Phnom Penh

Places to See

The Killing Field Museum (Tuol Sleng)
The site was an ordinary high school until April 1975, when Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge transformed it into one of the biggest concentration camp in Cambodia, where thousands of people were executed from 1975 to 1978. There are many remnants of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. People from all walks of life were executed here including doctors, monks, foreigners, and anyone with an education. There is a display of human skulls that covers an area in the shape of Cambodia. This can be a very disturbing visit for many and there are more than a few who have some nightmares for a few days after. It is advisable that you psychologically prepare yourself for what you are about to see and learn. Entrance is $2 US and you can hire guides to show you around for about $1 US.

The site is located on the outskirt of the city, you can hire a moto to take you there for between $2 and $4 US.

National Museum
This museum is host to a number of valuable objects of the Cambodian history. Many statues from Angkor can be found here.For $2 US you can see beautiful Khmer art, some of which even pre-dates Angkor.

Royal Palace
The palace of the king with its beautifully curved roofs is off limits for visitors. However, haveing a look from the outside still gives an idea of its beauty.

Wat Preah Keo (Silver Pagoda)
Located just next to the palace, the pagoda takes its name from the floor which is completely covered in 5,281 silver tiles, each weighing a little above 1 kg. The cost to get in is $3 US, cameras are USD 2 extra and videos USD 5.

Markets
There are three markets worth checking out: the Central Market, the Russian Market and the Tuol Tum Pong Market. The latter is the least expensive.

Place to Stay

Walkabout Hotel
This is the guesthouse where we stayed for 10 USD one night (air-con & shower)
More basic rooms start at 4 USD.

The Australien boss is very friendly and helpful, but the people who frequent the place are sort of bizarre (style aged backpackers lost in Asia for years).

At the groundfloor, there's a bar (open way after 2:00 am), a pool and a restaurant corner. At the bar, you can ask for tourist info and make changes at interesting rate.

Our room was a cube of 10 m2 without window, everything except luxury.

Address : At the corner of Street 51 and 174 - Tel: 012-851787
E-mail : walkabout@bigpond.com.kh

Chineses Hotel
Two friends of us have stayed at this place just next to Walkabout Hotel (at Street 174) :
Rooms go for 15 USD (air-con, shower, hotwater), clean and pleasant.

There's also a Chinese restaurant at the groundfloor.

Capitol Guesthouse
Has rooms from 4 to 6 USD, some with W.C., but no private shower or air-con.

This Guesthouse - the best known in Phnom Penh - is a good reference in terms of tourist info and tour organisation.

Address : #14, Street 182 (150m on the west side of Monivong Boulevard)

Place to Eat & Drink

There are a variety of restaurants around town ranging from Thai food to European. There are also a few pizza places along the Mekong that offer freshly cooked pizza (extra-topping) for about $5 US. Finally, there is a market behind the palace that has some great traditional Cambodian food stalls.

For a drink, try the famous FCCC (Foreign Correspodents Club of Cambodia), at the 2nd floor of a beautiful old building with a view over the river. Fresh brewed beer, colonial ambience and nice decoration.As the name implies, this is the meeting place of foreign journalists, but as well the place for small ads destinated to backpackers or expatriates. Internet access is available on the groundfloor.

Internet-cafe

Most Top-end hotels have internet service, besides, there's other cybercafes which provide internet access for 4-6 USD / hour :

From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (Angkor)

By plane
Royal Air Cambodge has 2 to 3 flights daily from Phnom Penh (55 USD / one-way). Bangkok Air and President Air also offer regular direct flight.

By Ferry
Tickets can be arranged by travel agents or at a boat company on Sisowath Quay just north of the Japanese Bridge: 25 USD one way.

Departure is scheduled at 6:30 am, and speed boats take 4 to 5 hours. In the dry season, the trip can take much longer time.

By Mini-bus
Ask for info at Capital Guest house : US$9 per person.

By truck
You can also take a truck with the locals from next to the central market for $5 US if you ride outside and $7 if you ride inside. The trip takes about 8 hours if it has not been raining and can take 14 hours if it has rained.