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 countries 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 SE Asian cities. However, the wide boulevards are awash with motos and 4WD’s. 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.
There are excellent hotels in the city, ranging from the simple and boutique to the super luxury. Our consultants can advise you on the best option.
Experience Travel Group has an exclusive guided day trip around the city which includes 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 an essential part of understanding what happened in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot years. If you would rather avoid that part of Cambodia then please let your travel consultant know and we will be happy to leave it out of the itinerary.
