Phnom Penh Travel Guide

According to legend, an old woman named Penh founded the city of Phnom Penh when she discovered four Buddha images on the Mekong River's banks. She placed the items on a nearby hill and a town grew around them, becoming known as the Hill of Penh (Phnom Penh).

Sometime later, during its prime, Phnom Penh had a claim to being the loveliest of Indochina's French-built cities. Today, it sprawls at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap Rivers. Its colonial charm contrasts with its heavy traffic and modern concrete buildings, with visitors enjoying its old French villas, street-side cafes, tree-lined boulevards and majestic Khmer buildings.

Phnom Penh's wats (temples) and museums also make for interesting adventures. Many visitors find time for sunset cruises on the Mekong and Tonlé Sap Rivers, and shopping at a bustling marketplace. Otherwise, the city's nightlife has a solid reputation, as does its food and café culture.