Situated at the confluence of three rivers, Phnom Penh is a gem of a city that is brimming with history and culture. The large capital has fascinating architecture, a fusion of Khmer modernity and Angkor traditionalism, with strong French colonial influences. The surrounding countryside and rivers are breathtakingly beautiful and the city itself was dubbed the 'Pearl of Asia' in the early 20th century. Phnom Penh has plenty to see and do, and iTrek adventurers who wish to explore and experience it will enjoy many wondrous sights. The Royal Palace is home to the impressive Sliver Pagoda and offers a great way to discover the history of the Khmer civilization. If you enjoy walking whilst you learn, the National Museum is full of interesting artifacts and exhibits, while the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum offers a sobering recollection of one of mankind's greatest genocidal periods, when the Khmer Rouge under leader Pol Pot exterminated over 1.5 million people, many in the killing fields surrounding the city.

Phnom Penh offers several interesting options for boating excursions along the Mekong River and up into Tonle Sap Lake. The city offers opportunities to enjoy excellent cuisine, friendly people and a culture that stretches back a millenium.

With a population of over a million, the sprawling urban jungle of Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s cultural, commercial and political hub, as well as one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in Southeast Asia. There are masses of activities and sights to be enjoyed, although some of them may evoke sad memories in this city's turbulent past. The city has stunning architecture and fascinating pagodas dotted throughout.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
In 1975 this school was turned into a massive prison by the Khmer Rouge, who tortured more than 14,000 people and only let out eight of them alive. While not your classic holiday daytrip, the museum serves to remind us of the nation’s terrible past. Visitors will witness blood marks and human skulls stacked up on shelves.

Independence and Liberation memorials
Built in 1953 to celebrate independence from France, the Independence Memorial stands proudly in the centre of the city. The nearby Liberation Memorial was built by the Vietnamese to commemorate their 1979 capture of the city. The Liberation monument serves as the city’s urinal these days, showing the inhabitants’ contempt for the Vietnamese.

Killing Fields
Perhaps the most infamous of Cambodian attractions is the sombre museum of the Killing Fields, where thousands of Khmer Rouge victims met their deaths during the terrible reign of Pol Pot. A Buddhist stupa packed with human skulls dominates the site and other skulls and human remains can be seen lying in pits around the area.

National Museum
The National Museum contains a wonderful collection of paintings and artifacts dating back to the times of Angkor. Situated in front of a lovely green park, this is a great place to escape the stresses of the city and to witness locals gathering and picnicking on their days off.

Wat Phnom
Perched on a hill just outside of the city, the tranquil temple grounds are a popular meeting point for locals and a wonderful place to while away a few hours. Visitors can take an elephant ride or head to the nearby Wat Botum, where Pol Pot once lived as a novice monk.

Sisowath Quay
Phnom Penh’s riverside boulevard runs along the banks of Tonle Sap and the Mekong River. Every evening the esplanade is filled with locals and tourists alike, who gather to enjoy the cool air and selection of shops and restaurants.

Drinking
The city’s locals quite like a drink and being a popular city among tourists, Phnom Penh is not short of drinking holes. Choose from an abundance of cheap roadside beer bars or head to Sisowath Quay for a selection of more upmarket bars and restaurants. Khmer beer is especially popular among locals and tourists alike.

Royal Palace
The 19th century palace and its two majestic pagodas have weathered the city’s troubles tremendously. The beautiful Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Silver Pagoda are situated in these grounds and the entire complex is well worth a visit for its French-Cambodian architecture.

Wat Ounalom
This important Buddhist temple is home to the head of Cambodia’s Buddhist brotherhood and a stupa behind the temple is said to contain one of Buddha’s eyebrow hairs. A statue of Samdech Huot Tat, the fourth patriarch of Cambodian Buddhism who was killed by Pol Pot, can be found inside the complex.

Markets
The city has more than its fair share of markets, with Psar Thmei being the largest and most popular. It sells everything from clothes and tourist knick-knacks to fruit and vegetables but if you’re after something that’s more geared towards tourism, then head to the famous Russian Market.

Massage
While Thailand may be famed for its massage, you can also get a good one in Cambodia if you know where to look and Phnom Penh is a good a place as any. Try the centrally located Seeing Hands Massage which employs blind masseurs and helps them support themselves.

Dining
Phnom Penh is a cosmopolitan city and boasts an abundance of restaurants catering to all tastes and budgets. You can find anything from local noodle soups and rice dishes to Thai, Mexican and Spanish food, and many of the tourist restaurants serve a good selection of food from all over the world. The riverside is filled with bars, restaurants and cafés serving excellent selections of food.

Boat rides
The Mekong River is a beautiful place on which to enjoy boat trips. Take a sunset cruise and see how the local people use their river in their day to day lives or head out to the pleasant resort of Mekong Island. Those who don’t fancy a boat ride can just relax at one of the many smaller restaurants and cafés that line the river and watch the world float by.

Animal sanctuary
Situated 30kms from the city, Phnom Tamao is home to a number of rare species including sun bears, leopards, tigers and even a lion as well as hundreds of exotic birds and numerous species of flora and fauna. The sanctuary is generally regarded as being one of the continent’s best.

Archaeological Sites
The city is surrounded by fascinating ruins that can be easily reached within a day. Just less than 40kms from the city stands the impressive and intricately decorated Tonle Baty, while the 11th century Phnom Chiso stands on a hilltop which offers spectacular scenery.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Raffles Hotel Le Royal is Phnom Penh’s signature four-star hotel and is imbued with an old-world colonial charm that has drawn international travelers since 1929.



Extensivly remodeled in 1997, all of the hotel rooms are tastefully decorated with French colonial influences and feature every amenity one would expect of a world-class hotel. Located in the heart of Phnom Penh, Raffles is close to many of the city’s key attractions, including the Royal Palace, Central Market, Russain Market and National Artifacts Museum. The Mekong River and Wat Phnom are within walking distance as well.

Amanjaya Pancam Hotel
Phnom Penh’s Amanjaya Pancam Hotel is situated riverside at Sisowath Quay and provides easy access to historical sites like Wat Ounalom, the Royal Palace and the National Museum, the Mekong and Tonie Sap Rivers, and a bustling entertainment district. The three-story building on a corner is truly a house of style, with its porous laterite lobby walls, the same material used in the construction of Angkor, and Buddhist statues placed all around contributing to a cool boutique vibe. The rooms are huge, done in rich crimson silk hangings and bedcovers that contrast vividly with the dark-wood floors and trim. Balconies overlook the river and the busy thoroughfare it fronts.