A beautiful city risen from the ashes remembers its tragic past
The markets in Phnom Penh are lively and bursting with rich produce
Set on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh is a gorgeous city lined with broad boulevards and French colonial architecture. The streets are bursting with lively markets flowing with food vendors, and the charming restaurant scene makes Phnom Penh a hub of world-class dining.
Take a tour beginning at the magnificent Royal Palace, home of the Cambodian Monarch, King Sihamoni. The glimmering gold spires dominate the city’s skyline, while inside the Palace complex, you’ll find beautifully manicured gardens.
The adjacent Silver Pagoda has a floor made from over 5,000 silver tiles and holds an incredible collection of Buddha statues, including a life-sized Buddha encrusted with thousands of diamonds.
Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school that became a prison for the torture and murder of thousands during the Khmer Rouge regime. Although it is a chilling site, it is an important historic account of the country’s tragic past.
Next, a visit to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields: a mass grave and now a memorial for one of the worst genocides in history. Disturbing and emotional, this is an important site where you can learn about Cambodia’s harrowing past.
In the evening, you can explore the flourishing nightlife and local arts scene. Relax with a refreshing drink on the waterfront balcony at the Foreign Correspondents Club. This famous and historical location has three floors of delicious international menus and cocktail creations.
Phnom Penh is a captivating city and an essential stop for any trip to Cambodia.
Your Luxury Phnom Penh Trip Ideas
A trip to Phnom Penh is essential for any tour of Cambodia, and we feature at least one night in Phnom Penh on all our suggested itineraries. Highlights include a tour of the city to the Grand Palace, as well as sobering visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields. With lively markets to explore and fantastic dining to enjoy, you’ll likely want to stay longer than one night.
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Your Luxury Accommodation Options in Phnom Penh
Stay at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, one of Cambodia’s most luxurious hotels, located at the heart of Phnom Penh. This grand historic hotel boasts a spa, two swimming pools and the excellent service that Raffles is renowned for. Just 1.5 hours from Phnom Penh is Shinta Mani Wild, a property submerged deep within the rainforest-cloaked mountains of Cambodia. It offers luxury, adventure, and sustainability, as well as 400 protected acres of the Southern Cardamom National Park.
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