Phnom Penh overview
Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia, this is the most bustling and busy capital of Cambodia. it is located at the confluence of three rivers such as Mekong river, the Bassac river, and the great Tonle Sap river, that’s what this central place has been ever considered the ‘Gem’ of Indochina. Nowadays, Phnom Penh capital still maintains the considerable charm with plenty to see. It is exuded a sort of provincial charm and tranquillity with French colonial mansions and the tree-lined boulevards amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. Phnom Penh is really a veritable oasis compared with the modernity of other capitals in Asia. A mixture of Asian exotica as well as the famous Cambodian hospitality always welcome the visitors to the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Royal Palace is considered as the heart of Phnom Penh capital
Phnom Penh was also previously very known as Krong Chaktomuk (Chaturmukha) meaning “City of Four Faces” because it is referred to the confluence where three rivers are the Mekong river, Bassac, and Tonle Sap rivers cross to form an “X” where the capital is situated. Visiting Phnom Penh of Cambodia, travelers seem always feeling that inside each of the architecture and landscape of this place is carried the characters hiding certain historical values. Phnom Penh is also a very famous destination where is available the largest religious complex and this area is also considered as a heritage site in the world.
Also like other cities tourist destinations in Asia, Phnom Penh is in the midst of rapid change. Over the past few years the number of restaurants and hotels have grown considerably and everywhere there are a lot of tourists exploring Phnom Penh and the number of visitors is still increased every year. You must see Phnom Penh where really is a real original as it won’t be the same in a few years ago.
The local food in Phnom Penh is one of the special experience you must try once travel in this city
What should wear while visiting Phnom Penh?
To explore this beautiful capital, the best way to you is you should have a pair of sneakers, convenient and comfortable clothes because the weather in Phnom Penh is little hot all year, it is around 25-37 degree even in the dry or rainy season at here. You should also wear the polite or long clothes when visiting temples, shrines and do not bring a light raincoat or umbrella to deal with the sudden rain in the rainy season at here.
How to go to Phnom Penh and the main vehicles to move around Phnom Penh city?
Phnom Penh has the international Phnom Penh airport so that the tourists can fly into Phnom Penh to explore the capital of Cambodia, then move to Siem Reap to delight the mighty landscape and architecture of Angkor Temples complex with a lot of the famous temples such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm…..If you want to transfer to Phnom Penh from Vietnam, then there are some ways for you to take such as you can catch a short flight from Hanoi or Saigon to fly to Phnom Penh, this is also the fastest way to move to there, the second way is you are also possible to catch a bus from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) via Moc Bai border to enter to Cambodia, or you also catch a speed boat from Chau Doc throughout Vinh Xuong border to head to Phnom Penh…..Nowadays it is very convenient for the tourists to book directly the different vehicles by air or by land to go to Phnom Penh of Cambodia.
When you stayed inside Phnom Penh capital of Cambodia, it is much easier for you to move around by any vehicle inside this bustling capital such as by bus, taxi, motorbike, bike or tuk-tuk and the most popular vehicles in this city is by tuk-tuk. If your group is over two persons and you want to get the cheapest cost in a short distance in this busy capital, then the most convenient vehicle for you to choose should be tuk-tuk because this vehicle is appeared everywhere and it very cheap, almost of the locals can use this vehicle and you can bargain with them base on the distances you need to go.
Climate in Phnom Penh
There are the main two seasons in Phnom Penh is the dry season and rainy season, the dry season lasts two dry seasons is the dry season with the cool weather is from 18-28 degree, and another dry season is with the hot temperature is from 28-38 degree is from March to May. It is little hot for tourists to travel Phnom Penh in the dry season with the hot temperature. The rainy season that lasts from June to October, and there is a lot of rain in this rainy season in Phnom Penh, the temperate of this period is around 28-35 degree.
The weather in Phnom Penh is a tropical climate, the typical of this weather is warm and humid. Especially in the monsoon season, abundant rain allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops. However, your plans travel to Phnom Penh and Cambodia should be avoided the last two months of the rainy season when some countryside roads may be impassable or you must transfer by boats all time.
Tuk-Tuk is one of the most popular vehicle in the capital of Phnom Penh
Where to stay in Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh capital is not too large, and the center of this capital is located in a complex around 10-15km so that it is very easy for you to choose the range of hotel to stay when traveling to this special capital. The fact, the hotels 2-3star in Phnom Penh is clear and fine for you to stay, if you want to a cheaper budget, then choose a guesthouse but this kind of accommodation is not popular in the center of Phnom Penh, so you should find a hotel 2-3star or if your budget permits is you should stay at 4-5 star hotel with a large swimming pools in order for you to relax in the hot weather as in Phnom Penh all year.
Sightseeing must see in Phnom Penh
Royal Palace
There are many very famous tourist attractions locate in the center of Phnom Penh capital, but the most prominent destination is the Royal Palace where is considered as a symbol of the Kingdom of Cambodia, it is the relatively typical architecture of Khmer culture at here. Nearby the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda where is a combination of a lot of small projects such as tower, tomb, library, garden…
Royal Palace is the most tourist and interest site you must see in Phnom Penh
National Museum of Cambodia
National Museum of Cambodia is the storage of more than 5,000 artifacts representing a rich Cambodian culture as well as this site is a destination attracting many coming to learn more the culture and history of this country.
Wat Phnom
Wat Phnom or still called Mrs. Penh Temple. This historical site is considered as the most noteworthy site to visit in Phnom Penh because this temple is very old and it has the characteristic architecture of the Cambodian temple architecture.
Wat Phnom is the site you must see in Phnom Penh
Independence Monument
This site is located on the large square of the capital. This architecture is quite unique and I has a meaningful historical value marking the independence of the Kingdom after escaping from foreign oppression.
Independent Monument is located on the main roads in Phnom Penh capital
Toul Sleng Genocide Museum & Killing Fields Choeng Ek Memorial
These special sites remind people quite a lot of the cruel Khmer Rouge genocidal regime in history.
Besides with a lot of historical and very famous sites of Phnom Penh above, you also should not miss some places where are suitable for tourists whose love shopping such as Central Market, Russian Market, Night Market….
