Being the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is a city that’s thriving with opportunities and features some of the best of Cambodia’s art and culture industry. Chances are you’ll spend a few days here if you’re headed to the Angkor Wat at Siem Reap. Here is an itinerary of the best things to do in Phnom Penh.
Day 1: Exploring Downtown Phnom Penh
We’re exploring downtown Phnom Penh today. We start by heading to the Independence Monument. The maroon Angkorian tower marks Cambodia’s freedom from France.
From there, head north towards the Royal Palace, the official residence of Cambodia’s King. The palace was designed after Khmer architecture although it incorporates European features which it owes to its French influence. You’ll be stunned by the golden temples and beautiful Silver Pagoda.
We continue to head north towards Central Market. It’s hard not to notice Central Market’s massive dome. The bright yellow dome stands at 26 metres in height and 45 metres in diameter. You’ll find an assortment of jewellery, clothes, and other knock-off goods. You’ll also thank your lucky stars for the shade it provides, so enjoy it and slowly browse the market!
Done window-shopping? Time to restart the engine as we head to Wat Phnom. Wat Phnom is the tallest and most iconic temple in Phnom Penh. The story goes that Lady Penh found four Buddha statues in a tree in the Mekong River and had a shrine built on a hill. If you’ve caught on, that’s where Phnom Penh gets its name. Phnom Penh means “Penh’s Hill”, so there you have it. It’s a beautiful temple that’s covered in lush greenery, so enjoy the views!
That’s all for today’s landmarks. We end the day with a relaxing stroll through Phnom Penh Night Market, it’s the best place for late-night food! Live music and barbeque, it’s the perfect way to end the day.
Day 2: Cambodia’s Dark Past
We dive deep into Cambodia’s unfortunate past. Here’s a short history lesson: the Khmer Rouge was responsible for the Cambodian Genocide which claimed 1.5 million civilian lives. Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge’s leader, believed in a utopian self-sufficient agrarian society; anyone who spoke multiple languages or wore glasses were “corrupted” by modern society. We’re going to 2 of the best-preserved sites from the genocide today.
A must-visit on any Phnom Penh itinerary, we start the day at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as (Security Prison 21) S-21. Tuol Sleng was a high school before it was repurposed into prison and an interrogation centre. Upon entrance, you’ll be chilled to the bone by the uncanny nature of the museum. What’s supposed to be a cheery scene of one’s childhood is instead, a site of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge.
You’ll be flooded with harrowing information about the site. You’ll see photographs of the victims, torture beds, and interrogation rooms among many others. It’s a visceral and educational experience.
Down south is Choeung Ek Killing Fields, one of the best-preserved among the many “Killing Fields” scattered throughout Cambodia. Cambodia’s Killing Fields refer to the mass burial sites used by the Khmer Rouge during the genocide.
You’ll learn about the disturbing experiences that the victims went through at Choeung Ek. Many of the Tuol Sleng (S-21) victims were transported to Choeung Ek to be executed; it makes the combined experience of both sites all the more harrowing.
Here’s a sneak peek of the disturbing details that you’ll learn about the site. You’ll see that the graves look a bit shallow. It’s believed that the malnourished victims were required to dig their own graves, their weakened state meant that they couldn’t dig deeper holes.
It’s an unsettling but necessary experience. Again, we recommend seeing Tuol Sleng first before Choeung Ek for a better experience.
Time to take a break from all the depressing stuff. Now we slowly head back north to the city and make a stop at the Russian Market. Russians in Cambodia? Sounds a bit peculiar doesn’t it? It’s known as the Russian Market because it was frequented by Russian expats in the 1980s, not because they had Russian vendors. Don’t expect to see Russian dolls though. They mostly carry local goods that tourists like to buy.
It’s probably nearing the evening, and we join the Mekong River Cruise for a lovely sunset cruise. It’s been a long day, and it’s nice to just see the views of the city from a different perspective with some nice food.
You know what? You deserve a break. It’s time to experience traditional Cambodian massage. We recommend Bodia Spa if you’re at the Daun Penh area, it’s a few blocks away from the National Museum and the Royal Palace.
Day 3: Getaways!
You’ve seen most of what Phnom Penh has to offer, and we recommend a day trip if you’ve still got time to spare. Both of these will take half a day.
If you’re looking to escape the busy crowd, take a 1-hour ferry ride to Silk Island. The tranquil island is named after its silk weaving industry. Every step in the process is shown, from the cocoon to the weaving of the fabric. It’s really scenic here, so if you’re just looking to relax you can take light strolls around the village.
Also consider Mount Oudong if you’re looking to do some light hiking. Oudong was the old capital of Cambodia so you’ll get a fun history lesson to go with some breathtaking views.
