Why Visit Phnom Penh?

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s bustling capital, is one of Asia’s most unusual and interesting cities. On the banks of the mighty Mekong River, at its confluence with the Tonle Sap, the city is the heart and soul of Cambodia and embodies the country's relationship with water, never more so than during the November Water Festival.

The wild west of Cambodia during the twenty years or so immediately following the war, the city maintains a unique vibrancy and provides a fascinating contrast between old and new. Abandoned during the Khmer Rouge period and with very little development until the 21st century, Phnom Penh has (so far) avoided the mass modern high rise development of other cities in Southeast Asia. However, the wide boulevards are awash with motos and 4WDs. This contrast, along with the palaces, markets, temples and eclectic mix of colonial and Cambodian architecture, makes strolling around or taking a cyclo an interesting experience.

You can head out for the day on our signature, exclusive guided day trip around the city, including a morning at the Tuol Sleng Museum and the ‘Killing Fields’ before finishing the rest of the day on a more upbeat and uplifting note. Whilst the morning can be chilling and very upsetting, this is essential to understanding what happened in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot years. If you would rather avoid that part of Cambodia, please let your travel consultant know, and we will be happy to leave it out of the itinerary.

There are excellent hotels in the city, ranging from simple and boutique-like Pavilion to the luxury like Raffles and Rosewood. Our consultants can advise you on the best option.