Phnom Penh’s got lots of great experiences in store for you. Here are our favorites:
1) The Royal Palace, with its orange and green roof tiles, is an exquisitely beautiful place to spend an hour or so, and one of Cambodia’s highlights not to be missed. The Silver Pagoda is everyone’s best pick, with an estimated 5,000 silver floor tiles, an emerald Buddha image, and showcases full of magnificent gold and silver Buddha images.
Open daily, 8am-11am, 2pm-5pm, admission is $7.25 USD. Proper dress is required, so (as the sign indicates) leave the above-the-knee shorts, sleeveless top, hats, and guns at your hotel. Located at Samdech Sothearos Boulvard, between 178 and 240 Streets. GPS Coordinates: N11° 33.798’, E104° 55.941’
2) Phnom Penh’s museums, including the National Museum, and the sobering museums of Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek, can easily be visited in one day.
3) The Sisowath Quay, near the Grand palace and on the Tonlé Sap River, is a great walk by day, and an afternoon drink at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (at #391, just south of 178 Street) is a can’t miss on a scorcher. By night, the Quay has a number of excellent and far-from-pricey restaurants. For $10 USD, you can take a refreshing one hour cruise up the river for an hour. Several boat operators can be found at GPS Coordinates: N11° 34.339’, E104° 55.777’
4) Boutique shopping, eating and drinking along Street 240 is a splendid way to spend a lazy afternoon. This easily walkable block runs from Street 19 on the East to Norodam on the West. Along the way, the Le Lézard Bleu Gallery at #61, and D’s Books at #79 are well worth a visit. Begin your walk by heading West from the corner of Norodom and 240 at GPS: N11° 33.578’, E104° 55.631’
5) The Russian Market, known to the locals as PsarTuol Tom Pong, is a great place to buy souvenirs, music, and ethnic goods. Many of the AmerViet War souvenirs are fakes, so caveat emptor!
6) Ta Phrom at Tonlé Bati is a lovely 13th century laterite temple 33 km south of Phnom Penh, easily accessible by private car or motorbike. 150 meters to the north is the temple of Yeay Peau. The serene country setting is somewhat marred by aggressive panhandlers, but the temples are beautiful, and the trip is worthwhile.
