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Attractions

Phnom Penh is a good example of a two-day city, where there is plenty of see and experience in a short time but little to keep one longer. The Royal Palace and National Museum are worth a morning, to get a sense of the country's rich heritage, then as a counterpoint, visit the Tuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields to understand the terrible atrocities suffered by the Khmer people during Pol Pot's reign of terror. In a lighter vein, enjoy the lively shopping scene in Central and Russian Markets while taking time to watch the sunset on the river at the Foreign Press Club's balcony bar.

Getting around between sights can be a hassle. It's not a bad idea to engage a taxi driver for the day, or for the more adventurous, rely on the services of moto-taxi where you sit on the back of a moped. Walking is an interesting option, but best avoided during the heat of the day and at night.

Grab a free copy of the quarterly A Phnom Penh Visitors' Guide as it contains a useful map and good summaries of major attractions.

The Royal Palace

This is the principal attraction of the city and contains the best examples of 20th-century Khmer architecture. The Royal Palace is the official residence of King Norodom Sihanouk. Set among the perfectly maintained gardens is the exquisite Throne Hall, the Elephant Pavilion where the...  see full details

National Museum

The museum houses the country’s most important collection of ancient Cambodian culture and Khmer art. It is made up of four galleries containing relics, sculpture, art and crafts covering history from the pre-Angkor period (4th century) until the present. The pieces are arranged in...  see full details

Tuol Sleng Museum

When the Khmer Rouge came into power in 1975, they commandeered and converted a secondary school into a primitive prison where they detained and tortured anyone suspected of anti-revolutionary behaviour. Between 1975 and 1979, an estimated 20,000 victims were imprisoned in Security Prison 21,...  see full details

Blind Massage

Cambodian travel can often be jarring; hard beds, bumpy roads and death defying taxi drivers can leave a body in ill shape. Seeing Hands is a business employing blind masseuses to work out those tourist kinks. Cambodia gives few opportunities to disabled workers and...  see full details

Central Market (Psah Thmay)

Phnom Phen's most obvious landmark looks more in style with a Star Wars trading post then most earthly structures. Inside the tall dome is a host of goods, from watches, to jewellery, clothing and food. Much of the market's merchandise is the same, so...  see full details

Foreign Correspondents Club

A pleasant way to spend the evening is on the balcony of the FCC. The well-located bar and restaurant sits on the banks of riverside overlooking the converging Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. Prices are more expensive then its neighbours, but the colonial-chic style...  see full details

Shooting Range

Amuse your inner warrior with Phnom Phen's best carnal pleasure: shooting big guns. Whatever one's taste, be it automatic rifles and rocket launchers or grenades, they are all a possibility. It is said that for extra money targets can become live farm animals, although...  see full details

Memphis Pub

Memphis Pub is a cool venue to hear great cover bands put their spin on old classic rock. It is a thumping place, usually packed with expats and tourists until late. There isn't much Khmer about the style but a taste of home...  see full details

Lakeside

Lakeside is the backpacker hub of Phnom Phen. It is located on the shore of Boeung Kak Lake, a short taxi ride from downtown. The cheapest rooms are available for a couple of dollars but upgrading is a good idea. The guesthouses with...  see full details

Cambodia Cooking Class

It is always wonderful to return from your time abroad with a skill you didn't have when you left home in the first place - and the Cambodia Cooking Class, one of Phnom Penh's most popular tourist attractions, offers tourists to Cambodia the...  see full details

Russian Market

Not to be confused with the Central Parket (Psah Thmay), the Russian Market (Psar Toul Tom Poung) is best reached via tuk-tuk or moto. It is located south of Mao Tse Tuong Boulevard, and offers tourists a range of great bargains. Silk scarves...  see full details