our passports were safe and sound, with a pasted visa, they were given to us at the entrance to the border. The procedure for passing, fortunately, is very fast, there were almost no people.

Very surprised a large number of casino directly abroad.

This is where we got stuck. For 40 minutes we almost just stood there! Until it got completely dark. Ahead of us were trucks filled with... people! Packed with people!!! I saw it before with a load, I had a chance to see with cows, with some other livestock ... but so that people were transported like this !!

We arrived in Phnom Penh at almost 10 pm, rather tired.

The bus arrives at the embankment street and stops near the Mekong office (see map)

How to get to Phnom Penh by plane

A ticket from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh costs about 80-90 dollars (~ approx. 6000 rubles per person)

You can buy them using the form below:

Flight time is approximately 1 hour versus 6-7 hours by bus.

Eat and sleep

We initially booked a hotel in the center, near the bus station, but after we realized that it was still 15-20 minutes to go, we decided to stay and find a guesthouse nearby.

Before we had time to get off the bus, we were surrounded by tuk-tuk drivers who offered to take us and find a cheaper room for us ...

There are a large number of hotels and, to be honest, we chose for a long time.

We went to Hummus Lebanese restaurant for dinner. Delicious! Potato baked with cheese, tomatoes and pickles and pizza with cheese.

Surprised! You can pay as local currency(rials), and in dollars. Even tuktuks are accepted in dollars!

You can get a tuktuk for $3 (although they charge $5 initially). We had dinner for $14.

We decided to find a hotel closer, SunDance. We checked in late, the owner (American) gave us a bigger room for the price of a small one ($17 instead of $25). Not a bad room, downstairs a bar with billiards, upstairs it's quiet and you can't hear anything.

What to see in Phnom Penh

First of all, we made inquiries about the city:

The capital of Cambodia has about 1.5 million people. The city was founded in 1372 by a nun named Stump. I know it sounds a little funny in Russian, but in Khmer it seems to be normal. She was walking along the banks of the Mekong River and saw something shiny. It was a log with Buddha statues on it. A hill was erected for these figurines (hill in Khmer “phnom”), and the city arose there. Literally, the city is called "Mother Stump Hill". The capital was moved many times. During the Khmer Rouge, under the leadership of Pol Pot (named after the leader "Pol Pot"), it was marked by brutal bloodshed - millions of people were killed - Pol Pot wanted to build an agrarian country.

I liked the architecture of Cambodia - very much beautiful temples with golden iridescent curved roofs shining in the sun.

The Royal Palace was built in 1866, and to this day it is the residence of the King of Cambodia. Here is the Silver Pagoda, the throne room, the elephant pavilion, the Chan Chai pavilion, the villa of Napoleon III.

The Silver Pagoda was built and donated to the King by Napoleon III in exchange for a voluntary protectorate.

Opening hours: from 7:30 to 11:00 and from 14:30 to 17:00. Cost: $6

The day was incredibly hot, we did not know where to find salvation from this terrible hell, when suddenly I saw a granny who, with a happy look, was watering the grass and herself at the same time. I didn't think for a long time!

"Wat" means "holy", "Phnom", as you already know, "hill". From here it is easy to guess that the temple is located on a hill. Legend has it that it was from this temple that the formation of the city of Phnom Penh began. The pagoda was built in 1373! A walk here will be very interesting, as the temple is located in a park where you can chat with local monkeys and even ride an elephant!

Opening hours: from 8:00 to 18:00. Cost: $1 for foreigners. Elephant rides cost $15.

The museum is the largest in Cambodia and preserves the centuries-old historical and cultural heritage of the Khmers. There are about 14,000 exhibits here.

Opening hours: from 8:00 to 17:00

Cost: $3. There is also an additional charge for video recording of $3 and $1 for using a camera.

The temple was built in 1443. This place is significant in that the hair from the eyebrow of the Buddha is stored here. During the Khmer Rouge, the temple was badly damaged, it was devastated, many monks were killed. The temple was later restored. Now there are 44 buildings here, marble statue Buddha.

Opening hours: from 6:00 to 18:00. Cost: Admission is free.

The temple was built in 1442. It is remarkable not only for its beautiful appearance, but also for the fact that the ashes of the royal family and politicians of Cambodia are buried in the stupas of the temple.

Opening hours: from 7:00 to 18:00

After walking along the embankment and fighting off the Tuktuks, we reached

This is just a monument that was erected in the late 70s as a sign of friendship when Vietnamese troops helped liberate Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot.

Having reached the ring, we saw.

It was built in the 50s as a sign of liberation from French domination in 1953. The monument is similar in shape to a lotus flower.

All the Tuktuks tried to take us there. He was Russian in the distant Soviet years, when Soviet Union provided assistance by bringing cheap goods into the country. Now this is an ordinary Cambodian market, where you can find everything that a tourist's heart desires!

Spiderville ("spider town")

Spiderville means "spider town". The fact is that in the difficult and hungry Pol Pot times for the people, people adapted themselves to catching huge spiders in the local jungle with deep-fried peppers. They say it has become something of a delicacy. To be honest, I'm not a fan, and even curiosity was not enough, but maybe you are more daring for such gastronomic experiments.

After walking around the city, we, having drunk an incredibly huge amount of liquid with ice (and did not suspect that so much would fit into me !!), we came to the Mekong office and took a bus to Siem Reap. Well, more on that in the next article.

Summary and general impression

So, general impressions about the city: in my opinion, it doesn’t look like a capital, the buildings are all low, the city is quite criminal (fortunately, we didn’t meet personally, but we heard a lot), it’s clear that the country is poor, it’s very hot, there is no sea nearby, but I really liked it temple architecture, the royal palace, there are delicious restaurants (although they didn’t eat Khmer food there, I didn’t like the word “Khmer”), it was interesting to learn something about the history and culture of the country.

The city is located in the south of the country, on the Mekong River (at the confluence of the Tonle Sap River). Population - 2,234,566 people (2011).

In recent years, Phnom Penh has become a much more pleasant city than even 10 years ago: more modern high-rise buildings have appeared, electricity is cut off less often, garbage is removed more often, and at the same time, quite a lot of that charm and beauty that made it "Asian Paris" remains. until the 1970s. The beautiful wide boulevards and French colonial buildings are as beautiful as ever, and the street views are conducive to walking.

But Phnom Penh can still shock a European even today. It can be very hot and dusty here, the infrastructure is poorly developed, the city is very dirty and poor. Tourists who cannot stand the garbage and dust on the streets, chaotic and risky traffic, annoying tuk-tuk and motorcycle taxi drivers, cripples and beggars, may not like the city.

Phnom Penh is worth visiting not for the standard tourist attractions, of which there are few in the city, but as a place where you can relax, look at the street life and lose yourself in the local color.

Climate

Phnom Penh has a tropical monsoon hot climate with little temperature fluctuations and distinct dry and rainy seasons. The air temperature varies from +18° to +38°C.

May to October is the wet season, November to March is the dry season. The largest amount of precipitation falls between September and October, the driest months are January and February.

The best time to visit Phnom Penh is from November to January when temperatures and humidity are lower than the rest of the months.

Story

According to legend, Phnom Penh was founded in 1372 by a local widow named Penh, who found a floating tree trunk in the Mekong, with Buddha statues. With the assistance of Stump, a large hill (pnom) was poured next to her house, and an altar was erected, on which the statues were placed. Subsequently, a monastery arose on this site.

For the first time the city became the capital in 1431, when the then king Ponhea Yat, who fled from the Thai defeat, moved the capital from Angkor Thom.

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.

Only in 1866, during the reign of King Norodom I, Phnom Penh became the permanent seat of the government and the capital of Cambodia.

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 began building 300 stone houses.

By the 1920s, Phnom Penh was already known as the "Pearl of Asia", and continued to develop rapidly over the next forty years.

During Vietnam War thousands of refugees poured into the city from all over the country, fleeing the fighting between government forces, the North Vietnamese army, South Vietnamese troops and their allies, and the Khmer Rouge. By 1975, the population of the city was already about 3 million, most of whom were refugees.

The Khmer Rouge took the city on April 17, 1975. “In accordance with their order, all residents were obliged to leave the city. It was forbidden to take food and things. Those who refused to obey the order or hesitated were killed and shot. Neither the elderly, nor the disabled, nor pregnant women, nor the sick who were in hospitals escaped this fate.

On January 7, 1979, the Vietnamese army drove the Khmer Rouge out of Phnom Penh, and the population began to return to the city. But the new Cambodian government had no money for urban infrastructure until peace came in 1992.

Since 1992, a period of restoration began, which continues to this day, water supply, roads and other infrastructure were restored.

Transport

In addition, you can rent a moped yourself. True, care should be taken - traffic in Cambodia is chaotic and dangerous, even South-East Asia standards. It is possible that the company's employees will "find" a lot of "tourist-made" scratches and damage, so in order to avoid fraud, you can simply take photos of the moped before renting it. Renting a moped for the whole day will cost about 5-6 dollars.

Ordinary taxis are also popular in cities. As a rule, cars are not equipped with meters, and the cost of the trip must be agreed in advance. For example, from Phnom Penh Airport to the city center by taxi can be reached for $ 9.

Tuk-tuk is a covered three-wheeled motorcycle designed to carry passengers. It is cheaper than a taxi and its clientele is almost exclusively tourists. Most drivers in tourist areas speak English.

Motorcycle taxis are not the safest mode of transport, but quite convenient. In tourist areas, their drivers usually speak English. The price of the trip should always be negotiated in advance, as well as the route. If you want to get change, you should always have small bills with you. A motorcycle taxi with a driver can be rented for the whole day.

How to get to Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh International Airport is located 11 km from the city center and receives flights from most airports:

From Kuala Lumpur

– from Paris, from Bangkok

– from Seoul

– from Bangkok

– from Beijing and Guangzhou

– from Hong Kong

- from Singapore

– from Seoul

from Kuala Lumpur

- from Shanghai

- from Singapore

– from Bangkok

- from Bangkok

– from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane

You can get to the city from the airport by official taxi (9 USD), tuk-tuk (7 USD), motorcycle taxi (2 USD). Or go out on the road and catch a tuk-tuk for 5 USD.

Attractions Phnom Penh

- located on a hill in the middle of a small park near the Sisowath waterfront, on 94th street. Actually, it was from this temple that the history of the city began. The temple was erected in the Middle Ages, but its final appearance in 1926 after reconstruction. The temple is still a place of pilgrimage for many believers and, of course, tourists.

Among the shrines of Wat Phnom are the relics of King Ponhea Yat, who moved the capital to Phnom Penh in 1431. In addition, throughout the park separate fee($15) you can ride elephants.

The park is a popular place for walking local residents and tourists.

The Royal Palace- This is not just a museum, but the current residence of the King of Cambodia, so tourists can not get into all of its premises. The palace began to be built in 1866 under the auspices of the French government.

In total, 7 out of 9 pavilions of the palace complex are open for tourists: the Napoleon pavilion, the Throne Hall, the Bronze Palace, the pavilion moonlight, the administration building, the Royal Theater and the Khor-Samran-Firun pavilion. The other two pavilions are the Guest House and the residence of the royal family itself. Tourists are not allowed to enter there.

Also on the territory of the palace is the Silver Pagoda. It was built in the 19th century and survived the tragedies of the 20th century in an almost untouched condition.

Opening hours: daily from 7:30 to 11:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00.

or Wat Preah Keo – Buddhist temple located in the southern part of the royal palace complex. It was built in 1866 and is one of the main attractions of the city.

Many national treasures are stored in the monastery attached to the temple. The most famous is a small Baccarat crystal Buddha (“Emerald Buddha” of Cambodia), as well as a life-size gold Maitreya Buddha (90 km), decorated with 9584 diamonds, the largest of which weighs 25 carats and is dressed in royal regalia.

During the pre-Khmer Rouge reign of King Norodom Sihanouk, the floor of the Silver Pagoda was inlaid with more than five thousand silver slabs (blocks) weighing over 6 tons, and part of its façade was rebuilt using Italian marble. However, only a small part of these plates is available for viewing by tourists at the entrance to the pagoda.

The walls inside the pagoda are covered with frescoes depicting the heroes of the Indian epic Ramayana.

When visiting the pagoda, you are required to remove your shoes and hats.

- located slightly to the north Royal Palace. The museum building, built in the 1917–1920s, is one of the most remarkable architectural monuments Phnom Penh. Inside the museum there are 4 courtyards connected with a cozy garden.

The exposition of the museum includes more than 5,000 objects, including works of art dating back to the 7th-13th centuries, as well as sculptures, folk dance costumes of the 19th century, and much more. Among the most famous exhibits are the statue of King Jayavarman, the armed statue of the god Vishnu and the sculpture of Shiva.

Opening hours: daily from 8-00 to 17-00.

is an imposing Buddhist-style monument dominating the city center at the intersection of Norodom and Sihanouk boulevards. It was erected in 1958 in honor of the end of the war for independence from France and in memory of all the Cambodians who died in this war.

The monument, standing on a stone lotus flower, repeats the design of the towers of Angkor Wat and is decorated with a hundred cobra heads.

It is in this place that the main celebrations are held on the occasion public holidays– Independence Day (January 7) and Constitution Day (September 24).

- a school turned by the Khmer Rouge into one of the main prisons in 1975. Nane "Genocide Museum".

The regular high school building was used by the Khmer Rouge regime from its rise to power in 1975 until the fall of the regime in 1979 as the infamous "Security Prison 21" (S-21).

More than 140,000 people passed through it before they were killed in the Killing Fields south of Phnom Penh, only 8 people survived.

The cabinets still contain skulls, instruments of torture and chilling photographs.

– is located approximately 17 km south of Phnom Penh. This is one of the most famous sites, known as the Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge massacred an estimated 17,000 people between 1975 and 1979. IN mass graves 8,895 bodies were found, many of those killed had previously been inmates at Tuol Sleng Prison.

Today, Choeng Ek is a memorial with a Buddhist temple open to the public. The temple has double acrylic transparent walls that are filled with human skulls (over 5000).

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 fresh water and other resources. Geographical coordinates of the city of Phnom Penh: 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 perfect place for the development of tourism. 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°С)

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 the Indian Ocean between May and October. During the dry season (November to March), monsoons from the northeast dominate here. From September to October, Phnom Penh receives the most rainfall, while the driest period occurs in January and February.

Economy

Double Digit Economic Growth recent years provoked a real economic boom - the construction of new hotels, restaurants, bars and residential areas. Numerous cultural and historical sights of Phnom Penh make the city very popular. tourist place. 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 book a taxi through your hotel or travel agency, or find a car yourself 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 Svai, 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 other 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. An excellent selection of quality traditional 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 a wide variety of 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, gems 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.

is the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia and its most Big City, built by the Khmers at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers in southern Kampuchea. It was from the city of Phnom Penh that my next trip to Cambodia began. I learned a lot about the modern history of this country before going to near the city of Siem Reap. And when I returned home, I decided to write in detail about what Phnom Penh is, where it is, how to get there, I will advise best hotels in the city of Phnom Penh and what to see in it on your own. And I will also tell you how best to walk around the city on foot and visit the main attractions of Phnom Penh. So, go!

Phnom Penh- it's not the best ancient city in Cambodia, it was founded by the Khmers in the 14th century at the confluence of the Tonle Sap River into the Mekong. Today it is also the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The name of the city means "Hill Stump" in Khmer. Stump is the name of the woman who, according to legend, founded the first settlement here and built a pagoda on the hill. In a rather large area of ​​the capital, there are many buildings and structures built in the national style: the Independence Monument, the Royal Palace, the building of the National Assembly. All of them are located within walking distance from each other.

Basic information:

If you look at the map of the city, it immediately becomes clear that from the Monument of Independence to Wat Phnom (Wat Phnom) can be reached in half an hour at a quick pace. If, of course, you set yourself such a task. And you can stretch the pleasure and take a leisurely walk, carefully examining everything that comes along the way.

Phnom Penh city center map

The old center of Phnom Penh - its historical part - is built up with villas immersed in the greenery of flowering trees. Modern houses have galleries, towers, steep roofs - this is how the traditional features of the national architectural heritage are embodied in the concrete of new buildings. Although most of all the trends in the development of modern architecture manifested themselves in the construction of new cities - Kampongsaom and Bokor.

What is interesting about Phnom Penh?

Phnom Penh will be of interest to everyone who came to Cambodia to look not only at, but also wants to know how the modern Khmer metropolis lives. And although it is the most developed of all five large cities in this country, it is not much different from them. But historical monuments have been preserved in it, although there are not very many of them. Nevertheless, I recommend that you definitely take a walk around the city center, see the sights, and in the evening go to the embankment for a walk with Phnom Penh. And in the morning you can see a beautiful sunrise here.

Phnom Penh on the map

How to get to Phnom Penh

I flew to the Cambodian capital from Bangkok on a flight from AirAsia, and a ticket with all fees, insurance and luggage up to 15 kg cost 3,000 rubles. So get to Phnom Penh city today is not difficult. The fact is that it is not very popular with tourists compared to the capital of Thailand. The airport is absolutely tiny. It seemed to me that there were only four or five sleeves ready to receive passengers. When we landed, there were three more Malaysian Airlines planes, some company from China, and someone else on the airfield. So the full power of the Cambodian visa service immediately fell upon the passengers from my plane. Thus began my journey to Cambodia.

By plane

International Phnom Penh airport located 7 kilometers west of the city. There are no direct flights from Moscow here, but you can fly with a transfer through Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and other Asian cities.

• Recommend to watch in advance *
  * airlines often arrange sales, do not miss the opportunity to buy tickets at a bargain price!

The flight from Bangkok to Phnom Penh by plane takes only an hour and a half. And from Moscow with a transfer will leave at least 13 hours.

From the airport you can get to the city center by bus ($0.4), taxi ($7-10) or tuk-tuk ($5-7). Only cash is accepted for payment.

Arriving in Phnom Penh, you need to get a visa and go through the border and customs control. Next, you are welcome to get your luggage and pay $ 7 for a tuk-tuk that will bring you to your hotel. The price is fixed, so bargaining is pointless. But if you are not too lazy to carry all your luggage, go towards the exit from the airport (it is not so big), and catch a tuker there and bargain with it. You can also take the bus. And if you are alone and you only have a backpack, then a motorcycle taxi in Phnom Penh costs $1. I flew in with a friend, and we were too lazy to carry everything on ourselves, so a smiling Khmer helped us, and we divided the transport costs in half.

Buy cheap flights to Phnom Penh

By bus

You can come to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, by bus from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Pakse, Vienyan, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kep. There are different buses - large and small, with and without air conditioning, with regular seats or beds.

Bangkok — Phnom Penh

bus tickets from Bangkok to Phnom Penh are sold at the bus station or at any travel agency. You can also ask them to buy your hotel employees at the reception. It must be borne in mind that the prices of different companies vary and depend on the class of the bus. There will either be no commission for tickets at all, or it is minimal, so do not worry. There are both day and night buses (they are called slipping buses). Travel time is about 15 hours. The ticket price is $15-20. A feature of the trip along this route is a stop in the city of Poipet, where you need to cross the border from Thailand to Cambodia, after which the bus changes.

Siem Reap — Phnom Penh

Another way to come to the capital of Cambodia from another tourist city near Angor Wat is to take a bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. Tickets can be bought at any travel agency or ordered at the reception of your hotel with a minimum commission. Prices may vary slightly, but there is no need to buy a ticket at the bus station. Both day and night buses run along the route, following Phnom Penh further, for example, to Sinukvil. Travel time is about 7 hours. The ticket price is $10-15. The peculiarity of the trip along this route is the sequential collection of all passengers from hotels and their delivery to the bus, so you do not have to worry about the place of its departure.

I rode the day bus that my friend Paula chose because of the lowest price. The bus was old and took a very long time. The air conditioning did not work, but the windows were open and was Fresh air. I do not recommend traveling by night bus on this route because of the not very long distance.

Pakse — Phnom Penh

Probably the most corrupt bus route from Laos to Cambodia. It all starts with inflated ticket prices. It is difficult to purchase them at the bus station, so before buying from intermediaries, ask about their ticket prices Pakse to Phnom Penh or in reverse direction in other agencies. Travel time is about 14 hours. The ticket price is $15-20.

Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh

Bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh different types both in terms of price and comfort level. Tickets cost $10-15, and you can buy them at the bus station in advance, as well as at a hotel or agency. You can also book and pay for them on the website of bus companies. Travel time is 6-8 hours, depending on the speed of crossing the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. We ourselves did not travel in this direction, but our acquaintances recommended using the Sapaco company, which drops off passengers near the Olympic Stadium. From there you can get to the city center by tuk-tuk for $1.5.

By boat to Phnom Penh

On the boat

Walk along the river and lake Tonle Sap between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh passenger boats . All of them are different in terms of comfort level, on some of them you can sit right on the roof and admire the surroundings. But they are all less convenient than the bus. However, a boat trip to Phnom Penh is chosen because of the opportunity to enjoy a calm ride on the water with beautiful views. Travel time is usually around 6 hours. The ticket price for foreigners is $35. I recommend using this mode of transport if you want to get new experiences, at any time of the year, except for.

By taxi

You can also order an individual taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Sihanoukville or to the border with Thailand (to the city of Poipet) or Vietnam. Prices are different, depending on the class of the car and the distance. For example, a taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh will cost you $70-100, and from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh - $60-90.

Review of hotels in Phnom Penh

It must be said right away what tourists should choose hotel in Phnom Penh best of all in the very center - in the area of ​​​​the Royal Palace and the embankment. Although of course you need to choose a place to stay in accordance with your own plans. Indeed, in the city there are a great many places to stay, as they say, for every taste and budget, and every year there are more and more of them. I also decided to stay in the center, next to the embankment, and it was very helpful!

• Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra- grade 8.7 (luxury 5* hotel, cozy rooms, garden, swimming pool)
• Okay Boutique Hotel- grade 8.5 (cozy rooms 4 * in Khmer style, next to the Royal Palace)
• Arunreas Hotel- grade 9.4 (new luxury 4* hotel in the center, spacious rooms, gourmet restaurant)

Eat good hotels in the city center of Phnom Penh:

• The Pavilion- grade 9.3 (4*, green oasis in the historical center, tastefully decorated rooms)
• Vacation Boutique Hotel- grade 8.9 (modern 3* boutique hotel, restaurant, garden, bike rental)
• Le Grand Palais Boutique Hotel- grade 8.1 (decent hotel with Khmer style rooms, swimming pool)

Here cheap hotels Highly rated Phnom Penh:

• Hotel Zing Phnom Penh- grade 7.8 (the most comfortable accommodation at a low price, near the market)
• Billabong Hotel & Hostel- grade 8.6 (clean and comfortable 3* hotel, attractions nearby)
• Sla Boutique Hostel- grade 9.1 (the best hostel in Phnom Penh in the very center, there are 2-bed rooms)

All hotels in Phnom Penh with reviews and ratings

Transport in Phnom Penh

Unlike other major Asian metropolitan areas, Phnom Penh does not have a metro or other rail system. public transport. But there are buses, taxis and tuk-tuks. You can also ride around the city on a motorbike or bicycle. Tourists prefer to use taxis, although some modern air-conditioned buses that appeared here in 2014 are very good!

Buses

The city has three bus lines passing along the main city highways. Quite comfortable and modern ride on them. buses with air conditioning. The fare in them is 1,500 riels ($0.35) for one trip, regardless of distance. It is worth noting that they go quite often - about once every 10 minutes. In addition, one of the bus routes connects Phnom Penh Airport with the city center. Keep in mind that public bus transport operates every day from 5:30 am to 8:30 pm.

Knock Knock

Hundreds drive through the streets of Phnom Penh tuk-tuk, which are the main transport for tourists in this city. The fare in them ranges from $1 to $3 for one trip around the city. But first, drivers usually announce the price higher so that there is an opportunity to bargain. If you don’t know the fastest way to get somewhere in the city, just stop the tuk-tuk, and the driver will probably tell you or drive you where you need to go. Drivers usually speak English language. In addition, you can hire a tuk-tuk driver for the whole day, it will cost $20-25. Or half a day for only half that price.

Moto taxi

Moto taxi is the most cheap look transport, which can be found in the city literally everywhere. You simply sit as a passenger in the seat at the back and you will be driven wherever you need to go. The cost of a trip for short distances is 2,000 riels ($0.50). In the evening the price doubles. It is worth bearing in mind that few motorbike taxi drivers speak English. And yet, only a few of them carry a helmet for the passenger. Although since 2016, riding with a helmet has become mandatory for everyone, and the police issue a fine of 15,000 riels ($ 3.75) for not wearing it.

Taxi

There is also in the city Taxi- quite a convenient mode of transport for tourists with luggage. Recently, the number of taxi cars in Phnom Penh has been growing rapidly, but there is no single tariff scale. Also, there are no taximeters in the cars, and they always try to overestimate the prices. So I advise you to negotiate with the driver about the cost of the trip in advance so that he does not break the fabulous price at the end of it.

Trishaw

Among other things, in the historical part of Phnom Penh you can ride on cycle rickshaw. This tricycle can still be found on the streets of Phnom Penh. However, it is becoming very rare. He rides quite slowly, especially with two passengers. However, its advantage lies in the fact that during the trip you will be able to see in detail all the details of street life.

Motorbike rental

In Phnom Penh, unlike other cities in Cambodia, you can safely take rent a motorbike. True, it is worth adding that in Siem Reap since 2016 this has also become possible. If you have a category A license, then you can rent a motorbike for $5-6 directly at your hotel or guesthouse. Keep in mind that the traffic in the city is Asian chaotic, but quite predictable. So be careful and do not drive if you do not have the necessary experience. And also get ready to unfasten $ 1-2 to the police, even if you follow all the rules and ride in a helmet. It's just an unavoidable part of self-driving in Cambodia, unfortunately.

Bike

And finally, you can rent yourself bike for $1-3 per day, or even buy it for $35-50 at the store. And although pedaling in Asia is no longer fashionable, we all know that in Europe, on the contrary, their time has come and we will not be afraid to ride a bike through the streets of Phnom Penh. The only thing is that in the hot season I would recommend to refrain from riding a bike, because even just walking the streets of the city at this time is very difficult.

What to see in Phnom Penh

The central streets of Phnom Penh look great, but the side streets and small streets are not so attractive. Mostly they are in a terrible state and heavily littered. In addition, it is very difficult to navigate them, so it is better for tourists not to walk on them.

But in the city there are a number of places most visited by tourists. I will list you the most interesting sights of Phnom Penh that are worth seeing first. These are the Royal Palace, the National Museum of Cambodia, the Wat Phnom temple, the Sisowat Kwai embankment, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeng Ek Killing Field. I wrote about them separate article. There are others, such as Buddhist temples and historical buildings.

Walk through the charming city in Cambodia

I spent two days walking around the city of Phnom Penh. On the first evening of arrival it was rather cloudy, but on the third day the sun shone without regret. The second day I devoted to the sad history of this beautiful country and visited the Genocide Museum and the Killing Field.

Phnom Penh city tour

The route that I propose is simple to the point of banality: walk along the promenade, admiring the Royal Palace (Royal Palace, Wat Phra Keow), the National Museum and other beauties along the way, run on old market to buy water and fruit, and walk to the only hill in the city (Phnom means "hill" and Stump is the name of a woman), on which stands one of the main temples of the country, Wat Phnom. And on the way back you can get acquainted with the sights in more detail. You will come across two banners that tell you that Phnom Penh - charming city . In English and French. Well, you have to take our word for it!

Photo of Wat Phnom Temple

We start our walk at the stupa of the main temple of Phnom Penh and immediately see a seven-headed naga at the foot of the hill

Wat Phnom Temple is considered one of the main attractions of the city.

Embankment of the Tonle Sap River

It is worth noting that the city of Phnom Penh stands on two rivers - Tonle Sap and Mekong. The first flows from the lake of the same name, the Great Lake, as the Khmers called it in ancient times. And the Mekong, after visiting China, Laos and Thailand, ends its journey in Cambodia and flows into the South China Sea. Most of The historical part of Phnom Penh stands on the banks of the Tonle Sap River. Its embankment is the most popular place for recreation in the city.

Residents of Phnom Penh are very fond of their promenade

New city market Psar Thmey

And then on the road from Wat Phnom along Norodom boulevard you can drop by the new market Psar Tmei (Psar Tmei), merchants moved here from the old market. Now they have a covered area and you can still buy anything you want. I bought a couple of souvenirs there to remember Cambodia and clothes for my further trip to Southeast Asia. It turned out to be very high quality, I recommend!

Fashionable building of the central market of the capital of Cambodia

Temple Wat Ounalom

Another pretty temple Wat Ounalom invites you to honor the Buddha and ride a chariot. I went into the territory, and there the boys are playing sox!

In the courtyard of the temple

National Museum of Cambodia

Next I went to National Museum, which snatched off a very beautiful historical building. It really is amazing. It is worth going here (you have to pay $3 for a ticket) if you are very interested in Buddhas of different calibers from the 6th to the 16th centuries and the history of Angkor. There is also a small hall of contemporary art (XIX and XX centuries). You can't take pictures inside.

Royal Palace in Phnom Penh

And we will complete our route with a detailed inspection of the territory Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. And it’s worth saying right away that those who prefer the Royal Palace of Bangkok are right a thousand times over, in comparison with which the local loses a lot both from the outside and from the inside. Entrance inside will cost you $6.25, you need to dress respectfully as always: do not bare your shoulders and wear a long skirt or knee-length shorts.

Gardens around the Throne Room of the Royal Palace

There are many interesting things on the territory, but you cannot enter the throne room, although you can look at the gilded throne from the window. Silver Pagoda (Silver pagoda), the place where the local copy of the Emerald Buddha is kept, is also not as rich in colors and ornaments as in Bangkok. Behind Wat Phra Kaew you can see a diagram of Angkor Wat. A few nice stupas, and now the tour is over. Nice, but not enough! It is also worth noting that, unlike the Royal Palace of Bangkok, Wat Phra Kaew in Phnom Penh is unique in its French charm - the palace has the French pavilion of Napoleon III and magnificent gardens like in the Tuileries.

• Read more

And now we are almost back to the beginning of our route in Phnom Penh, and very little time has passed. Such is this small charming city! And for antiquity, I recommend that you definitely go to Siem Reap, see Angkor and ancient pyramid !

Here is another helpful article:

• Siem Reap in Cambodia - information and guide:

Review of visiting the city of Phnom Penh in Cambodia

Should I go to Phnom Penh? I can say that if you have time, then definitely yes! And having arrived in Cambodia, it is quite possible to allocate 1-2 days for a tour of Phnom Penh and a tour of its main attractions. You can do it yourself or hire an experienced city guide. In addition, flying to and from Cambodia through its capital is more convenient than traveling by bus for many hours.

I definitely advise you to visit Phnom Penh at least once in your life and look at its cultural and historical heritage and there's not much else to do there today. Well, unless you just take a day or two off from a tour of Southeast Asia in some decent hotel with beautiful view to the city or waterfront. I would definitely return to Phnom Penh again, but a little later, when he would have completely put himself in order and again cultivated, as he once did under the French.

What else is important to know about Phnom Penh

In principle, you can exchange currency in Phnom Penh for local riels - at a bank or at a hotel. But there is no real need for this, since in Cambodia the US dollar circulates almost like a second currency. National currency. Cambodian riels may end up in your collection when shops give you change that is not a multiple of dollars. It is possible and necessary to pay for your purchases in all shops, cafes, restaurants and markets at the same time in dollars and riels. Cambodian riel to US dollar exchange rate: 1 USD = 4000 riels.

• More about money and prices in Cambodia

What else to see in Phnom Penh

Finally, I offer you overview video about the city of Phnom Penh and what to see in it:

Have an interesting trip to Phnom Penh, dear readers!