Most people visit Cambodia for Angkor Wat and justifiably so (check out my Angkor Temples vlogs). However, Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, is worth a visit to learn about the country’s history if you are passing through. If you are tight on time however, there isn’t a big reason to make the effort to make the stop.
I stayed two nights in Phnom Penh on my way from the Mekong Delta in Vietnam to Siem Reap and Angkor. I stayed at a nice property called the Manor House that had a pool on the property that was extremely refreshing after being out in the heat all day.
My big takeaway about visiting Phnom Penh was learning about the Cambodian Genocide by the Khmer Rouge regime in the late 1970s after the Vietnam War officially ended. This little talked about event in history was shocking to learn about. The horrible regime was responsible for taking the lives of 1.5 to 3 million people (approximately 25% of Cambodia’s population at that time). My visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, one of the country’s most famous torture centers brought light to this very sad historical event. If you want to learn more, here is the Wikipedia link to get you started.
VLOG GIVES YOU A TASTE OF WHAT PHNOM PENH IS LIKE
HIGHLIGHTS OF PHNOM PENH YOU CAN DO IN ONE DAY
WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF EACH OTHER
- Royal Palace (image at top)
- National Museum of Cambodia (I didn’t pay to go inside but the exterior of the building is worth seeing)
- Wat Phnom
- Wat Ounalom (image below)
VIA TUK TUK OR TAXI
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
- OPTIONAL: Killing Fields. You will hear in the vlog many tuk tuk drivers ask if I wanted to go to the killing fields because many tourist opt to visit. I didn’t want to visit the killing fields just outside the city because it would be very emotional plus the visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was enough for me to learn about this tragic event.
GETTING TO SIEM REAP FROM PHNOM PENH
I chose Giant Ibis bus company for my six hour journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Since the journey is only six hours, I chose the day bus instead of the overnight bus. Overall the ride was decent however the bus was very empty because it was the low season (May). The bus is the fastest way method of transportation (besides flying). There is also a way to travel by boat to Siem Reap however this route takes longer.
Have you been to Phnom Penh? Leave a comment below with your favorite sight or thing that you did the city.
