Phnom Penh - Cambodia's Capital City
© Photographer: Olira | Agency: Dreamstime.com
By Mike Ibbertson
Getting to Phnom Penh:
Phnom Penh's International Airport, formerly known as Pochentang International Airport, is a very modern facility located 10 kilometres from the centre of the City . It is the larger of Cambodia's two International Airports .As befits the Capital City of Cambodia; Phnom Penh is serviced by the major South East Asia airlines with flights to and from South and South East Asia destinations.
These include Bangkok Airlines and Thai Airways to Bangkok, Lao Airlines to Vientiane, Vietnam Airlines to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Dragon Airlines to Hong Kong, Silk Air to Singapore, Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur, EVA Air to Taipei, Asiana Airlines to Seoul and three Chinese Airlines to Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
Bus services run from Thailand through the border at Poi pet and also from the Vietnamese city of Ho Chi Minh City, crossing the Cambodia-Vietnam border at Moc Bai.
A more exotic mode of transport is the boat ride to Phnom Penh from Char Doc in Vietnam. This route follows the Mekong River.
Getting around
Phnom Penh does not have a local public bus system. Either motorcycle taxis or tuk-tuks are on every corner ready to take the visitor around town. These operators offer a cheap service with the trip from the centre of town to the airport costing $7.
For a quaint and relaxed experience the three wheeled cycle rickshaws offer a slower ride around town.
There is a limited taxi service with taxis mainly available from the cities hotels. Cars are not available for rent and although motor cycles are available for rent it would be a brave person who would want to ride in this heavily congested traffic system.
Entertainment
Evening cruises on the Mekong River. Live Music and the bars and restaurants along the River.
Where to stay
Accommodation in plentiful in Phnom Penh with all travellers catered for from those seeking the $5 per night budget guest house through to the affluent using the increasing number of four and five international hotels. A good cross section of accommodation is located in the Riverside area.
Where to Eat
The Phnom Penh river front along Sisowath Quay is where you need to go if international food and flavour has a special appeal to you. There is a distinctly French influence in the dishes available as well as the traditional Cambodian fare. In addition restaurants with Vietnamese and Thai dishes make this area a true South East Asian dining experience.
What to See
The Royal Place seated on the banks of the Mekong River takes up a whole block and features the Silver Pagoda and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Palace Grounds. Next door to the Royal Palace is the National Museum. The museum houses Angkoran statues and an extensive collection of exhibits from that era. On a more sombre note the Tuol Sieng Genocide Museum displays evidence of Cambodia's horrific past under the rule of Pol Pot.
The Cheoung Ek "Killing Fields" located 15km south of Phnom Penh provides further evidence of the atrocities during the reign of terror. Situated in a field of green is a stupa loaded with layer on layer of human skulls.
Where to shop
The Central market in the Riverfront area sells everything imaginable both inside and on the outside of the art deco styled dome covered area. Also nearby is the Soraya Mall which has several floors of well stocked shops.
Getting to Phnom Penh:
Phnom Penh's International Airport, formerly known as Pochentang International Airport, is a very modern facility located 10 kilometres from the centre of the City . It is the larger of Cambodia's two International Airports .As befits the Capital City of Cambodia; Phnom Penh is serviced by the major South East Asia airlines with flights to and from South and South East Asia destinations.
These include Bangkok Airlines and Thai Airways to Bangkok, Lao Airlines to Vientiane, Vietnam Airlines to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Dragon Airlines to Hong Kong, Silk Air to Singapore, Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur, EVA Air to Taipei, Asiana Airlines to Seoul and three Chinese Airlines to Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
Bus services run from Thailand through the border at Poi pet and also from the Vietnamese city of Ho Chi Minh City, crossing the Cambodia-Vietnam border at Moc Bai.
A more exotic mode of transport is the boat ride to Phnom Penh from Char Doc in Vietnam. This route follows the Mekong River.
Getting around
Phnom Penh does not have a local public bus system. Either motorcycle taxis or tuk-tuks are on every corner ready to take the visitor around town. These operators offer a cheap service with the trip from the centre of town to the airport costing $7.
For a quaint and relaxed experience the three wheeled cycle rickshaws offer a slower ride around town.
There is a limited taxi service with taxis mainly available from the cities hotels. Cars are not available for rent and although motor cycles are available for rent it would be a brave person who would want to ride in this heavily congested traffic system.
Entertainment
Evening cruises on the Mekong River. Live Music and the bars and restaurants along the River.
Where to stay
Accommodation in plentiful in Phnom Penh with all travellers catered for from those seeking the $5 per night budget guest house through to the affluent using the increasing number of four and five international hotels. A good cross section of accommodation is located in the Riverside area.
Where to Eat
The Phnom Penh river front along Sisowath Quay is where you need to go if international food and flavour has a special appeal to you. There is a distinctly French influence in the dishes available as well as the traditional Cambodian fare. In addition restaurants with Vietnamese and Thai dishes make this area a true South East Asian dining experience.
What to See
The Royal Place seated on the banks of the Mekong River takes up a whole block and features the Silver Pagoda and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Palace Grounds. Next door to the Royal Palace is the National Museum. The museum houses Angkoran statues and an extensive collection of exhibits from that era. On a more sombre note the Tuol Sieng Genocide Museum displays evidence of Cambodia's horrific past under the rule of Pol Pot.
The Cheoung Ek "Killing Fields" located 15km south of Phnom Penh provides further evidence of the atrocities during the reign of terror. Situated in a field of green is a stupa loaded with layer on layer of human skulls.
Where to shop
The Central market in the Riverfront area sells everything imaginable both inside and on the outside of the art deco styled dome covered area. Also nearby is the Soraya Mall which has several floors of well stocked shops.
.
Mike Ibbertson is a traveller through South East Asia and through his website http://www.thecambodianadventure.com you can catch up on his adventure through Cambodia.
.
=================
.
=================
Check out this great tour - Cycle Angkor - Cambodia - 4 Days
.
Read More Cool Articles From Cambodia!
.
=======================
