Things to do in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Things to do in Phnom Penh – The Pearl Of Asia

The setting sun casts a luminous glow over the Independence monument. The statue of King Sihanouk stands at a distance surveying the hundreds of men, women, and children walking, jogging, or playing in the expansive public space. A toddler kicks a football around and jumps in glee while a group of men is engaged in a game that resembles badminton, but with a major difference. There are no racquets, hands are not used, a shuttlecock-like object is launched in the air with the use of the legs of the players. The game is known as Duerto Sai.

We were in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia in Southeast Asia. A fifty-minute flight from Bangkok to Phnom Penh had transported us to the city which was once known as the Pearl of Asia. We wanted to soak in the ambiance and vibes of the city and were taking a leisurely walk around the area of the Independence Monument.

It was our first visit to Cambodia and Phnom Penh is nothing like we had imagined. With a history of war, civil unrest, and oppression by the Khmer Rouge, Phnom Penh was for us always a city rife with intrigue that we read about in the newspapers.

But today Phnom Penh is a place that echoes with the laughter of kids, where the young move around with confidence, vibrancy, and pride. It is a city with a glorious heritage and a culture that can be traced all the way to the 4th century. The nightmare has long passed and today one sees dreams in the eyes of the people.

The city of Phnom Penh is modern but still cares for and nurtures its rich heritage.

As Indians, we were surprised to see evidence of the Indian connection everywhere. The Tuk-Tuks or autorickshaws that ply the streets of Phnom Penh reminded us of home. The autorickshaws are imported from India and are from the legendary, “Hamara Bajaj”.

The Khmer script was another aspect that symbolized the close and historic connection between India and Cambodia. The script, whether it is on hoardings or road signs, resembles the script of some of the Indian languages. Piqued by this fact, we did some online research and found that the script is derived from the Pali script which is again derived from Sanskrit.

A Brief History of Phnom Penh

An old woman sees the trunk of a Koki tree floating on the river while collecting firewood. She fetches it from the water and lo and behold! She finds idols of Buddha and Vishnu hidden in the trunk.
In those days the capital of the Khmer empire was at Angkor and the floating trunk of the Koki tree and its contents were considered as a divine message for shifting of the capital to this spot. The old lady whose name was Penh had a small hill raised and built a shrine on top of it to house the idols she found.

The capital of the Khmer Empire was eventually moved to Phnom Penh by the last King of the Khmer Empire Ponhea Yat. The city got its name from the small hill on which stood the shrine and from the old woman who had it built. Phnom in Khmer translates to ‘hill’, and Penh is, of course, the name of the old lady.

Map of Phnom Penh

Places To See and Things To Do In Phnom Penh

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is a beautiful example of traditional Khmer architecture with a hint of the elegance of French architecture as well. Elements of Hinduism and Buddhism are seamlessly woven into the design. One example of this is the color scheme of the surrounding walls and the structures inside the palace complex itself. Pleasant shades of yellow and white symbolically represent Buddhism and Hinduism respectively.

The Royal Palace which was constructed in the mid 19th century is a sprawling complex of buildings which include a Throne Hall, which houses the throne on which the King is seated during the coronation ceremony. This beautiful structure can be viewed from the outside only as the Throne Hall is not accessible to the public. The complex also has the residential quarters of the Royal family which are again not open to the public.

An open-air pavilion known as Moonlight Pavilion serves as a lovely setting for performances of Khmer classical dances.

A beautiful building within the Royal Palace complex is the Silver Pagoda, which is the royal temple that houses an emerald Buddha along with many other gold and jeweled Buddha statues. One of the striking features of the place is that its floor is inlaid with about 5,000 silver tiles, giving it its name as the Silver Pagoda.

The Royal Palace also houses a small museum that has royal regalia on display. A visit to the Royal Palace is one of the top things to do in Phnom Penh, it is a great way to get a nice orientation about the history, heritage, and culture of Cambodia.

The National Museum

The National Museum in Phnom Penh is a wonderful way to get a feel of the ancient history and culture of Cambodia. A visit to the National Museum was on the top of our list of things to do in Phnom Penh.
Over the ages, the country has been influenced by Hinduism and Buddhism. Though today almost 95% of the country’s populace are Buddhists, the indelible influence of Hinduism can be seen in their culture, dance, mythology, and customs.
The National Museum traces this history of Cambodia from the early Pre-Angkor period to the Angkor Period and further through exhibits of bronze and stone sculptures, and carvings. The museum has the finest collection of Khmer sculpture in the world. It is highly recommended to visit this museum before visiting the famed Angkor Wat and other temples of Siem Reap as many of the sculptures found in the ruins are housed here.

One of the exhibits that had us riveted was a massive bronze statue of a reclining Vishnu, the fragmented structure dates back to the 11th century and was excavated from the Western Mebon temple in the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park in Siem Reap.

The history of modern-day Cambodia is also brought alive through a series of rare photographs.
The National Museum also showcases the famous Apsara Dance through shows in the evening.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

No visit to Phnom Penh would be complete without a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. A visit to this place is bound to leave one feeling sad, angry, and downright morose at the terrible depths to which humanity can plummet. It is the same feeling that envelops one, when you visit Auschwitz, or Genocide Memorial in Rwanda, or the Jallianwalah Bagh in Amritsar. These places are reminders of how from time to time Man becomes Man’s enemy and exhibits the most base and cruel behavior.
The museum stands in the midst of the intersection of two streets in the heart of the city of Phnom Penh. The eerie calm that pervades over the place today is probably a result of the suffering to which innocents were subjected to here. The museum which was once a school and filled with the laughter of children had been converted to a prison, torture chambers, and execution center, all rolled into one by the Khmer Rouge. The place was named S-21 or Security Prison 21. More than 20,000 people had been incarcerated here during the period of mayhem unleashed by Pol Pot and the dreaded Khmer Rouge.

The museum today houses photographs of the victims and torture instruments used by the Khmer Rouge. The halls of the school divided into small brick cells, mass detention centers, and barbed wire barricaded blocks act as a chilling reminder of the hell that place had been converted to.

An audio guide takes one back in time to those terrible years when the museum was the dreaded S-21 and rang with the tortured wails of men, women, and children.

Though a visit to the museum leaves one with a feeling of sadness, it is definitely one of the things to do in Phnom Penh.

The Independence Monument

A beautifully designed structure that is of a Lotus-shaped stupa stands serenely in the midst of the traffic that flows through the intersection of the Norodom Boulevard and the Sihanouk Boulevard. This is the Independence Monument that was built in 1958. It was built to commemorate the independence of Cambodia from French rule. A memorial to Norodom Sihanouk, the former King of Cambodia stands behind the Independence Monument and is surrounded by beautifully landscaped lawns and walking tracks which are filled with people enjoying the serene environs during morning and evening. This is a must see place in Phnom Penh and one of the top things to do in Phnom Penh as it is symbolic of Cambodian spirit and stands for the collective aspirations of a modern country.

The Riverfront

Phnom Penh is situated on the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and has a beautiful riverfront. The riverfront is very clean and well maintained and is an excellent place to spend the evening enjoying the cool breeze blowing across the river. Boat rides are another fun way to see the city’s skyline from the waters.

The Riverfront is also the hub of the glittering nightlife in Phnom Penh, a large number of bars and restaurants dot the Sisowath Quay and also the side streets along the riverfront.

Many restaurants dot the roads that run alongside the river, making it a great place for family outings. We found many Indian restaurants along the riverfront and also had lunch at one of them.

A stroll along the riverfront is one of the most enjoyable of things to do in Phnom Penh and is highly recommended during a visit to the city. The riverfront is one of the attractions in Phnom Penh.

The Central Market

This is a vibrant market with a unique structure. It is dome shaped and has four arms that lead to massive hallways. The hallways are filled with stalls selling everything from Khmer silk to watches to jewelry. Outside the Central Market are rows of shops that sell flowers and other souvenirs and knick-knacks.

The Central market was built in 1937 and was considered to be the largest market in Asia. It is an important landmark market in Phnom Penh city and is part of its heritage. The market complex was heavily damaged when it was bombed during the French-Thailand war but has been rebuilt since then. Do ensure to have a visit to the Central Market in Phnom Penh in your list of things to do in Phnom Penh.

Wat Phnom Historical Site

A must visit place in Phnom Penh city is the Wat Phnom Historical Site as this is where the foundation for the city was laid, in a sense. This is the place where a temple was raised on top of a hill following the discovery of the Buddha and Vishnu idols by the old lady named Penh. A series of steps leads to the top of the hillock on which stands a historical shrine. Inside the shrine there is is a bronze statue of a seated Buddha.

This main idol is surrounded by other smaller statues of Buddha and other idols. Incense sticks, flowers, and other ritual offerings surround the deity. A statue of the old lady named Penh stands in the shrine as a silent ode to her vision which resulted in the blossoming of the city of Phnom Penh.

The inside walls of the shrine are covered with murals of the Jataka tales as well as those of Reamker which is the Khmer version of the Hindu mythology Ramayana.

There is a Stupa within the Wat Phnom Historical Site complex which contains the ashes of the King Ponhea Yat and other royal family members. A visit to this place is one of the most important things to do in Phnom Penh as it is inextricably linked with its history.

How to Reach Phnom Penh

Book cheap flights and hotels here.

Where To Stay In Phnom Penh

Accommodation in Phnom Penh is varied and there are a plethora of options. There is a range of options from hostels, homestays to Budget and luxury hotels to choose from.

We stayed at the  Cardamom Hotel & Apartment which is centrally located in the heart of the Central Business District. It is near to the major attractions of the city as well as shopping areas.

The hotel was comfortable and convenient for us and offered a complimentary buffet breakfast and free Wi-Fi. The connectivity was excellent across the hotel including our room. We had a pleasant experience during our stay in this hotel in Phnom Penh.

For best hotels in Phnom Penh or best accommodation in Phnom Penh, we suggest checking out our favorite sites to book here. We always use these sites to book our stay. Phnom Penh hotel booking can be done through HotelsCombined or  Booking.com to save huge and get best deals on booking your stay in Phnom Penh.

Tours/Activities available in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh points of interest are many and if you are wondering what to see in Phnom Penh or what to do in Phnom Penh, then look no further. Phnom Penh attractions pass are available for the best Phnom Penh tours. You can now book tours in Phnom Penh as well as activities in Phnom Penh. Plan the best places to visit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and experience Phnom Penh.

Where To Eat in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is in many ways a paradise for food lovers who wish to tantalize their palates with exotic food. The local Khmer cuisine apart from other Pan-Asian cuisines ensure that one has a gastronomic experience to cherish for a long time when in Phnom Penh. So enjoying food is high on the list of things to do in Phnom Penh.

Being vegetarians our options were limited, but to our joy we found that there are many options for vegans and vegetarians in Phnom Penh. Those looking for Indian food too need not be disappointed as Phnom Penh has many Indian restaurants that serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine.

Some of the places that we tried during our stay in Phnom Penh include:

Banana Tree

A very serene restaurant with a subdued ambiance that serves authentic Khmer cuisine. We tried local Khmer vegetarian dishes and really enjoyed them. Some soul-stirring local music and Apsara dance added to the overall experience. Tasting the Khmer cuisine is one of the most enjoyable of the things to do in Phnom Penh.

Indigo

A nice Indian restaurant just across the riverfront serves some spicy Indian fare. If your palate is craving for some spicy Indian food then head to Indigo for authentic fare. The restaurant serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine.

How To Get To Phnom Penh And Other Good To Know Information

• Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia and was formerly known as Krong Chatomuk
• Phnom Penh International Airport connects the city to other cities around the world and there are many flights to Phnom Penh
• Phnom Penh is situated on the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers
• Khmer is the local language used in Phnom Penh however you English communication is possible

We spent two days in Phnom Penh before embarking on our further exploration of Cambodia. We loved the ethos of the city which is warm and vibrant, a city with a heart. Phnom Penh is a city that effortlessly blends its rich cultural heritage with contemporary lifestyles. The city is indeed a pearl of Asia. There is much to see and experience in and around the city and we hope to return back as we know that there are so many things to do in Phnom Penh that we have not been able to do and many other places to visit in Phnom Penh.

Have you been to Phnom Penh? If yes which was your favorite of the things to do in Phnom Penh? If you plan to visit Cambodia do make sure to include Phnom Penh in your itinerary. As always we look forward to your inputs through our comments section.

We were hosted by Cambodia Tourism. However, the views and opinions expressed here are our own.

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