5 Must-See Sights in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh, the rapidly changing capital of Cambodia, is a place to savor the Indochinese charm. The more traditional shops, street food stalls and famous Khmer BBQ's now live alongside modern restaurants and malls in this ever-evolving city.

Welcoming and relaxed, the city is packed with historic sites, beautiful temples, French colonial and Southeast Asian architecture. Even though the city is fairly slow-paced and compact compared to other SE Asian capitals, leave at least 2-3 days to explore the major sights.

The tips below should help you get the most of Phnom Penh when visiting Cambodia.

The Royal Palace Dress modestly when visiting the dazzling King's residence and enjoy a stroll through the perfectly manicured gardens and peaceful buildings behind tall yellow walls.

Spare at least two hours to enjoy the Royal Palace to its fullest. It might not be as elaborate and shiny as the Grand Palace in Bangkok, but there are some similar elements present in the buildings.

While visiting, take your time to explore “The Silver Pagoda” (Wat Preah Keo Morakot). The name originates from its silver tiled floor and it's the place where the King's meetings with the monks are arranged. Slip your shoes off and head inside to see the most sacred statue, the “Emerald Buddha.”

The National Museum

Cambodia's National Museum in Phnom Penh is a piece of art in itself. The distinctive architecture shows both, western and traditional Cambodian design details from the outside.

If you've already visited the temples of Angkor near Siem Reap you'll get more out of seeing the Angkorian era relics on display here. Even though there are interesting collections from later dates, the main emphasis is on the Angkorian antiquity.

To see a local traditional dance show, head out to the garden of the museum. Classic Cambodian dance performances take place on Monday - Saturday at 7 p.m.

The Killing Fields

While visiting Phnom Penh it's important to learn about the horrors Khmer Rouge regime inflicted on Cambodia beginning in 1975. Over the following four years, the once prosperous country was cut off from the rest of the world and systematically destroyed from within. During this time more than 3 million people were brutally tortured and killed under Khmer Rouge regime.

While not a cheerful experience, The Killing Fields are a “must see” sight in order to understand the not so distant dreadful past of this wonderful country.

The field is now a peaceful place, open as a memorial to 17,000 men, women and children who perished here during the atrocities. Human bones and pieces of clothing are still being pushed out to the surface during the rainy season like restless ghosts from the past.

The admission fee ($6) includes an excellent audio guide with informative commentary. It's located 15 km southwest of Phnom Penh so to visit the sight, book a $15 return trip with one of the local tuk tuks. They will wait for you in the carpark outside the gates whilst you visit.

You can also visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum where a number of photographs of the prisoners and torture tools are on display. The building was used as the infamous S21 Prison in central Phnom Penh where people were tortured and starved before being taken to the Killing Fields and beaten to death.

The Central Market

You will find a few markets in Phnom Penh, but The Central market is somewhat the most distinctive. If not for shopping then visit the market for its elegant architecture.

Back in 1935 the area was a muddy pond which was later drained and replaced by this gorgeous Art Deco building in 1937. Once inside, before you get blinded by all the glittering watches and jewelry, take a moment to admire the dome high above your head.

Make sure you have some cash with you to grab a good deal. To avoid the crowds, visit the market in the afternoon, before closing at 5 p.m.

The Promenade

Once you've visited some of the main sights of Phnom Phen, relax. Head to the promenade alongside the river which is dotted with parks, restaurants and cafes. Here in the evenings, the locals gather to chat and unwind.

Once the sun goes down and the air cools a little, take a lazy stroll along the buzzing embankment. Grab a can of cold beer from a lady carrying a cooler and join the locals. There's always something wonderful about getting a feel of that local vibe. And best of all, it's free!

Whatever you get up to in Phnom Penh be sure to take your time and soak up the atmosphere of this surprisingly chilled capital of Cambodia.

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