Things to Do in Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s sprawling and busy capital. It’s sometimes seen as a place to merely travel in and out of Cambodia, but it’s a great destination to enjoy culture, art, shopping, history, and lots and lots of drinking. These are some of the must-see and must-do activities in Phnom Penh.

Nothing in Phnom Penh was quite as beautiful as the Royal Palace. The stunning complex features several beautiful structures used for different reasons, like the Throne Hall, where royal ceremonies like weddings are held and the Moonlight Pavillion, which faces Sothearos Boulevard and is used during parades. One of the most important parts of the Royal Palace is the Silver Pagoda, which houses the Royal Temple and the Emerald Buddha. The palace serves as the residence for the king of Cambodia, so some parts of the complex are not accessible.

Tickets are $10 for foreigners. The palace sometimes closes for certain holidays or events, like elections. I recommend double checking opening hours when you arrive because visiting hours can be limited. As with all religious sites in Cambodia, you should dress modestly; keep knees and shoulders covered.

It’s impossible to walk a few feet in Phnom Penh without a tuk tuk driver offering to take you to the Killing Fields, so there’s no shortage of transportation to the area. It’s important to note that if you’re really interested in the history of genocide in Cambodia, there are two sites, not one, that you should make a point to visit. One is the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which is housed in a former Khmer Rouge prison (S-21). The other is the memorial at Choeung Ek, the killing fields where over a million people were executed. This is around 40 minutes out of Phnom Penh. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).